Male Pattern Baldness:

Androgenetic Alopecia or Male Pattern Baldness is responsible for over 95% of hair loss in men. This is a process that is progressive in nature and affects most men over the age of 50. For some unfortunate men, this process may start before the age of 21.

DHT, in genetically-susceptible men, is the culprit for this type of hair loss mechanism. DHT interacts with receptors on the hair follicles (that are destined to be lost) and starts a cascade of events. This interaction will eventually lead those affected hairs to miniaturization and ultimate loss.

DHT is a derivative of the normally present testosterone. The enzyme, type II 5-alpha-reductase, interacts with testosterone to produce DHT.

To clarify this further, it is normal to have DHT in the body, but it is the sensitivity of the susceptible hairs that creates the environment for hair loss.

Medications, such as Finasteride, reduce the production of DHT, taking away the stimulus for hair loss.
The exact reason why there is hair loss in the first place is still not understood.

Click here to view the male Norwood scale