Episode 3: Male Pattern Hair Loss: Causes, Stages and Effective Solutions for Regrowth
Hair is often considered our crowning glory—a symbol of youth, beauty, and vitality. Across cultures, people associate thick, healthy hair with confidence and good health. It's natural to want to look and feel your best; for many, a full head of hair plays a vital role in that image.
However, as time passes, many men notice their hair thinning or receding. This common condition is Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL) or Androgenic Alopecia. It affects around 30 to 50% of men by age 50. While it might seem like just a cosmetic issue, it can have a deep emotional impact, affecting self-esteem, causing stress, and sometimes even leading to anxiety or depression. (PRIYADHARSHINI MAHENDRA VARMAN, 2018 )
Hair loss happens when the normal hair growth cycle is disrupted. Hair grows in four main phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (rest), and exogen (shedding). Most hair stays in the growth phase for years in a healthy scalp. However, this phase is shortened with male pattern hair loss, and more hairs shift into the resting or shedding phases too early.
On average, people shed about 100 hairs daily, but this number increases noticeably in the early stages of hair loss. Over time, if the hair follicle becomes damaged, it may stop growing new hair altogether. (Nicholas Sadgrove, 2023)
What’s happening beneath the surface is the first step to finding ways to manage or treat hair loss.
What is Male pattern Hair Loss?
Male-pattern hair loss, also called androgenetic alopecia, is men's most common type of hair loss. It affects up to 80% of men by the age of 80. This condition occurs due to a combination of genetics and male hormones (androgens).
Hair loss usually follows a pattern—starting with thinning at the temples and the top of the head (crown), while the hair on the back and sides of the scalp often stays. Over time, this creates the typical "horseshoe" shape of the remaining hair. (Francesca Lolli, 2017)
This hair loss happens gradually and can start in the late teens or early twenties. Although it's not harmful to health, it can cause emotional stress, lower self-confidence, and affect how a person feels about their appearance. (Katherine York, 2020)
What happened in Androgenic Alopecia?
Male pattern hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia (AGA), happens because the hair follicles slowly shrink over time. This shrinking process turns thick, healthy hairs (called terminal hairs) into thin, soft ones (called vellus hairs). This change occurs because the hair growth cycle is disrupted. The anagen phase (the growth stage) gets shorter, while the telogen phase (the resting stage) becomes longer.
Since hair grows during the anagen phase, shorter growth time means the hair becomes shorter and thinner with each cycle, making baldness appear. (Francesca Lolli, 2017)
How Common is Male Pattern Hair Loss?
The chances of having male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) increase with age and vary by race. In white men, about 30% are affected by the age of 30, around 50% by age 50, and up to 80% by age 70. However, men from other ethnic groups, such as Chinese, Japanese, and African Americans, are generally less affected compared to white men. (Francesca Lolli, 2017)
Stages of Male Pattern Hair Loss:
According to Norwood Hamilton’s Scale, there are seven stages of male pattern hair loss…
The Stages are-
Stage 1. The control stage:
The hairline is still in its original position or has not moved back.
Stage 2. Slight baldness of the frontal are:
The hair near the temples has thinned in a triangular shape on both sides.
Stage 3. Significant balding:
This is the earliest stage of baldness on the Norwood scale, with profound hair loss at the temples or the crown (vertex). In the Type III vertex, hair loss is mainly at the crown, with little change at the front hairline.
Stage 4. Severe hair loss:
Hair loss at the temples is worse than Type III, and the crown is primarily bald. A strip of hair connects the sides of the scalp across the top.
Stage 5. Very advanced baldness (but still has hair):
The bald spots on the crown and temples are more prominent and almost connected, with a thin strip of hair in between.
Stage 6. The monk’s baldness:
The strip of hair on the crown is mainly gone, and the bald spots on the crown and temples have merged, leaving more hair loss overall.
Stage 7. The most advanced baldness:
The most severe hair loss, leaving only a thin horseshoe-shaped strip of fine hair around the sides and back of the scalp.
What Triggers Androgenetic Alopecia in Men?
Genetic Factors (Hereditary Influence):
Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) is caused by more than one gene and is a polygenic condition. It often runs in families, meaning you are more likely to have it if your close relatives have it. The AR gene (androgen receptor gene) found on the X chromosome is important. This gene can make hair follicles more sensitive to androgens, especially a hormone called DHT, which leads to hair thinning and loss. (Axel M Hillmer, 2005)
Hormonal Influence (DHT Sensitivity):
The key hormone involved is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a testosterone derivative formed by 5-alpha reductase. In people who have a family history of hair loss, DHT binds to androgen receptors in scalp hair follicles, leading to miniaturization of hair follicles, shortened anagen (growth) phases, and eventual hair thinning.
Age:
As men get older, the chances of losing hair increase. Age also plays a role in the onset and progression of androgenetic alopecia. Hair thinning often starts after puberty and increases with age.
Other Possible Causes:
Some studies suggest that oxidative stress, inflammation, and microinflammation around the follicle may support the progression of AGA.
Signs of Male Pattern Hair Loss (Androgenic Alopecia):
- Gradual thinning or loss of hair at the crown of the head.
Noticeably thinning around the temples.
A receding hairline that often forms an "M" shape.
Solutions &Treatments of Male Pattern Hair Loss:
Scalp Solutions:
Male pattern baldness is commonly managed with topical treatments applied directly to the scalp. These treatments help slow hair loss and, in some cases, promote regrowth. Natural remedies are increasingly popular for supporting hair health. Essential oils like rosemary, tea tree, and lavender improve scalp circulation, reduce inflammation, and maintain a healthy environment, contributing to healthier hair growth.
Korean Red ginseng is valued for its potential to stimulate hair follicles and improve scalp vitality, while inositol, a vitamin-like compound, is believed to help control hair loss by encouraging new hair growth and slowing down the effects of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a key hormone involved in male pattern baldness. Caffeine is another effective ingredient known to energize hair roots and potentially extend the life cycle of hair follicles. Additionally, amino acid complexes help reinforce hair structure, improve resilience, and support keratin production. These active ingredients are now commonly found in targeted serums, scalp solutions, and shampoos formulated to nourish the scalp, strengthen roots, and promote regrowth.
Hair Transplant:
For seeking a long-term solution, hair transplant treatment offers an effective option. This procedure involves relocating healthy hair follicles from areas of dense growth (usually the back or sides of the scalp) to thinning or balding areas. Modern techniques, such as FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation), provide natural-looking results to restore hair density and confidence.
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma):
This technique provides a natural way to stimulate hair growth using the body's platelets. Blood is drawn, processed to concentrate growth factors, and injected into the scalp to activate hair follicles and promote regrowth.
Styling Methods:
Certain hairstyles, wigs, or hair weaves can conceal male pattern baldness by creating the appearance of fuller hair and helping cover thinning areas.
Try Our Range Of Hair Care Products:
References:
- Clevelandclinic, 2022. Male Pattern Baldness (Androgenic Alopecia). ClevelandClinic. Click Here
- Hillmer, A.M., Hanneken, S., Ritzmann, S., Becker, T., Freudenberg, J., Brockschmidt, F.F., Flaquer, A., Freudenberg-Hua, Y., Abou Jamra, R., Metzen, C. and Heyn, U., 2005. Genetic variation in the human androgen receptor gene is the major determinant of common early-onset androgenetic alopecia. The American Journal of Human Genetics, 77(1), pp.140-148. Click Here
- Jaworsky, C., Kligman, A.M. and Murphy, G.F., 1992. Characterization of inflammatory infiltrates in male pattern alopecia: implications for pathogenesis. British Journal of Dermatology, 127(3), pp.239-246. Click Here
- Kaufman, K.D., 2002. Androgens and alopecia. Molecular and cellular endocrinology, 198(1-2), pp.89-95. Click Here
- Lolli, F., Pallotti, F., Rossi, A., Fortuna, M.C., Caro, G., Lenzi, A., Sansone, A. and Lombardo, F., 2017. Androgenetic alopecia: a review. Endocrine, 57, pp.9-17. Click Here
- Natarelli, N., Gahoonia, N. and Sivamani, R.K., 2023. Integrative and mechanistic approach to the hair growth cycle and hair loss. Journal of clinical medicine, 12(3), p.893. Click Here
- O’Tar, T., 1975, September. Male pattern baldness: classification and incidence. In Hair Transplant Forum International (Vol. 3, No. 5, pp. 12-17). Hair Transplant Forum International. Click Here
- Sadgrove, N., Batra, S., Barreto, D. and Rapaport, J., 2023. An updated etiology of hair loss and the new cosmeceutical paradigm in therapy: Clearing ‘The Big Eight Strikes’. Cosmetics, 10 (4), 106 [online] Click Here
- Shmerling, R. H., 2024. Hair loss. Harvard Health Publishing. Click Here
- Varman, P.M., Paul, C.M.P. and Rajan, P., 2018. Study on hair fall with hair related problems among males of age 18-50 years: Study on Chennai based population. Hindu, 346, p.88. Click Here
- York, K., Meah, N., Bhoyrul, B. and Sinclair, R., 2020. A review of the treatment of male pattern hair loss. Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy, 21(5), pp.603-612. Click Here
