Image Source: STEPHY-HEALTH WORLD
Recently we asked the question, “Are Bald Men Sexy?” In the end, we found that it depends on the specific woman, but we also discovered that there are actually benefits for bald men. Even more interesting was the fact that probably half of the men in the U.S. will lose some hair eventually.
However, we never talked about what exactly causes baldness. Well, there are numerous factors. It could be anything from stress to medication, but here are three of the most common causes of baldness.
Genes
Genetics is the primary cause of baldness. In fact, there’s a four in seven chance of receiving the baldness gene. However, there is one misconception regarding genetics. Many people think that baldness genes are passed down from their maternal grandfathers, but they can actually come from either parent.
What’s even more interesting is that these genes can skip generations or even affect siblings in the same family differently. Regardless, baldness is a genetically inherited trait that a majority of us will have to deal with.
Image Source: Surviving-Hairloss
Hormones
Image Source: Human Hair Styler
Androgenetic Alopecia, or “male pattern baldness,” accounts for more than 95% of hair thinning and is caused by the sex hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT is a male sex hormone and is a body- and facial-hair growth promoter, which can adversely affect the prostate and hair.
While no one is exactly sure how this process works, it is known that DHT initiates a process of follicular miniaturization. This means that hair follicles begin to shrink and deteriorate. Over time hair that is sensitive to DHT, most commonly on the front and top of the head, becomes weaker, finer and eventually ceases producing.
Age
Image Source: Receding Hair Lines
Of course, we can’t forget one final cause that many of us try to avoid: getting older.
While there are a number of older gentlemen with full heads of hair, you’ve probably noticed that there are far more older men with little to no hair. Actually, baldness is found in over 73% of men who are 80 years old or older, with two-thirds beginning to bald by age 60. But, what’s the connection between age and baldness?
Simply put, you grow less hair as you get older. Also, hair gets thinner and tends to break more easily as you age.
Albert Costill
Latest posts by Albert Costill (see all)
- Finally! Home Brewing Will Be Allowed in All 50 States - May 16, 2013
- The 10 Most Impressive Players Remaining in the 2013 NBA Playoffs - May 15, 2013
- The 10 Sexiest Female Video Game Characters of All Time - May 14, 2013
Subscribe to SoJones RSS feed