Your hair follicles might be genetically programmed to wither
In short: Why does the crown of your head eventually go bare? While many blame hats or hygiene, the reality is a complex interplay of genetics and hormones. It isn't about having too much testosterone; it is about how specifically sensitive your hair follicles are to it.
The primary driver of male pattern baldness is polygenetic, meaning it involves multiple genes rather than a single inherited trait. A common myth suggests that hair loss only comes from the mother's side, but research shows you cannot blame just one side of the family. Statistically, about 85% of men will experience some form of hair loss during their lives. The probability is linked to age: at 30 years old, there is a 30% chance of being bald, a figure that increases by approximately 10% every decade.
The mechanism involves a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is derived from testosterone. Contrary to popular belief, balding does not mean a man has excessively high testosterone levels. Instead, certain hair follicles are genetically predisposed to be more sensitive to DHT. Over time, as these follicles respond to the hormone, they begin to wither, causing hair to grow thinner, shorter, and less visible. This process typically begins near the temples and at the crown of the head.
Gender differences in balding are largely tied to estrogen. In women, estrogen helps protect against the effects of testosterone and DHT; consequently, many women do not experience significant hair loss until after menopause when estrogen levels drop. While stress is rarely the primary cause of male pattern baldness, it can disrupt the normal growth cycle. Other factors like thyroid disorders or iron deficiencies are considered exceptions rather than the rule for typical thinning.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Why do we go Bald?
- Also: Why Do Some Men Lose Their Hair?
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