[Norwood Patterns]

Physicians divide hair loss, or balding, into scarring or non-scarring alopecia. Scarring alopecia includes a variety of diseases that cause patchy hair loss due to internal disease or trauma, or certain straightening agents. Stress can also cause hair thinning in a generalized way all over the head. Only one type of hair loss will give a distinctive pattern of hair loss in men. This is called male pattern baldness. It is caused by the effects of DHT on the hair follicle. Men and women have a certain amount of male hormones in their bodies, which are converted by the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase to DHT. Finasteride and Dutertasteride block 5 alpha-reductase thus reducing the DHT level in the hair follicle 70-90%.

See the book section here for more detailed information,“Understanding Hair Transplants and Hair Loss”

MALE PATTERN BALDNESS: NORWOOD PATTERNS

In the case of males, distinct and progressive pattern baldness usually starts in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s and continues briskly for eight to fifteen years. After that, it slows down, but continues at a slow, progressive course for life. It is the result of the interaction of DHT with the hair follicle. Medications such as Finasteride help to slow or stop the gradual miniturization (thinning) in male patterns. Transplants are used to supplement this in replacing lost hair.