Male hair loss is a very common occurrence. The main reason for it is the development of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) formed by the chemical reaction between enzyme 5-alpha reductase and testosterone. DHT arrests the growth of hair follicles, resulting in hair loss in men. This condition is called ‘Male Pattern Baldness’ or ‘Androgenic Alopecia’, and while studies are still trying to determine which side of the family it is inherited from, there is a strong leaning towards the X chromosome.
The usual pattern of this condition is first the development of a receding hairline and then the thinning of the hair at the crown. Eventually these two areas meet to form an M shaped area that encompasses the sides and the top of the head. What has interested scientists for a long time is how this condition spreads gradually, with the hair in the unaffected areas remaining lustrous and strong in contrast to the hair immediately surrounding the receding hairline.
Causes
DHT is a major cause of male hair loss. It becomes active during the early stages of puberty. The same processes that result in the production of testosterone and the development of androgens during maturity also interfere with the functions of the follicles a few years down the line. It is also interesting to note that both testosterone and DHT affect different areas of the body, with testosterone mainly affecting pubic hair growth and DHT influencing the hair growth on the upper torso, face and scalp.
Hair loss can also be caused by aging which is brought about by the natural depletion of the body’s resources. But again this does not follow a universal timeline and instead is strongly influenced by the combination of a man’s genes and his hormones. The fact that the interaction of all these three factors leads to male pattern baldness has been clinically proven, but the extent to which each of these is responsible and therefore needs to be controlled is yet to be determined.
Treatment
The FDA approved Propecia is the fastest way to halt male hair loss. But this drug has several shortcomings which include severe side effects in some and a reversal of the progress if the ingestion is stopped. Propecia works by reducing the levels of DHT formed around the follicles thereby preventing any further damage. It might however affect a man’s libido and has also been found to cause erectile dysfunction in a few cases. However, this has been found to occur in less than 2% of all Propecia takers and disappear when the medication is stopped.
Apart from allopathic medicines, there are also a number of herbal and natural remedies that are very effective in controlling hair fall and cause no side effects. The only downside is that these take longer to arrest the hair fall. Vitamin and dietary supplements, as well as supplements of fish oil, saw palmetto, nettle roots, rosemary and sage, and even applications of henna, aloe vera and jojoba oil have all been found to be effective in cleansing the scalp and nourishing the follicles.
There was a point of time when male hair loss was equated with the loss of one’s virility and the onset of old age. But not any more! Now being bald can easily pass off as a fashion statement or can be camouflaged with hair implants, scalp reductions and flap surgery. Though these are expensive procedures, they do give one the hope that baldness does not have to be a lifelong trauma.