Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness commonly refers to the receding hairline and loss of hair in the crown or lower portion of the head. Hair loss in men can be traced to genetics. If your grandfather's side of the family, your grandmother's side of the family, your father's side of the family or your mother's side of the family experienced male pattern baldness, chances are that you will also inherit this not so flattering trait.

Androgenetic Alopecia or simply male pattern baldness (MPB) is the most common type of hair loss that occurs in men. It is a condition that is inherited from either side of the family. What is inherited is a certain pattern of hair distribution, in which the hair is sensitive to the presence of a male hormone breakdown product (DHT). After puberty, the male hormone testosterone surges, hence DHT surges. Under the influence of DHT the hair is progressively miniaturized until it is just fine hair without pigment or vellus hair. This state where the pigmented thick hairs are converted to villus invisible hairs is the common bald state in men.

The incidence of baldness in men increases with age. The percent of men 25 to 30 years of age is 25%. The rate increases to 40% of the men aged 40 and 50% of men aged 50 years or older.

Learn more about the effects of crowning in hair restoration.