Hair loss usually does not start until after puberty, and the rate of progression is extremely variable. Some men go completely bald in less than 5 years but most take 15-25 years. One study found an average rate of hair loss of about 5% per year.
It usually takes 15-25 years to go bald, but can be quicker. Typically, at first the hair begins to thin (recede) at the sides (temples). At the same time, the hair usually becomes thin on the top of the head. A bald patch gradually develops in the middle of the scalp.
On average it takes 15-25 years for men to go completely bald. This process can begin at any age.
Understanding Stage 1 Hair Loss
At this stage, hair follicles begin to weaken, leading to a gradual reduction in hair density, especially around the crown, temples, or part line. Early recognition and treatment at this stage significantly improve the chances of reversing hair loss and restoring hair health.
Male pattern baldness can begin as early as adolescence, although this is less common. Other causes may lead to receding hairline, such as stress, an underlying illness, or medication. Dermatologists can help determine the cause. Males are most likely to start experiencing receding hairline at an earlier age.
Once the arrector pili muscle, that attaches circumferentially around the primary follicle, has detached from all secondary follicles and primary follicles have undergone miniaturization and detachment, hair loss is likely irreversible.
While it is not uncommon for males to begin experiencing hair loss in their 20s, it is not considered normal for hair loss to occur at such a young age. If you are experiencing hair loss at age 25, you must speak with a healthcare professional to determine the cause and discuss treatment options.
Yet, testosterone is not the reason some men go bald and others don't. Plenty of bald guys have low testosterone levels, and plenty of guys with flowing locks have high testosterone levels. Male pattern baldness comes down to how sensitive your hair follicles are to the effects of hormones, which is genetic.
The short answer is that genes inherited from both sides of your family affect your chances of going bald. While we often hear that a man's chance of going bald is inherited from the maternal side, that's only partially true. The estimates vary, but about 60-70% of balding risk can be explained by someone's genetics1.
Hair loss tends to stabilise between the ages of 30 and 50. The American Hair Loss Association states that the vast majority of these cases (95%) are due to androgenic alopecia. The factors are influence hair loss in men include genetics, age, and hormonal changes[1] .
Having a receding hairline doesn't always mean complete baldness later on in life as your hairline moving back could be a sign of a mature hairline. Mature hairlines can occur gradually with the hairline receding evenly and stopping before receding onto your scalp.
Some men find that their hair loss progresses quickly, losing much of their hair within 5 years. However, it is more common for hair loss to progress more slowly, usually over 15 to 25 years.
Maturing hairlines usually stops receding around 1.5-2 cm above their juvenile form (you can get an idea of where that used to be by measuring from the highest wrinkle on your forehead). If you find that your hairline is receding past this point and into your scalp, you may have a receding hairline.
Patients at stage 3 of the Norwood scale are also suitable candidates for a hair transplant, because they are experiencing visible balding. A hair transplant works by removing healthy strands of hair from the lower back and sides of the scalp and transplanting them into the balding areas of the head.
Just like cigarettes, most vapes contain nicotine, and it may contribute to hair loss or thinning in these ways: Constricting blood vessels – Over time, nicotine intake can narrow blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the hair follicles. This means less oxygen and nutrients reach them, hindering healthy growth [8, 9].
While testosterone sometimes contributes to hair loss or baldness, high testosterone does not always equal baldness. Testosterone primarily affects the hair when its metabolite form, DHT, is high in people who have high androgen-sensitive receptors in their hair follicles.
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or male pattern baldness, is the most common type of progressive hair loss disorder in men. Half of the men in the world experience hair loss by age 50. About 70% of men will lose hair as they get older. And 25% of bald men see first signs of hair loss before age 21.
While hair loss is more common as you get older, it doesn't necessarily make it any easier to accept. It's never too late to address your hair loss. No matter what stage you're in, there are solutions that can help.
The shape a maturing hairline takes usually is an M, meaning you have a peak in the middle of your hairline and it curves back at the temples. While a balding hairline will also start with this shape, a maturing hairline won't continue to recede and the hairline will generally be quite defined as well.
Yes, many men consider their uneven or receding hairlines to be unattractive, but these features can be considered distinctive, unique, and even attractive! An M-shaped hairline is completely normal and can be considered attractive.
The good news is that derma rolling has emerged as an effective way to boost hair regrowth and thickness without surgery. According to our experience supplying medical professionals, derma rolling can thicken hair, reverse miniaturization, and revive dormant follicles when used properly.