Androgenetic alopecia (AKA androgenic alopecia,
alopecia androgenetica,
MPB, male pattern baldness) is the most common cause of hair loss and
will affect up to 70% of men and 40% of women at some point in their
lifetime. Brief description - Androgen includes various male hormones
including the testosterone present in hair follicles. The inheritance of
genes from either the mother or the father's side of
the family determines at what age the hair follicle will begin to
produce an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase. When the testosterone and
5-alpha reductase combine, they produce the byproduct
dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT initiates a process of follicular
miniaturization, in which the hair follicle begins to deteriorate. The
hair’s growth phase (anagen) is shortened, young hair is prevented from
growing and maturing. In time, hair becomes thinner, and its overall
volume is reduced to vellus hair or "peach fuzz". Finally, the follicle
goes dormant and ceases producing hair completely.
Alopecia means hair loss.
