Hair & Hair-loss All about hair loss

Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss both in men and women all over the world. It is also called androgenic alopecia, androgenic hair loss, male pattern baldness, male pattern hair loss or male baldness.

Androgenetic hair loss has affected mankind throughout history as we deduce from the oldest historical records. Moreover, evolutionary evidence suggests that the history of androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) is longer than the history of the human race. Because, the closest non-human primate relatives, namely orangutans and gorillas, can also experience this kind of hair loss, in other words, develop androgenetic alopecia.

Ancient scientists realized that male pattern baldness is seen only after puberty. They have also found that the hair loss could be stopped by castration before puberty and that after puberty, it is impossible to stop the hair loss. This is because once the hair follicles are exposed to androgens, they are fated to become androgen-sensitive and androgenetic alopecia cannot be prevented after that time.

It has been believed for a long time that androgenetic alopecia (or male pattern baldness) was an inherited systemic disease associated with sexual development. However, this belief of "modern" medicine was conflicting with the results of observations made hundreds of years ago, by Ancient scientists who believed that anyone who reached puberty could experience hair loss and become bald irrespective of their family history. But today, with the help of greater knowledge on genetics and on the chemistry of male hormones, we know very well that the pathological basis of androgenetic alopecia is formed by the effects of male hormones on genetically susceptible individuals.

Although it is called "male pattern hair loss" or "male baldness", androgenetic alopecia can also affect women and androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss in female patients.