What is androgenic alopecia?

Male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) is an inheritable condition that increases in frequency with age. Approximately 50% of males are affected by male pattern baldness, while almost 90% of men over 80 are affected by hair loss. While there is no cure for male pattern baldness, there are some treatments that help to manage hair loss.

Hair loss occurs due to changes in hair follicles that happen over time. For men with hair loss, the changes in the hair growth cycle causes follicles to spend less time in the growth stage and more time in the resting stage. The hair turns shorter and thinner with each follicle cycle and is eventually unable to grow hair that penetrates the scalp.