Male Hair Loss
Male hair loss, or male-pattern baldness, can begin as early as puberty and affect men at various stages throughout their lives. While some may experience hair loss in their early years, others may not notice significant thinning until later in life. By the age of 80, up to 80% of men will have experienced some degree of hair loss.
Male hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, occurs when hairs sensitive to the effects of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is converted from testosterone, begin to undergo thinning and become progressively smaller, shorter, and more transparent. This process is known as miniaturization, where the thick "terminal" hairs of youth are slowly transformed into these thinner "vellus" hairs. Eventually, these vellus hairs are lost, leading to progressive baldness.
Male hair loss typically follows distinct patterns described by the Norwood Hair Loss Classification. When surgically restoring hair, one of the primary goals is to mimic these natural patterns to achieve a completely natural appearance. There are two primary categories for treating male hair loss: non-surgical and surgical methods. Often, combining both non-surgical and surgical options can yield better outcomes.