We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Beauty

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Male Baldness?

By Max Johnson
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,667
Share

The most common type of baldness is male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). It may begin in the teenage years, and becomes more common as men age. The pattern of hair loss is predictable. The hairline begins to recede at the temple, then the hair at the top of the head thins out. After a period of time, the crown area may become completely bald, leaving hair around the back and on the sides of the head only.

Male baldness affects well over one-half of the adult male population, and is so common that some degree of hair loss is considered normal in adult males. Hair loss is caused by a combination of heredity, hormones, and age. Men with high levels of the hormone DHT (dihydrotesterone) tend to lose their hair at higher rates than those with lover levels. However, heredity plays a large part in determining hair loss, and it is due to a sex-linked characteristic that is passed from parent to child. As a rule, a man can more accurately predict his chances of developing male baldness by looking at his mother's father rather than his own.

There are a variety of treatments for male baldness:

Drugs In January 1990 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of all nonprescription hair-loss products. Two prescription drugs have emerged to treat male baldness:

  • Minoxidil (Rogaine) — This is a solution that is applied directly to the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles. It slows hair loss for some men, while growing new hair in others.
  • Finasteride (Propecia) — This is a pill that inhibits the production of DHT. With this treatment, men are likely to have slower hair loss than actual new hair growth. It appears to be somewhat more effective than minoxidil.

The previous degree of hair loss returns when either of these treatments is stopped.

Hair Transplants In this surgical procedure, plugs of hair are taken from areas where hair is continuing to grow and placed in areas that are bald. Minor scarring can occur in the donor areas and there is a small risk of skin infection. The procedure usually requires multiple sessions and can be very expensive. The results, however, are excellent and permanent.

Prosthetic Hair Replacement Toupees and hairpieces are a third alternative for male baldness. The quality and appearance of toupees has improved over the years, and there are many hairpieces available that mimic the color and texture of real hair.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-male-baldness.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.