Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss. It usually starts to happen around the late 20s - 30s although this can vary. By the age of 60, most men have some degree of hair loss. In male-pattern baldness hair loss tends to follow a set pattern. The first stage is usually a receding hairline, followed by thinning of the hair on the crown and temples. When these two areas meet in the middle, a horseshoe shape of hair remains around the back and sides of the head. Eventually, complete baldness may occur.
Despite its name, this condition can also occur in women. However, women tend to lose hair from the top of the head. This usually gets more noticeable after the menopause.
Male pattern baldness is hereditary, which means that you are more likely to develop baldness if there is a history of baldness in the family. Male pattern baldness is thought to be due to over-sensitivity of hair follicles to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of the male hormone testosterone. Increased sensitivity to DHT causes the follicles to shrink, so the hair becomes thinner and grows for less time than normal. The balding process is gradual because different follicles are affected at different times.
Alopecia areata is another hair loss disorder. It is characterised by patches of baldness that are about the size of a large coin. They usually appear on the scalp but can occur anywhere on the body, including the beard, eyebrows and eyelashes.
Alopecia areata is thought to be caused by an auto-immune disorder. The hair follicles are not permanently damaged and in many of these cases the hair grows back in a few months. In 1 in 5 cases there is a family history of alopecia areata.
Other conditions causing hair loss include:
- Severe illness
- Anaemia
- Stress including bereavement
- Fungal infections such as scalp ringworm
- Chemotherapy
- Thyroid disorders
- Trauma to the scalp
- Pregnancy and childbirth can cause temporary hair loss in some women.
Hair loss is not caused by a lack of vitamins in the diet
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