What causes male pattern baldness?

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    Surveyed from the published FAQs of 17 hair transplant providers. The percentage on each highlighted claim is the share of surveyed providers who make that claim on their own sites — it shows how common a claim is, not that it is true. Hover to see who.

    Also asked as: “What causes male pattern hair loss?” · “What Actually Causes Male Pattern Hair Loss?” · “What causes hair loss (male pattern baldness/androgenetic alopecia)?” · “What causes male and female pattern balding?”

    Male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is mainly due to genetic sensitivity to the hormone DHT88%Stated by 88% of the providers we surveyed. Including Dr. Hossein Yavari, Hairvolution UK Limited, The Hair & Cosmetic Dermatology Center, Capital Hair Restoration, Medihair Hair Transplant Melbourne, Vita Estetic Hair Clinic, and 9 more.. This sensitivity causes hair follicles to shrink, leading to hair loss. In men with a genetic predisposition, follicles are sensitive to DHT and gradually shrink59%Stated by 59% of the providers we surveyed. Including Dermaglow Skin Clinic, Dermalive, Genesis, Yugen Hair Transplant Center and skin clinic, PraxisHair, Dr. Bessam Farjo, and 4 more.; blood DHT levels are usually normal. Male pattern baldness is a progressive condition59%Stated by 59% of the providers we surveyed. Including The Petrus Center for Aesthetic Surgery and Hair Transplantation, Hair Restoration Institute of Minnesota, Dr. Oksana Shnayder, and 7 more., worsening over time if untreated.

    About half of providers assert that male pattern baldness is a hereditary condition41%Stated by 41% of the providers we surveyed. Including Dr. Kashif Khan, Hairvolution UK Limited, The Petrus Center for Aesthetic Surgery and Hair Transplantation, and 4 more., passed down through families. They also note that age and hormonal changes contribute35%Stated by 35% of the providers we surveyed. Including The Hair & Cosmetic Dermatology Center, Genesis, Yugen Hair Transplant Center and skin clinic, and 3 more. to its development.

    Approximately a quarter of providers state that male pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss29%Stated by 29% of the providers we surveyed. Including Saraswat Hospital, Medihair Hair Transplant Melbourne, Dermaglow Skin Clinic, and 2 more. in men. They highlight that treatment options for male pattern baldness24%Stated by 24% of the providers we surveyed. Including Capital Hair Restoration, Dermalive, Hairvolution UK Limited, and 1 more. include medications, hair transplants, and cosmetic options.

    A minority describe it as a permanent condition18%Stated by 18% of the providers we surveyed. Including Saraswat Hospital, Dr. Bessam Farjo, Capital Hair Restoration., while others note that not all men are affected by DHT due to genetic resistance12%Stated by 12% of the providers we surveyed. Including PraxisHair, Dermalive.. Some mention that environmental factors like stress and lifestyle can exacerbate hair loss12%Stated by 12% of the providers we surveyed. Including Saraswat Hospital, PraxisHair.. They suggest that early intervention can help slow and in some people partly reverse hair loss12%Stated by 12% of the providers we surveyed. Including Capital Hair Restoration, PraxisHair..

    What clinics say

    Claims from clinics' own websites

    In their own words — the 14 clinics whose published guidance fed this answer.

    1. Male pattern baldness is caused by genetic sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT, a hormone derived from testosterone, which miniaturises follicles over time.
      Dr. Hossein Yavari Abu Dhabi, AE
    2. … the development of male and female pattern baldness, including genetics, hormones, and age.
      Hairvolution UK Limited Long Eaton, GB
    3. Male pattern baldness is associated with increased levels of a certain androgen (hormone) called DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
      The Hair & Cosmetic Dermatology Center Chesterfield, US
    4. … alopecia (commonly known as male pattern baldness) is the most common cause of hair loss in men.
      Medihair Hair Transplant Melbourne Melbourne, AU
    5. Male pattern baldness is usually caused by genetic sensitivity to the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) , which gradually weakens hair follicles over time.
      Capital Hair Restoration Manchester, GB
    6. Genetics and DHT sensitivity miniaturize follicles over time.
      Vita Estetic Hair Clinic Istanbul, TR
    7. Male pattern hair loss is caused by a combination of male hormones and genetic (hereditary) factors.
      Dermaglow Skin Clinic Gurugram, IN
    8. It is seen that around 95% of hair loss is caused by genetics and is known as Androgenetic Alopecia.
      Saraswat Hospital Mumbai, IN
    9. Male hair loss is caused when a modified form of testosterone, the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), attacks hair follicles on the scalp.
      Dermalive Bengaluru, IN
    10. Androgenetic alopecia is a hereditary condition in which certain hair follicles are sensitive to hormones that trigger thinning and hair loss.
      Hair Restoration Institute of Minnesota Bloomington, US
    11. Age, hormones, and genes. Androgenetic alopecia is a progressive hereditary condition that causes specific hair …
      The Petrus Center for Aesthetic Surgery and Hair Transplantation North Little Rock, US
    12. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a chemical derivative of the male hormone testosterone is the primary reason behind male …
      Genesis Chennai, IN
    13. Male pattern hair loss is primarily linked to genetics and hormonal imbalances.
      Yugen Hair Transplant Center and skin clinic Hyderabad, IN
    14. … as a result of several contributing factors, including hormones, genetics, and age.
      PraxisHair Cairo, EG