Hair color and fullness have long been a symbol of youth and vitality. Many factors determine when men turn gray and lose their hair. Male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia, affects about 50 million men and 30 million women in the US. Finasteride, a medication that reduces hair loss and increases hair regrowth, works best when you are just starting to lose hair. So, while the causes of gray hair and balding are not completely understood, it is good to know when male pattern baldness will likely start.
Hair follicles are sensitive to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). An enzyme, 5α-reductase, catalyzes the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Finasteride is a competitive inhibitor of Type II 5α-reductase. By blocking 5α-reductase, finasteride reduces the amount of testosterone converted to DHT by up to two-thirds. Read more about what causes male pattern baldness or hair loss.
Several factors can affect the age at which you become bald, including:
Hair contains two types of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin is more commonly found in black and brown hair and pheomelanin in red, auburn, and blond hair. However, combinations of these two pigments can give a wide range of hair colors. Melanin is produced by special cells called melanocytes. Once melanin is deposited in the hair shaft, it is slowly degraded over about 3.5 years. When melanocytes stop producing pigment, your hair will turn gray or white.
There is some evidence that stress may cause an abnormal and premature conversion of stem cells to melanocytes. Oxidative stress from waste products of cellular metabolism may also be a factor.
Besides long-term stress, other factors that may contribute to premature gray hair include:
Hair thinning can begin as early as age 6 to 8. However, childhood-onset hair loss is more common around age 13 to 18. Complete baldness would likely have a medical cause, but approximately 0.5 to 2% of teens will notice a receding hairline and hair thinning at the crown of their heads. Early-onset hair loss, like adult-onset, is due to sensitivity to DHT and miniaturization of hair follicles.
About 20% of men will start to notice some hair thinning in their 20s. One study found that 16% of 18 to 29-year-old men had moderate to extensive hair loss.
Approximately 30% of men will have some degree of hair loss by age 30. By the age of 35, two-thirds of men will have some degree of hair loss. Asian and Black men are less prone to hair loss than white men.
In one study, 53% of men aged 40 to 49 had moderate to extensive hair loss.
By age 50, about half of men will notice hair loss. Half of all women will as well, though the timing is typically associated with menopause.
By age 60, about two-thirds of men will be bald or have significant balding.
Most Caucasian men will have male pattern baldness.
Though the exact cause of premature hair graying and hair loss is unknown, it is most likely a genetic predisposition. Optimizing your overall health is the best solution to prevent graying and hair loss.
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DISCLAIMER
While we strive to always provide accurate, current, and safe advice in all of our articles and guides, it’s important to stress that they are no substitute for medical advice from a doctor or healthcare provider. You should always consult a practicing professional who can diagnose your specific case. The content we’ve included in this guide is merely meant to be informational and does not constitute medical advice.
Additional References
Rhodes T, Girman CJ, Savin RC, Kaufman KD, Guo S, Lilly FR, Siervogel RM, Chumlea WC. Prevalence of male pattern hair loss in 18-49 year old men. Dermatol Surg. 1998 Dec;24(12):1330-2. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.1998.tb00009.x. PMID: 9865198.