Male pattern baldness is the most common form of baldness. For men, it takes the form of thinning hair, leading to complete or partial loss. The pattern of baldness on the head is also well known and often results in a receding hairline, which may lead to complete baldness on the top of the head. Typically, most men will retain some degree of hair, starting from the sideburns and continuing behind the ears and around the back of the head.
This pattern of baldness is typical of androgenic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia easily recognized in men. It is not so easily recognized in women.
However, women can (and do) develop androgenic alopecia. Unlike their male counterparts, women may develop this condition as early as late teens and as late as full menopause, and may not have the same obvious hereditary association as men do. As women begin to lose more hair, they also may not know if the hair loss will be permanent or just temporary. It’s quite possible with women that a variety of other conditions can affect hair loss, including recent pregnancy or breastfeeding cessation, low iron, hormonal issues or other illness.
If you do have androgenic alopecia, there are a number of patterns of hair loss that you may see:
- Generalized thinning over the whole head, with more thinning at the back of the head
- Generalized thinning over the whole head, with more thinning at the front of the head (but not the hairline)
- Generalized thinning over the whole head, with more thinning at the front which involves hairline (such as “receding” at temples or hairline)
What can you do? First of all, alopecia is associated with high levels of DHT. DHT is dihydrotestosterone, which will cling to hair follicles and starve out the hair. A simple blood test can help you determine if you have too much DHT. If your DHT is too high, saw palmetto – a natural supplement – can help.
Topical serums and shampoos are an ideal method of getting saw palmetto to your scalp, because your skin will absorb anything that is applied to it. Be sure to get a product that includes the known best ingredients for scalp health. One such products combination is SureThik Shampoo and Serum. This particular product line posts relevant research on its site to support the kinds of ingredients used.
Another way that you can get DHT to your follicles is through taking aaw palmetto as an oral supplement. This will reduce the levels of DHT throughout the body and while also benefitting the hair follicles. Saw palmetto can be found at almost any health food store.
The good news is that androgenic alopecia doesn’t have to mean that you lose your hair permanently. You can take steps to protect your hair follicles and your hair.




