Male pattern baldness, also referred to as androgenic alopecia, is a genetic condition that, according to the American Hair Loss Association, affects approximately 66% of men to some degree by the age of 35. Sparse hair growth, receding hairlines, and bald patches are all characteristic of androgenic alopecia. Despite the prevalence of this condition and the fact that, medically speaking, hereditary hair loss is harmless, it can have a significant impact on a man’s self-esteem, potentially impeding his personal and professional success.
What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?
Male pattern baldness is caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen hormone that weakens the growth cycle of hair, resulting in the reduction of hair follicles. Initially, as the hair follicles shrink, they produce finer hair. Over time, as the hair’s growth cycle ends, no new hair is produced to replace it.