What Is Androgenetic Alopecia?

Unfortunately, alopecia is one cause of hair loss that can be permanent. This can be crippling to someone’s self esteem and confidence. One example of alopecia is Androgenetic Alopecia, which is hair loss that occurs in both males and females due to an underlying susceptibility of hair follicles. Androgenetic Alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss and can affect approximately 70% of men and 40% of women at some point in their lifetime. Mens hair loss usually begins with a receding hairline at the temples and balding at the crown. This condition is also known as male-pattern baldness. Genetic and environmental factors play a major role in androgenetic alopecia. As it progresses, a rim of hair at the rear of the head and sides usually remains. On many occasions, it doesn’t progress to complete baldness. The hairline recedes to form a characteristic “M” shape. The hair also starts thins at the crown or near the top of the head. Often it progresses to partial or complete baldness. Androgenetic alopecia in men has been linked with different medical conditions such as coronary heart disease and an enlarged prostate. Prostate cancer, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure have also been linked to androgenetic alopecia. Female androgenetic alopecia usually causes diffuse thinning without hairline recession. It usually does not lead to total hair loss. Women start to thin at the centre part of their scalp. The pattern of hair loss in women differs from males. For women, the hair becomes thinner all over the head. The hairline does not recede. Androgenetic alopecia in women rarely leads to total baldness. Androgenetic alopecia is one of the major causes of hair loss in both men and women. It can affect approximately 50 million men and 30 million women. It can begin in your early teens and risk increases with age. On average, more than 50% of men over the age of 50 have some degree of hair loss. In women, hair loss most likely will begin after menopause. A wide range of genetic and environmental factors play a key role in causing this form of alopecia. Researchers are studying risk factors that may contribute to this condition but, unfortunately, most of these factors still remain unknown. They have determined that this form of hair loss is related to hormones called androgens. Androgens are important for male sexual development before birth and during puberty. Researchers suspect that several genes will play a role in androgenetic alopecia. The variations in only one gene, AR (Androgen Receptors), have been confirmed in scientific studies. This gene provides instructions for making a protein called an androgen receptor. Androgen receptors allow the body to respond appropriately to dihydrotestosterone and other androgens. Studies show that variations in the gene lead to an increased activity of androgen receptors in the hair follicles. It remains unclear how these genetic changes increase the risk of hair loss in both men and women with androgenetic alopecia. If you suffer from Androgenetic Alopecia, Scalp Micropigmentation may be an option for you! If you would like to know more, please contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation.