Male Pattern Baldness
Androgenetic Alopecia causes 95% of all hair loss. It can affect both men and women although generally men experience a much greater loss. In women it appears as diffuse hair loss, occurring over most of the scalp. But in men, the pattern of loss usually starts with a receding hairline, followed by thinning on the top of the head.
Causes
As far back as 400 BC Hippocrates noticed that eunuchs did not become bald. Aristotle also noticed this. Dr James Hamilton concluded in the 1940s that genetic predisposition in the presence of the male hormone androgen where the factors that caused Androgenetic Alopecia to develop.
Today it is known that it is the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), converted from the enzyme testosterone by the enzymes 5 alpha reductase, that contributes to Androgenetic Alopecia in those who are genetically predisposed. Individuals with a deficiency in 5 alpha reductase interestingly do not develop Androgenetic Alopecia. This is a result of the body's inability to convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone.
When Androgenetic Alopecia occurs, larger active hair follicles in certain areas begin to shrink slightly and become less active with each new growth cycle. The enzyme 5 alpha reductase is believed to be the major cause of this. Under the influence of this enzyme the male hormone, testosterone, becomes dihydrotestosterone. This then causes narrowing of the hair shafts, producing finer hairs with each new growth cycle. Eventually the hairs become transparent and stop growing. An individual with androgenetic alopecia may have normal overall levels of testosterone. However, the activity of 5 alpha reductase is far greater than normal. This results in increased amounts of dihydrotestosterone in the hair follicle.
Treatments
- Minoxydil
- Propecia (finasteride)
- Retin-A / Tretinoin
- Zinc
- Skinoren / Azelaic Acid
- Saw Palmetto Extract
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