Posts Tagged ‘Black’

Is Male Pattern Baldness More Common In White Men Or Black Men?

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

As far as I know, no. Many scientific studies have been conducted but there is no indication that race is a factor.
Androgenetic alopecia, androgenic alopecia, or pattern baldness, has been a part of the human race for as long as we have historical records. Evolutionary evidence suggests androgenetic alopecia has been around longer than the modern human race. Our nearest non-human primate relatives, orangutans and gorillas can also develop androgenetic alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia is a very common form of hair loss and could be described as part of our general genetic phenotype. People who do not develop androgenetic alopecia are in the minority. We could even say these non-bald people are the deviants from the norm!
Male pattern hair loss occurs in men who are genetically predisposed to be more sensitive to the effects of DHT. Researchers now believe that the condition can be inherited from either side of the family.
Testosterone, a hormone that is present in high levels in males after puberty, is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. DHT has an adverse affect on the hair follicles. Acting on a hormone receptor on the hair follicle it slows down hair production and produces weak, shorter hair, sometimes it stops hair growth from the follicle completely. This process gradually depletes your stock of hair and is normal hair loss.