Androgenic Alopecia

The popular name for this problem is male pattern baldness. This is the most common type of baldness and most men will suffer from it, although the degrees of severity can vary from trivial to very extreme.

It can start in the late teens, mid thirties or even at old age. The hair line recedes and there is loss from the crown until the whole vertex is void of hair. This may develop over a few years or it can span about ten years. There is a reduction in the length of time the anagen stage lasts and the hairs gradually become shorter and finer.

Eventually the hairs do not regrow, and the follicle closes. Hence baldness occurs.

Male pattern baldness has a definite genetic link. Increasing age can also be an influencing factor. After the menopause, androgenic alopecia develops in many women, this is often disguised by having the hair permed. You see rather a lot of women around the menopause age with permed hair which can help hide the problem that often clears up after treatment.

There are just as many bald women as bald men in geriatric wards of the hospitals.