You are here: Home » About Hair Loss » Male Pattern Baldness

Male Pattern Baldness

There are a number of causes of hair loss. The most common cause of hair loss in men is Androgenetic Alopecia or Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL).

male_pattern_baldnessMale Pattern Hair Loss is caused by the effects of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on genetically susceptible scalp hair follicles that are located in the front, top and crown areas of the scalp. This can be inherited from the mother or father

DHT (a testosterone derivative) attacks hair follicles. The hormone causes hair loss by decreasing the growth phase of the hair cycle, causing miniaturization (shrinking) of the follicles. The hair becomes shorter, weaker, and thinner until it stops growing completely.

In Androgenetic Alopecia, Hair loss is progressive throughout our lifetimes. The effects tend to be exhibited in 2 key areas:

  1. Receding hairline
  2. Thinning crown

Eventually these will join up to leave the top of the head bald.

However, on the back and sides of the head, the follicles are immune to the effects of DHT and hair is therefore programmed to grow for life. A hair transplant procedure works to relocate those "lifetime hairs" to the top of the head in the affected areas, i.e. reconstructing the hairline, crown or the top of the head.

Typical Progression of Hair Loss

These diagrams chart typical progress of hair loss.

  • STAGE 1 - The first sign of the onset of Male Pattern Hair Loss is when frontal recessions begin to appear in the hairline.
  • STAGE 2 - Over time these recessions become larger and much more noticeable, and the hairline moves further back.
  • STAGE 3 - Independently or at the same time frontal recession is occurring, a thinning area may appear on the crown which will gradually increase in size.
  • STAGE 4 - The final stage of Male Pattern Hair Loss is when the hair is lost completely from the crown and frontal region, and leaving the familiar horse shoe shape.

Hair loss can be precisely categorised by one of our consultants using the Norwood Classification Scale.

Irreversible Process

It is important to understand that male hair loss is in itself progressive and irreversible. We are born with a finite number of hair follicles and once they cease production of hair, that process is programmed to not resume.

However, hair loss is treatable. According to your hair loss, our expert team can recommend treatment plans tailor-made to suit your needs. These may include hair transplant surgery, laser therapy, medication or a combination of techniques.