Male Hair Loss

What causes male hair loss?

There can be several causes of male hair loss, but it is usually defined in two general categories: temporary or permanent.

Temporary hair loss can be associated with many issues including unknown illness or disease, stress, hormone issues, dietary issues, or by different medications. Most temporary cases can be totally cured or postponed if the issue causing the hair loss is identified and treated early enough. If the real cause is not found and treated, then the temporary hair loss could lead to permanent hair loss.

Most permanent hair loss in men is associated with dihydrotestosterone or DHT, an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase that acts upon testosterone. It is the DHT that causes the follicles of the hair to turn off their renewal cycle. This occurrence is actually genetic and there is no known cure for genetic hair loss; only different steps that can help to prolong the process.

DHT is only present in the front, top and crown of the head as baldness occurs and is not present on the sides and back of the head which is where the donor areas are located. The hair located in this area is removed and used for transplant surgery. DHT will never develop around these newly transplanted hair follicles helping to insure that the newly transplanted hair will continue to grow. In cases where this is the issue for a person’s hair loss, hair replacement surgery might be the only option.