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Dealing with male pattern baldness
Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) is by far the most common cause of hair loss in men and is a serious problem for many women. For it to develop, three important components must come into play: 1. A genetic predisposition to baldness. 2. The presence of male hormones. 3. Aging – enough time for the first two factors to occur. Despite widespread perception, familial patterns of baldness are not completely reliable as predictors of future hair loss. The fact that your parents or grandparents showed a particular pattern does not guarantee that your hair loss progression will be the same. However, if your father was completely bald...
Dealing with male pattern baldness
Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) is by far the most common cause of hair loss in men and is a serious problem for many women. In order for it to develop, three important components must come into play:
1. A genetic predisposition to baldness.
2. The presence of male hormones.
3. Aging – enough time for the first two factors to occur.
Despite widespread perception, familial patterns of baldness are not completely reliable as predictors of future hair loss. The fact that your parents or grandparents showed a particular pattern does not guarantee that your hair loss progression will be the same. However, if your father was completely bald and you lose hair excessively at an early age, you can expect to develop extensive baldness.
All normal men and women produce male hormones such as testosterone and DHT. These hormones play useful roles in both sexes, but it is the fact that androgens occur in much higher concentrations in men that explains why this type of hair loss is more common in men.
The effect of these hormones on hair follicles is as follows:
1. High levels of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase occur in cells of the hair follicle.
2. This enzyme converts testosterone into DHT.
3. DHT causes the robust end hairs to be miniaturized.
4. This leaves soft, fine hair that provides poor scalp coverage.
5. The growth phase becomes shorter until these soft hairs are finally lost.
Excessive hair loss can occur at any age and can even stop, only to start all over again. As time progresses, the process of hair loss accelerates, leading to its logical conclusion.
Understanding this process helps explain how currently available treatments for male pattern baldness work. Propecia is one of only two FDA-approved hair loss treatments and disrupts the process described above. In short, Propecia inhibits the formation of DHT in the system, thereby slowing and ultimately stopping the adverse effects of DHT on the hair follicle.
Most non-drug, commercially manufactured products work on a similar basis, using natural ingredients that attempt to interfere with the production of DHT. Currently the most popular natural ingredient is saw palmetto, although some products combine this with other herbs such as pygeum, nettle and green tea.
To learn more about this and other treatments for male pattern baldness, visit the website listed below.
Inspired by Richard Mitchell