Male-pattern baldness refers to the upward retreat of the hairline from the forehead, as well as an expanding area of fallout from the crown of the head. In the end, all that might be left is a horseshoe-shaped fringe around the sides and back of the head. Female-pattern baldness, which recently has received more attention since Pharmacia& Upjohn began packaging and marketing Rogaine separately for women, refers to a diffuse pattern of hair loss throughout the scalp. Research continues in search of ways to treat androgenetic alopecia and allow hair to sprout in barren scalps. But, at this time, all you can do, if you're a man, is to look at your father's head and your mother's father's head to see how they fared, because chances are you'll wind up with a similar fate. In addition, female-pattern baldness can be passed down from mother to daughter. In male- and female-pattern baldness, the culprit is something called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which is derived from androgen, a male hormone. Circulating through the bloodstream, androgen is converted to DHT by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Those with greater enzyme activity have more DHT binding to hair-follicle receptors. If flooded by DHT, the follicles sprout thinner and thinner hairs until nothing regrows, and the follicles eventually wither away.

Hair Loss in Men : There are many kinds of hair loss, including what we call: alopecia areata (patches of baldness that usually grow back); elogen effluvium (rapid shedding after childbirth, fever, or sudden weight loss); and traction alopecia (thinning from tight braids or ponytails). All of these types of hair loss can be alarming but, fortunately, they are most often mild and temporary or reversible. The majority of people who lose their hair, however, do it gradually and all through the scalp, with some emphasis on the frontal part. Doctors refer to this process as "androgenetic alopecia" which implies that a combination of hormones (andro-) and heredity (genetics) is needed to develop the condition. Some men never go "bald" but everyone's hair thins out over the years. Despite much research, there's still only a little that men can do to slow down or reverse hair loss. I'm referring to garden-variety "male-pattern baldness." The medical term for that is "androgenetic alopecia," which means hair loss that you get when you have male hormones and a hereditary tendency to lose hair. Sometimes, acute stress to the system (such as high fever, sudden weight loss, etc.) produces a sudden, rapid shedding of hair, where you find clumps of hair coming out all over the place. Although this syndrome (called telogen effluvium) is alarming, it actually is good news, because the body readjusts itself and most if not all the hair grows back. People whose loss of hair is inherited notice their hair is thinning but don't see very much hair actually coming out. Once you think you're thinning, it's worth a check to be sure. Even men who never lose much hair develop some receding at both temples during adolescence. Boy's hairlines are straight across; adult men have more of an "M"-shape.

Male pattern baldness : Male Pattern Baldness is hereditary, you get it from your mother! The explaination is genetic and linked to your mother's X-Chromosome. There is also an explaination of how your mother got the gene! There is currently a popular commercial on television talking about a hair loss prevention product that is stronger than heredity. The commercial has a young man who talks about his father, who like most men in his family, was bald by 30. The commercial is both right and wrong, Male Pattern Baldness is hereditary and you get it from your mother! The explanation is that the genetic reason for Pattern Baldness is linked to your mother's X-Chromosome. Everyone get one-half of their genetic make-up from their mother and their father. The final chromosome pair of the 23 pairs is the sex determining set. While males are XY and females are XX the determination of an individuals sex is made by the father. It is the father who gives either the X chromosome, which matches with the womans X resulting in XX and a female child or the Y chromosome which joins with the womans X resulting in an XY match and a male child. It is the X chromosome or female sex chromosome that contains the gene for Male Pattern Baldness. Since men have only one X chromosome, the gene for baldness is a single expression gene that shows up because there is no possible dominant gene to suppress what would normally be a recessive or hidden characteristic. Since Male Pattern Baldness gene is only on the X chromosome and men can only get that chromosome from their mothers, it is simple to see how this type of baldness is passed from mother to son. The fact that it seems that men in families often have many generations of bald men tend to make this explanation of hard to believe, yet genetics explain it. Male Pattern Baldness is a condition that as previously stated is on a gene on the X chromosome. Since this form of baldness is recessive, it will be hidden if only one of the dominant genes is present. Since women have the XX chromosome pair, baldness will not occur unless both chromosomes have the recessive gene that causes baldness. A woman could have one of three genetic conditions: Both X chromosomes with normal gene represented by Xn Xn this would appear as normal. One normal and one baldness gene on the X chromosome pair represented by Xn Xb, this would appear as normal. Both X chromosomes with the baldness gene represented by Xb Xb, this would appear as a woman with pattern baldness.

How to cure unnecessary hair loss and baldness : Alopecia, or hair loss has many causes. Besides heriditary hair loss, (male pattern baldness), and chemotherapy, there are hair care tips that can help reduce hair loss and baldness. A healthy scalp is the best friend your hair ever had, besides hisute relatives. Unfortunately, many men and women, avoid shampooing their hair in a misguided attempt to prevent hair loss. An oily scalp, the result of infrequent shampooings, can result in a condition called seborrheic dermatitis. The chief symptoms are redness, itching, flaking, leading many to believe this is just garden variety dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis usually involves the scalp, especially around the upper forehead, ears, and eyebrows. Untreated, weeping sores and hair loss are the result. To treat, and prevent this condition, daily hair washing is recommended. Although an oily hair shampoo would seem best, this is too harsh for your scalp and can actually increase the amount of oil production. Your best defense is to gently massage the entire scalp using fingertips then wash your hair with warm water and a mild shampoo formulated for daily use. Rinse with plenty of cool water, and gently blot dry. If you blow dry your hair, select a low setting. Other things you can do to minimize hair loss and baldness? Avoid wigs and ball caps that reduce circulation. Stay away from tight pony tails or other hair ornaments that pull on your scalp. Eat a well balanced diet and drink plenty of water. In this way hair today may not be gone tomorrow.