Male Hair Loss
The most common form of hair loss in men is male pattern baldness. This is commonly identified as thinning hair which occurs around the crown
of the head, or as a receding hair line. Did you know that a staggering 50% of men will suffer from hair loss by the time they reach 50?
So, what are the hair loss causes? In men, a chemical called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) builds up around the hair follicle and eventually kills
it. Some men are more resistant to DHT which explains why some men go bald, and others do not. If you have family members, from either side of
your family, who suffer from male hair loss, the chances are high that you will too.
It is important to understand how DHT affects your hair, in order to get a better understanding of male hair loss. Hair growth is cyclical. It
begins in the (1) Anagen phase, which is the growth period and can last anywhere from about two years to six years. In the Anagen phase, the hair
follicle is strong and deep. The following phase is the transitional (2) Catagen phase, which only lasts a few weeks. It is in this phase that
the base of the follicle will begin to shrink. Next is the (3) Telogen phase, which is a resting period lasting anywhere from two to four
months. The follicle will continue to shrink in this phase. The cycle now begins all over again with the (4) Anagen growth phase, where old
hair will fall out, and new hair will replace it.
The DHT affects the Anagen growth phase, and is believed to shorten this phase. It directly attacks the hair follicle, and causes it to
shrink, which leads to male pattern baldness. It is important to remember that hair loss is progressive, and the sooner you begin treatment, the
better.
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