Androgenetic Alopecia is the most common form of hair loss in men, but is also surprisingly common in women,
affecting up to 40% of women by the age of 65. Often known as Male or Female Pattern Baldness, it results when:
1. Hair loss occurs at an abnormally high rate;
2. Hair replacement occurs at an abnormally slow rate;
3. Normal hairs are replaced by smaller, thinner hairs, called “miniaturisation”
Androgenetic Alopecia affects nearly 30% of men before they reach the age of 30, and 50% of males over the age of
50.
More surprisingly, it also affects 40% of women over the age of 50. The causes of Androgenetic Alopecia are to this day still
not completely understood although, as its name suggests, it is widely thought to involve both hormonal (androgen) and genetic
causes. Of the many hormones that regulate hair on the scalp, Androgens have the largest effect.
Many women find that the hair on their head is thinning during menopause or pregnancy- this is due to changes in the levels of
the chemical Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp.
In men, DHT is very important for reaching maturity; it is DHT that causes body and facial hair to begin growing. Later in life
however, these same Androgens (primarily DHT) are responsible for the reduction in sise of the follicles in the scalp.
The longer the hair follicle is kept in the presence of DHT, the more miniaturised the follicle becomes and the hair itself
becomes shorter and thinner. DHT also increases the rate of hair loss by signaling to the hair to reach Telogen phase sooner,
so as well as the hair miniaturisation more hair is lost; these factors combined give noticeable thinning hair.
As the follicles are forced to reach Telogen sooner, the Anagen (growth phase) becomes shorter, meaning more hairs are lost. If
treatment is not administered, this process continues, the follicles progressively become shorter and less visible, and some
will eventually die.
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