.png)
Understanding Androgenic Alopecia (Male Pattern Baldness): Causes, Symptoms, and A Non-Surgical Treatment
Androgenic alopecia, also referred to as male pattern baldness or androgenic baldness, is a common form of hair loss affecting millions of men worldwide. Male pattern baldness can significantly impact one’s self-esteem, confidence, and quality of life, making it important to understand its causes, symptoms, and one very popular non-surgical solution that is safe, easy, and pain-free and delivers natural looking results--literally overnight.
Causes of Male Pattern Baldness
Androgenic alopecia is primarily driven by a combination of genetic factors and hormonal changes.
Genetics: Genetic makeup plays a big role in male pattern baldness. A male who has a history of baldness in his family is more likely to experience androgenic baldness than someone who has no history of baldness in his family.
Hormones: The hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a key factor in male pattern baldness. DHT is derived from testosterone and affects a male’s hair follicles by shrinking them, which leads to shorter and finer strands of hair. Over time, this can result in the hair follicles becoming inactive and no longer producing hair.
Age: As men age, the likelihood of experiencing male pattern baldness increases. Hormonal changes and the cumulative effects of DHT on hair follicles over time contribute to this process4.
Other Factors: While genetics and hormones are the primary causes, other factors such as stress, nutritional deficiencies, some medications, and certain medical conditions can also contribute to hair loss.
Symptoms of Androgenic Alopecia in Men
For men, hair loss typically begins at the temples and crown, progressing to a more extensive baldness pattern.
Receding Hairline: The hairline gradually moves back and the hairline takes the shape of the letter “M”.
Thinning at the Crown: Hair loss starts at the top of the head or “crown” and spreads outward toward the ears
Overall Thinning: Hair becomes thinner and finer, eventually leading to bald spots.
Progressive Hair Loss: The hair loss progresses over time, potentially leading to complete baldness on the top of the scalp while leaving a ring of hair around the sides and back of the head.
Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatment
Understanding the causes and symptoms of androgenic alopecia can help men who are exploring safe, non-surgical, hair loss solutions that result in a full head of hair that matches the color, density, and curl of their natural hair. Thursday’s Calabasas, a leader in non-surgical hair replacement solutions since 2002, designs and creates natural-looking, custom-made hair systems that are made with human hair-- helping people with male pattern baldness, female pattern hair loss, complete hair loss, alopecia, or thinning hair regain their confidence, look younger, and feel great. Visit our Hair Loss FAQs page or our Non-Surgical Hair Replacement for Men page to learn more.