Baldness

 

Androgenic alopecia is the most common type of progressive hair loss. It is also commonly referred to as male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness. 

 

 

 

Male Pattern Baldness

 

Affecting around 50% of all men over the age of 50. It usually starts around the late twenties or early thirties and most men have some degree of hair loss by their late thirties.

 

The pattern of the hair loss commonly begins as a receding hairline, followed by thinning of the hair on the crown and temples, which leaves a horseshoe shape around the back and sides of the head. The degree of Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) can be measured using the Norwood Hamilton Scale. These range from a Norwood 1 (NW1) where no hair loss is experienced, through to Norwood 7 (NW7) which means a total loss of all hair on top of the head, with or without the ‘horseshoe’ ring of hair at the back and sides.

 

 

 

 

Female Pattern Baldness

 

In women the age of onset is usually later, occurring around the age of 50. Up to two-thirds of women experience hair loss after menopause. The pattern in which women lose their hair is different to the pattern for men. Women lose hair from all over their head, starting at the parting and hair at the temples may also recede. 

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General causes of Baldness in Men and Women

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Hair loss can be contributed to a number of physical and psychological factors and the common causes of hair loss can include:

 

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Hormones - hair loss is common following childbirth and the menopause 

• Over-styling or tight styles - Wearing fashionable hair extensions can lead to hair loss

• Toxic substances

• Injury and impairment

• Genetics - If either parent suffered hair loss it is likely this gene will be inherited