There are a number of different reasons why men lose hair. Some hair loss can be caused by the stress created from a particular hairstyle, like tight braids or ponytails. Some can be the result of illness or stress. And some hair loss is caused by hormone problems such as a thyroid condition. But the vast majority of hair loss in men between the ages of 20 and 50 is the result ofmale pattern baldness.
There are between 100,000 and 150,000 hairs on the average human head. These hairs grow from hair follicles, a sheath like construction that contains the hair as well as supporting structures to provide nourishment for the hair. The hair growth cycle consists of a growth phase and a resting phase. At any one time about 90 % of hair is in the growth phase, which lasts from 2 to 5 years; and the other 10% is in the resting phase, which lasts from 2 to 4 months. When the resting phase is over, the hair in that follicle falls out and is replaced by a new hair. On a normal day about 100 hairs a day are lost. When this loss occurs at an elevated rate, or the growth cycle is shortened, balding results.
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While there are unknowns about the cause of male pattern baldness, it does seem to follow a familiar course. Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is just that: hair loss in men that follows a pattern. Approximately 25% of men begin going bald by age 30 while 66% begin by age 60. Typically balding starts at the temples and, or the crown of the head, and continues receding until the hair on top part of the head is completely lost. The thinning process can last for several years and will occasionally result in the complete loss of head hair - but usually ends up in the familiar horseshoe shaped hair one often sees.
The culprit in this genetically controlled disorder appears to be the effect of an enzyme on male hormones, which disrupts the function of hair follicles. The enzyme 5-alpha reductase causes the male hormone testosterone to convert into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT acts on the follicles hormone receptor cells in a way that causes them to shrink, and gradually produce finer and shorter hairs until production stops altogether. The growth cycle will gradually shorten so that more hairs than normal are shed. There are high levels of testosterone in males after puberty, which increase the size of follicles in other body areas leading to pubic and facial hair; but for some men, it operates in the opposite way with some of the follicles on the head.
While at one time it was believed that the mother's side of the family decided someone's eventual baldness fate: it can come from either side of one's parentage. All factors involving one's pattern hair loss - the onset of baldness, the pattern of it, and the speed with which it progresses appear to be genetically predetermined. Those who experience the onset of balding earliest in life, tend to be the one's who wind up with the most extensive hair loss.
There are approved remedies available for hair loss, which have produced positive results in some men. Minoxidil is a topical medication used originally to treat high blood pressure, and used by many to stop male pattern baldness, and promote new growth. It has a very high success rate in stopping hair loss (90%) and can grow new hair in about 20% of those who use it. Its use must be continued, or hair loss will resume, and all new hair will fall out. It is available in both 2% and 5% solutions.
Finasteride - which is an oral medication originally prescribed for enlarged prostates - is now used to treat male pattern baldness. It blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT, and so prevents the effect of DHT on hair follicles. It has been shown to effectively stop hair loss and for some men, and to help them grow new hair. It too must be continued for life. Also, finasteride should not be taken or handled by women of childbearing age, as it has been proven to cause birth defects.
At the present time these are the only 2 medications with FDA approval for the treatment of male pattern baldness. There are others that are under consideration and that are being tested. Research continues to find even better treatments for male pattern baldness.
Tag : male pattern baldness,baldness,hair loss,specifics
There are between 100,000 and 150,000 hairs on the average human head. These hairs grow from hair follicles, a sheath like construction that contains the hair as well as supporting structures to provide nourishment for the hair. The hair growth cycle consists of a growth phase and a resting phase. At any one time about 90 % of hair is in the growth phase, which lasts from 2 to 5 years; and the other 10% is in the resting phase, which lasts from 2 to 4 months. When the resting phase is over, the hair in that follicle falls out and is replaced by a new hair. On a normal day about 100 hairs a day are lost. When this loss occurs at an elevated rate, or the growth cycle is shortened, balding results.
.
While there are unknowns about the cause of male pattern baldness, it does seem to follow a familiar course. Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is just that: hair loss in men that follows a pattern. Approximately 25% of men begin going bald by age 30 while 66% begin by age 60. Typically balding starts at the temples and, or the crown of the head, and continues receding until the hair on top part of the head is completely lost. The thinning process can last for several years and will occasionally result in the complete loss of head hair - but usually ends up in the familiar horseshoe shaped hair one often sees.
The culprit in this genetically controlled disorder appears to be the effect of an enzyme on male hormones, which disrupts the function of hair follicles. The enzyme 5-alpha reductase causes the male hormone testosterone to convert into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT acts on the follicles hormone receptor cells in a way that causes them to shrink, and gradually produce finer and shorter hairs until production stops altogether. The growth cycle will gradually shorten so that more hairs than normal are shed. There are high levels of testosterone in males after puberty, which increase the size of follicles in other body areas leading to pubic and facial hair; but for some men, it operates in the opposite way with some of the follicles on the head.
While at one time it was believed that the mother's side of the family decided someone's eventual baldness fate: it can come from either side of one's parentage. All factors involving one's pattern hair loss - the onset of baldness, the pattern of it, and the speed with which it progresses appear to be genetically predetermined. Those who experience the onset of balding earliest in life, tend to be the one's who wind up with the most extensive hair loss.
There are approved remedies available for hair loss, which have produced positive results in some men. Minoxidil is a topical medication used originally to treat high blood pressure, and used by many to stop male pattern baldness, and promote new growth. It has a very high success rate in stopping hair loss (90%) and can grow new hair in about 20% of those who use it. Its use must be continued, or hair loss will resume, and all new hair will fall out. It is available in both 2% and 5% solutions.
Finasteride - which is an oral medication originally prescribed for enlarged prostates - is now used to treat male pattern baldness. It blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT, and so prevents the effect of DHT on hair follicles. It has been shown to effectively stop hair loss and for some men, and to help them grow new hair. It too must be continued for life. Also, finasteride should not be taken or handled by women of childbearing age, as it has been proven to cause birth defects.
At the present time these are the only 2 medications with FDA approval for the treatment of male pattern baldness. There are others that are under consideration and that are being tested. Research continues to find even better treatments for male pattern baldness.
Tag : male pattern baldness,baldness,hair loss,specifics
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