Why Am I Going Bald?

[John Bryce]

I am in my early thirties, male, and I have had thining hair since my mid-twenties.

I have been all over the 'net trying to find the causes of male hair loss, but all I am finding are crack-pot explainations and cures.

I know the basics: it is genetic, but can anyone direct me to some good sites or information on what causes male hair loss?

Originally posted by John Bryce
I am in my early thirties, male, and I have had thining hair since my mid-twenties.

I have been all over the 'net trying to find the causes of male hair loss, but all I am finding are crack-pot explainations and cures.

I know the basics: it is genetic, but can anyone direct me to some good sites or information on what causes male hair loss?

Just cut to the chase and buy some Rogaine.

[Marvel Frozen]

Testosterone is responsible for hair loss, so if you don't want to go bald, then be sure to castrate yourself before adolescence.

[John Bryce]

Then why does only the hair on the top of my head thin? Does all that testosterone rise to the top of my head? Sorry, I'm sceptical of that reason. :)

[garys_2k]

Originally posted by John Bryce
Then why does only the hair on the top of my head thin? Does all that testosterone rise to the top of my head? Sorry, I'm sceptical of that reason. :)
I would just suspect that different follicles are more sensitive to it, and that this sensitivity changes over time in a particular pattern.

I do believe certain androgenic blockers will prevent hair loss, but I'm not positive.

[John Bryce]

One second thought, maybe Marvel Frozen is right about that testosterone and baldness thing:

http://home.golden.net/~tdailey/Images/SCSA.jpg

[fishbob]

A true story - overheard in a barber shop - in Alaska.

Customer with thinning hair - I'm thinking of shaving my head. Will you do that?

Barber - Are you married?

Customer - No

Barber - You have a girlfriend?

Customer - No

Barber - You have a hat?

Customer - Yes

Barber - OK, I'll do it.
--------------------------------------------------
There is probably not much you can do about it - so get a hat.

[Marvel Frozen]

These two sites have some information on the causes of hair loss:

http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003246.htm
http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/001177.htm

[Nie Trink Wasser]

rogaine helps

nioxin shampoo and scalp treatment helps fight DHT buildup in your scalp ( http://www.nioxin.com/ )

you may also try this www.demodexsolutions.com ...... you may think it is crackpot, but if your scalp is red and itching, then you probably should use this stuff...it has helped repair my scalp.



most of the problem is caused by stress. Most of the stress comes from really viscious dermatologists who dont want to help and just tell you to use rogain or whatever that pill is. Human beings like to watch you squirm and feel insecure about your hair.....so #1 is to not worry about it....shave it short and start taking better care of your scalp.


My theory is that balding is mange. Females bald as well, but for some reason, most of these "studies" are directed to males. I think that "mange" is passed down from a family member at an early age and men are either more sensitive to it or they dont take care of their scalps like women do, but thats just my theory.

look at those sites I gave you.....they help.

[a_unique_person]

IIRC, you can blame it all on your mother. You got the genes from her.

[GreyWanderer]

Is it so bad being bald really?

[Nie Trink Wasser]

Originally posted by GreyWanderer
Is it so bad being bald really?


in our culture, yes it is.

[GreyWanderer]

Originally posted by Nie Trink Wasser



in our culture, yes it is.

Well, there are a lot of famous people that are bald. And it's not necessarily viewed as a handicap. But I guess being bald fits some people more than others. I mean, some people look really cool bald.

[Nie Trink Wasser]

Originally posted by GreyWanderer


Well, there are a lot of famous people that are bald. And it's not necessarily viewed as a handicap. But I guess being bald fits some people more than others. I mean, some people look really cool bald.



name one person that looks better bald than with hair and consider their role in our culture.


balding is a handicap. I'd say it's worse (socially, in our culture) than being deformed. A deformed person is respected. If your bald, you're the butt of a joke, bottom line.

[GreyWanderer]

Originally posted by Nie Trink Wasser




name one person that looks better bald than with hair and consider their role in our culture.


balding is a handicap. I'd say it's worse (socially, in our culture) than being deformed. A deformed person is respected. If your bald, you're the butt of a joke, bottom line.

Ok, those I remember just now...

Patrick Stewart (the guy who plays Picard in Star Trek (ok, he's old, so maybe he doesn't count)

Moby (not sure if he's bald or just shaves his hair)

Hmm, when I think about it, many of those people I think of just shaves their hair. But what's the big difference?

[Nie Trink Wasser]

Moby ? :eek:

Patrick Stewart ?


you can tell when someone is bald easily over someone who shaves their head.


A bald person must keep their head shaved so that the hair doesnt grow out and become too obvious.

The difference is that if you just shave your head, you are considered attractive. If you shave your head because you are balding, you're not attractive any longer, but shaving it somehow makes it seem a bit better.

A girl will settle for a balding guy, but the cold hard truth is that it's a weakness.....sort of embarrassing to them....its just how the world works.

It's like going to the pound and picking out a dog that has mange over a healthy puppy.

yep.

[John Bryce]

Originally posted by Marvel Frozen
These two sites have some information on the causes of hair loss:

http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003246.htm
http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/001177.htm

Thanks. Good information. :)

[John Bryce]

Originally posted by Nie Trink Wasser
look at those sites I gave you.....they help.


Thanks for the information. :)

[John Bryce]

Originally posted by Nie Trink Wasser
A girl will settle for a balding guy, but the cold hard truth is that it's a weakness.....sort of embarrassing to them....its just how the world works.


I tend to agree. Old men are bald. A young man going bald may seem old to a young woman. Also, hair loss might be seen subconciously as unhealthy to a woman, and, from an evolutionary standpoint, women look for mates that have good genes. I think it has a lot to do with that evolutionary drive.

Oh, well. I guess I'll be adopting; if you can adopt as a single parent. :p

[Nie Trink Wasser]

the problem with genetics causing baldness is that I know plenty of guys who have a full head of hair (and are over 30), but their dad is bald and whole family is full of baldbaldbald men............

[Dragonrock]

Originally posted by Nie Trink Wasser
Moby ? :eek:

Patrick Stewart ?


you can tell when someone is bald easily over someone who shaves their head.


A bald person must keep their head shaved so that the hair doesnt grow out and become too obvious.

The difference is that if you just shave your head, you are considered attractive. If you shave your head because you are balding, you're not attractive any longer, but shaving it somehow makes it seem a bit better.

A girl will settle for a balding guy, but the cold hard truth is that it's a weakness.....sort of embarrassing to them....its just how the world works.

It's like going to the pound and picking out a dog that has mange over a healthy puppy.

yep.

Girls may feel this way, but I believe that women aren't embarassed by bald men. After a woman turns about 23 they grow up enough that the only thing they find embarassing is a bad combover. But then again, everyone should be embarassed by a combover.

[BillHoyt]

Originally posted by Nie Trink Wasser
the problem with genetics causing baldness is that I know plenty of guys who have a full head of hair (and are over 30), but their dad is bald and whole family is full of baldbaldbald men............

NTW,

The trait is considered sex-influenced. The main gene is on the X-chromosome, which comes from the mother. This gene triggers the follicle reaction to DHT. So, when a man gets the baldness gene from mom, and has high levels of DHT, he goes bald. While your dad can give you the high levels of DHT, only your mom can give you the DHT reaction gene.


Cheers,