WHAT IS MALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS?
Androgenic Alopecia, also known as Male Pattern Hair Loss, is a condition that affects all men at some point as the get older. Most white men develop some degree of baldness, according to their age and genetics. Male pattern baldness affects up to half of all white men by the age of 50 years and up to 80% of men in the same group by the age of 70 years. Other ethnic groups, such as Chinese and Japanese, are less affected.
Hair Loss in men begins manifesting with the miniaturization of the hair follicle and it is generally known to be related to hormones in both males and females.
It is important to understand, that each hair on your head lives in a small hole called a follicle. Most of the time, the size of the follicle remains the same, and normal hair continues to grow from it. However, in cases of male pattern hair loss, for some reason, the follicle shrinks. The end result of this is shorter, finer hair, or no hair growth at all.
At some point, even though the hair follicle itself will remain alive and open in-spite of its smaller size, hair simply stops growing.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MALE HAIR LOSS?
Gradual thinning on top of head
This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting both men and women as they age. In men, hair often begins to recede from the forehead in a line that resembles the letter M.
Circular or patchy bald spots
Some people experience smooth, coin-sized bald spots. This type of hair loss usually affects just the scalp, but it sometimes also occurs in beards or eyebrows. In some cases, your skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.
Sudden loosening of hair
A physical or emotional shock can cause hair to loosen. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging. This type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning and not bald patches.
Full-body hair loss
Some conditions and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer, can result in the loss of hair all over your body. The hair usually grows back.
Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp
This is a sign of ringworm. It may be accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling and, at times, oozing.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF MALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS?
Men normally lose their hair when three main factors interact: genetics, age, and hormones. Androgenetic alopecia, male-pattern baldness happens as hormone levels change over the course of a man’s life.
These factors contribute to the gradual shrinkage of the tiny cavities in the skin at the base of hairs, known as scalp hair follicles. Hair grows progressively shorter and finer until no new hairs grow.
As noted, male pattern hair loss is mainly due to hormonal changes. In particular, a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can become imbalanced. Too much DHT in the scalp can lead to a shortened anagen phase, which will lead to reduced production of hairs. The hairs that continue to grow will be much finer.
The chances of developing male pattern hair loss are significantly increased if someone else in your family has experienced the condition.
Hair Loss
Diagnosis
Here at DHI Global Medical Group we recognize that the correct diagnosis is the basis for a successful treatment. We are the best hair restoration clinic in Panama.
