Male baldness or androgenic alopecia is the most common cause for male hair loss. But there are many possible causes for hair loss among which: systemic and local diseases, medication, stress, surgery, et cetera.
It is known that hair has been traditionally associated with youth and virility. Therefore, hair loss in men can lead to great stress and psychological alterations which affect both personal and professional life.
Hair loss in male androgenic alopecia is gradual and progressive affecting the front line, mid scalp (top of head) and vertex (crown).
Scientific studies suggest that in androgenic alopecia there is a genetic predisposition in certain regions of the head where the hair follicles present an increased sensitivity to the DHT hormone (di-hydro-testosterone).
95% of men with baldness is due to androgenetic alopecia
50-80% of men suffer or may suffer from androgenetic baldness
30% of men between the ages of 30 and 40 suffer from androgenetic baldness
40% of men between the ages of 40 and 50 suffer from androgenetic baldness
50% of men between 50 and 60 years old suffer from androgenetic baldness
More than 80% of men aged 80+ suffer from androgenetic baldness
The testosterone is converted in DHT by an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase type II. After this transformation the DHT bonds to a specific androgen receptor (sexual hormones) . In individuals with genetic predisposition to baldness, this bond favours the miniaturisation of hair in the top region of the scalp and the hairs start becoming thinner and thinner, take longer to grow and fall sooner. This process known as miniaturization of hair progresses until the characteristics that define the hair as “terminal” (colour, thickness) are lost, becoming hair of the type “vellus”.
Androgenic alopecia has no cure. In the early stages we can treat with medication to try to maintain the existing hair or as a preventive measure in patients with predisposition to baldness.
However once baldness starts taking place, the only possible and definitive solution is hair transplantation.
