Male pattern baldness, when the hairline tends to recede in an “M” shape, is very common — it accounts for more than 95 percent of hair loss in men. What’s more, most men who experience male pattern baldness will notice some degree of hair loss by age 35.
Because of the prevalence of male pattern baldness, it’s natural for rumors to arise about what actually causes it. You may have heard that wearing hats too often, using gel or hairspray, excessive shampooing, or certain hairstyles can also cause or make male pattern baldness worse, for example. If you’re concerned about losing your hair, you may be relieved to know that those habits are not to blame for male pattern baldness.
References
Alfonso, M., et al. (2005). The psychosocial impact of hair loss among men: a multinational European study. Current Medical Research and Opinion.
American Hair Loss Association. (n.d.). Men’s hair loss.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Androgenetic alopecia.
Goldstein, B.G., et al. (2022). Patient education: Hair loss in men and women (androgenetic alopecia) (beyond the basics). UpToDate.
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