- A dermatologist explains why some men lose their hair, and why baldness often appears at a very early age in certain cases.
- According to Dr. Jennifer Chwalek, genetics are likely the determining factor for whether or not you lose your hair early. And, more importantly, when this might happen.
- According to this same expert, around 40% of the population has some type of hair loss, although not everything has to lead to baldness.
- Discover more stories at Business Insider Spain.
This is the transcript of the video.
Graham Flanagan: Look at this handsome bald man. He exudes swagger and self-confidence. He’s the boss. But it wasn’t always like that. This is Rob. He’s 33 years old. This is also Rob. He started losing his hair when he was only about 20 years old. So what happened? Why did Rob go bald and what does that mean? Is there any connection between alopecia and confidence. I mean, look at all these balding icons. Michael Jordan, Jason Statham, his partner The RockBut losing your hair isn’t really inspiring.
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Flanagan: In fact, there is an entire industry that has grown up around fighting it.
Man: And remember, not only am I the president of the Hair Club, but I am also a client.
Jennifer Chwalek: When we say “baldness,” we usually mean male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia. The hair follicle slowly shrinks over time to the point where it stops producing hair. Testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone in the hair follicle by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, and when it binds to the androgen receptor in the hair follicle, it causes the hair follicle to produce a much smaller hair.
Flanagan: So, I want you to see my friend Rob here. Rob started losing his hair when he was 20, and as you can see, there’s very little to… Well, there’s nothing left. What’s happened to Rob?
Chwalek: Well, Rob has what we call androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. This is caused by several genes. And some of the genes show up very early and some more susceptible individuals start losing their hair at an early age, usually in their 30s.
Flanagan:Does the fact that Rob is bald make him less manly?
Chwalek:No. So it is a myth that hair loss or baldness is associated with virility in men. Men who go bald do not have abnormal levels of testosterone. In reality, what happens is that the hair follicle becomes sensitized to the effects of testosterone or androgens, and starts to create smaller hair, and eventually stops producing hair.
Flanagan: So what role does genetics play and is it true that baldness is inherited from the mother?
Read more: Experts warn: Veganism could cause baldness
Chwalek: The genetics of baldness and male pattern thinning are very complicated. We know that the androgen receptor gene is on the X chromosome, which is normally inherited from the mother’s side. So there are some studies showing that having a brother with symptoms of male pattern baldness may be more predictable than if your father has any male pattern hair thinning.
Flanagan: Let’s talk about me.
Chwalek: Mm-hmm.
Flanagan: I’m 37 years old. I still have some hair.
Chwalek: Yeah.
Flanagan:But can you tell me what could be happening? Am I going to go bald?
Chwalek: Well, do you have a family history of being thin?
Flanagan: Yes, on my father’s side. My father is quite bald, and his brother is bald. I have a brother who has a full head of very thick hair.
Chwalek:Do you think your hair is thinner?
Flanagan: I think so, around the forehead. I’m not sure what’s going on up there.
Chwalek: Yes, maybe a little.
Flanagan: Oh really?
Chwalek: Maybe a little. Androgenic alopecia is not an uncommon trait. About 40% of the population has symptoms of hair loss, usually between the ages of 20 and 40.
Flanagan:My wife, Janet, really likes my blonde hair, and if it were to go away, that could be a big problem. How long do you think I have to keep this look?
Chwalek: I think you’ve probably got a while left. I think you’ll be fine. Men who tend to go bald tend to do so in their 30s, typically.
Flanagan:Based on what you see, my age, what I’ve described about my family, do you not expect my hair to fall out in the next few years?
Chwalek: No, it would be unusual, but you will notice that as you get older, your hair will lose strength.
Flanagan: Okay, that’s a relief. Fantastic. That’s great!
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