Male Pattern Hair Loss

Each hair on your head follows a fairly regular pattern; it will grow about an inch every couple of months, and continue to grow for 2 to 6 years. The hair will remain at that length for a short period, and then it will fall out and be replaced by a new hair. At any given time, approximately 85% of the hair on your head is in the growing phase, and about 15% is not.

The cavity in the skin which the hair sits is called a follicle. Male baldness occurs when over time the follicle shrinks and the hairs become shorter and finer. In the end, you are left with a small follicle containing no hair. It is not completely understood why this happens, however there is a relation to genes and sex hormones. The possibility of new growth is due to the fact that the follicles, although small, are still alive.

The appearance and pattern of hair loss is used as an indication to diagnose classic male pattern baldness. Medical disorders may be the cause for any atypical hair loss, and a skin biopsy may be needed to diagnose these disorders. By the age of 35, two-thirds of American men will have some degree of appreciable hair loss; by the age of 50, 85% of men have considerably thinner hair. Approximately one-quarter of men who experience male pattern baldness begin the uncomfortable process by the time they reach 21 years old.

Male pattern baldness can have a significant effect on one’s self-esteem, and may even make one anxious. Typically the hair loss is permanent, and it can affect many aspects of a man’s life, from personal relationships to professional relationships.

If you have been struggling with male pattern baldness and would like more information, schedule a consultation in our Tullahoma or Nashville office. Patients travel from all over for Dr. Marvel’s expertise and experience with male pattern baldness.