Male Hair Loss Causes & Treatment Options

Crown Hair Loss Information & Treatment Options

Male Hair Loss
Causes and Treatment Options

Male pattern hair loss is a typical pattern of hair loss in men that is caused by genetics and hormones. Approximately 95 percent of all men who suffer some degree of hair loss do so because of male pattern baldness otherwise known as androgenetic alopecia.

Male pattern hair loss affects nearly 50 million men in the United States, says the American Academy of Dermatology. Approximately 20 percent of the white male population experiences hair loss in their 20s. That percentage rate increases by 10 points for every decade. Other authoritative sources say that 3 in 5 men will be affected by male pattern baldness by the time they reach their 50s.

In the 1940s, an anatomist by the name of Dr. James Hamilton published two papers in which he observed that hair loss was dependant on 3 factors: male hormones, genetic predisposition and age. The most important of these 3 factors being androgens, the male hormone. However, it wasn't until the 1970s or 80s that scientists fully understood exactly how male hormones caused baldness. With advancements in technology, they were able to observe that in some hair follicles, an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase combined with testosterone produced dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This DHT is harmful to hair follices and "attacks" it, slowly breaking it down, reducing the diameter and length, so that the hair follicle becomes smaller and smaller while the color fades away. This kind of hair is known as vellous hair. Soon, this vellous hair will fall out and will not be replaced by new hair.

In men with MPHL all the hairs in a DHT affected area may eventually (but not necessarily) become involved in the process and may with time cover the region with fine (vellus) hair. Pigment (color) production is also terminated with miniaturization so the fine hair becomes lighter in color. The lighter color, miniaturized hairs cause the area to first appear thin. - American Hair Loss Council

In men, hair that grows near the temple region, front, vertex (top) and crown (back top of head where it starts to go in a 90 degree angle toward the neck) are most susceptible to DHT. Hair on the back and sides of the head (above the ear but below te top, are the LEAST susceptible to hair loss.

Male pattern hair loss usually begins in the temple region or the crown. From there, the hair on top of the head starts to thin out and the two bald regions can meet. See the Norwood Hair Loss Chart.

One of the myths surrounding male pattern hair loss is that it is inherited trait from your mother's father. This is not true. Nor is it true that clogged pores, poor blood circulation, lack of oxygen to the follices and vitamin deficiency (only when you are dying of scurvy is this true) - cause hair loss in men. Hair follices, as does all living tissue, receives it's oxygen from the bloodstream. And if poor blood circulation where true, then not only would the hair fall out, but the scalp would start to disintegrate as well.

Besides dismissing these common myths during your investigation of male pattern hair loss, you should also come to understand the typical hair growth cycle which takes place in three stages. Hair grows from its follicle at an average rate of a 1/2 inch per month. Each hair grows for 2 to 6 years, then rests, and then falls out. A new hair soon begins growing in its place. At any one time, about 85% of the hair is growing and 15% is resting.

The psychological impact of male pattern hair loss can cause serious damage to a man's self esteem and confidence.

"There is a societal pressure to have a full head of hair. Many studies show that there are psychosocial ramifications when one has hair loss," says Amy McMichael, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.(1)

"The reason has to do as much with a young man's perception of his own well-being as with his self-esteem or vanity. It also has to do with stereotyping — a young man with a mop of hair is often seen as fitter, more attractive and desirable than one whose hair is going or gone," Dr. McMichael says. "Certainly, hair is looked at as a measure of health, a measure of success and youth in our society." (1)

Established Treatment Options for Male Pattern Hair Loss

1. Learn to live with hair loss.
2. Hair Transplants
3. Hair Loss Surgery
4. Minoxidil
5. Finasteride
6. Dutasteride
7. Hair replacement systems.

Scam Watch

The internet is a great place to find information about hair loss and treatment options. It can also be a very bad place to find out more about about treatment options. 21st Century snake oil salesmen from all over the world are selling bogus mircale hair loss cures and raking in millions of dollars. Americans should be careful when selecting all natural products insinuating that it is a sure-fire cure for hair loss.

"...the most important thing to remember is not to be suckered into unproven hair treatments during a time of vulnerability". He (Kobren) pointed out, from his own experiences, 'that many highly touted hair loss treatments don't work.' After spending lots of time and money, he discovered the result is disappointment and continued hair loss." (2)

HairLossLibrary.com has put together an extensive 6 page report detailing the tactics and phony claims hair loss treatment snake oil salesmen use to lure in their victims. Read more about Hair Loss Treatment Scams.

SOURCES:
(1) The Bald Truth About Hair Loss In Young Men, Stephanie Whyche, InteliHealth News Service. Aug, 2002.
(2) Spencer David Kobren, author of the Bald Truth, during an interview.

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Male Hair Loss Causes and Treatment Options

Male Hair Loss
Causes and Treatment Options