Hair Loss in Men
Some men progressively lose their hair over the front, top, and crown of their head, but most men still do not understand the root cause of hair loss. This is a natural phenomenon called “male pattern baldness” (MPB) or androgenetic alopecia(AGA).“Andro” refers to the androgens (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone-DHT) necessary to produce male-pattern hair loss (MPHL). “Genetic” refers to the inherited gene necessary for MPHL to occur.” The hair follicles in these areas react negatively to the hormone testosterone, resulting in progressive hair loss. However, the hair on the sides and lower back of the head is genetically programmed not to be affected and does not fall out. On account of this genetic programming, this hair can be permanently transplanted to the thinning and balding areas. This donor hair will not fall out and can be cut and styled just as the hair it has replaced. It will continue to grow for the rest of your life and will not be affected by any hormone changes.
Classification of Male Pattern Baldness
Norwood Classification
I. represents minimal recession along the anterior border of hairline.
II. The anterior border of hair in the frontotemporal region has triangular areas of recession
III. patients exhibit a more significant decline in hair above the temples as well as receding from the forehead. In Class 3 Vertex, hair loss is starting to become significant on the crown.
IV. Frontal and frontotemporal recession are more severe than Type III. Also there is sparseness or abscence or hair in the vertex area.
V. Vertex region of baldness remains separated from the frontotemporal region of baldness. The separation is not as distinct as in earlier stages because the band of hair across the mid scalp is narrower and sparser. Both the vertex and frontotemporal areas of balness are larger.
VI. The bridge of the hair that crossed the midscalp in the previous type is now gone. The frontotemporal and vertex region of baldness are confluent and the entire area of balness has increased laterally and posteriorly.
VII. Is the most severe form of MPB. All that remains is a narrow horseshoe-shaped band of hair that begins laterally just anterior to the ear and extends posteriorly on the sides and quite low on the occiput.
