Male pattern baldness is a very common condition. It can present itself any time after puberty, and it generally begins with the recession of hair around the temples. Approximately 96% of Caucasian men will experience this level of hair loss, and it often does not lead to further thinning of the hair.
The advent of male pattern baldness is determined by a combination of hereditary and hormonal factors. People can inherit the tendency for baldness from either their mother or their father. The actual loss of hair is triggered by the rise of androgens. Androgens are hormones, specifically testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Accumulation of DHT in the hair follicle and root is specifically responsible for the advent of baldness. Cellular receptors have a particular affinity to DHT. When DHT binds to a cell, it enters the nucleus, altering the DNA’s production of protein. Ultimately, this process causes the hair follicle to shrivel and stop growing.
As DHT affects the hair follicle, the mature growth ( or Anagen) stage and regrowth stage of the hair become shorter. The hair itself becomes progressively smaller in length and diameter until it ultimately disappears. The follicle, however, remains viable, and in some cases can be stimulated with medical treatments to restart hair growth.
This form of baldness is referred to as male pattern baldness because it specifically affects the hair on the top and front of the scalp. Hairs in these areas that have this inherent condition are affected by DHT. Hair on the back and sides of the scalp is not affected by this hormone, and as such, is less likely to thin.
Norwood-Hamilton Scale of Male Pattern Baldness
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