Androgenic Alopecia:
- Androgenic Alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause and form of the male hair loss.
- It is a genetically-transmitted, androgen-dependant and age-related progressive hair loss in men. The genetic (hereditary) condition can be inherited from the paternal or maternal lineage.
- Testosterone is converted to dihydro-testosterone (DHT) by the 5 alfa-reductase enzyme in the hair follicles. The activities of the enzyme and the DHT increase in areas genetically susceptible to hair loss.
- Hair loss in men is progressive during their lifetime, but generally slows down, stabilizes or sometimes even stops after the age of 40.
- Hair transplant is the only effective and main treatment method of the androgenic alopecia.
Some of the different forms or stages of the male hair loss:
Other rare causes of hair loss in men:
- Scarring alopecia; a kind of traumatic alopecia caused by accidents, burns, surgical procedures, etc.
- Alopecia areata; an auto-immune and dermatologic disease that causes patchy bald areas on the scalp.
- Some dermatologic disorders of scalp hair.
- Disorders of the thyroid gland; hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
- Chemotherapy; chemical drugs used for cancer treatment.
- Some drugs and medicines.
- Some psychological disorders; trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder).
- Acute stress.
Hair transplant is also an effective method for scarring alopecia treatment. Scar excisions or revisions are also alternative surgical treatment methods.
There is no hair transplant indication for alopecia areata and the other medical and dermatologic causes of hair loss. The treatment should be directed to the underlying reason of alopecia in such conditions.
Scarring alopecia:
Alopecia areata:
Alopecia areata is an auto-immune but also a self-healing disease, this means that spontaneous recovery may occur at a certain point.
TERMS:
Synonyms: Androgenic Alopecia, Genetic Alopecia, Male Pattern Baldness, Male Alopecia, Men’s Hair Loss.
Androgens: Male hormones, a group of hormones that play a role in male traits and reproductive activity.
Testosterone: The main androgenic hormone.
Dihydro-testosterone: Testosterone derivative which is responsible for men’s hair loss.
5 alpha-reductase: An enzyme which converts testosterone to dihydro-testosterone in hair follicles.