Male pattern baldness is a topic near and dear to many men. Actually, it’s a topic that most men — specifically 85% of all men — will become familiar with at some point in their lives.
Unfortunately, however, it’s a topic that’s still shrouded in myth, misconception and misunderstanding. With so much confusion, it’s no wonder that many men lack answers to even the most basic questions regarding hair loss.
Here are the top 5 most common hair loss questions — and of course, their answers.
No. 1: What causes male pattern baldness?
Male pattern baldness (or androgenic alopecia) is largely a genetic disorder. It arises in some men because they are genetically predisposed to having higher levels of 5-alpha reductase in their bodies. 5-alpha reductase is an enzyme that converts the male hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT shrinks hair follicle cells over time resulting in thinner hair. As DHT accumulates, hair gradually thins until it is lost entirely in certain areas.
No. 2: Who did I get my hair loss genes from?
For decades, a myth has perpetuated that hair loss genes were only passed down from the mother’s side of the family. In truth, however, how we inherit our baldness from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family. We can’t just blame this one on mum, guys.
No. 3: What age will I start to lose my hair?
Because of the complex number of factors involved in male pattern baldness, the age at which it strikes will vary between men. Generally speaking, about 25% of men will begin balding before the age of 21. By the age of 35, about 66% of men will experience some degree of hair loss. Finally, by the age of 50, approximately 85% of men will have significantly thinning hair.
No. 4: How much hair will I lose?
The amount of hair you lose and where the hair is lost varies considerably from one guy to the next. The typical pattern of male baldness begins at the hairline. The hairline gradually recedes, forming an M-shaped pattern. Eventually the hair becomes finer, shorter and thinner, creating a horseshoe pattern of hair around the sides of the head. But, not all men will suffer severe hair loss. The amount you lose depends again on various genetic and environmental factors.
No. 5: Does stress influence hair loss?
Stress tends to influence a type of hair loss that is distinct from male pattern baldness. Severe emotional or physical stress, as well as chronic stress, may lead to a sudden and rapid shedding of the hair. Medically, this is known as telogen effluvium. Hair that is lost in this way will typically regrow in a few months, unlike hair that is lost due to traditional balding. Scientists are just now exploring whether acute or chronic stress influences male pattern baldness.
