I have to give a presentation for my Human Anatomy class. I was allowed to chose any subject that relates to the human body. This was a easy and really amusing assignment.
1. Male Patterned Baldness is also
known as Androgenic alopecia. It
is estimated to affect
approximately 35 million men in
the United States.
2. Male pattern baldness is related to
genes andsex hormones. It usually
follows a pattern of receding hairline
and hair thinning on the crown, and is
caused by hormones and genetic
predisposition.
3. What exactly is hair?
• Hair is part of the Integumentary system of
the human body.
• The Integumentary system is divided into two
major components: cutaneous membrane
(skin- epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis) and
accessory structures (hair, nails, and exocrine
glands)
• Hairs are nonliving accessory structures that
form in organs called hair follicles.
4. Why do we have Hair?
• There is about 5 million hairs on a body. 98%
of those hairs are found on the general body
surface, not on the head!
• 100,000 hairs on the head protect that scalp
from ultraviolet light, cushions a blow to the
head, and provides insulation for the skull.
• Nostril hairs, ear hairs, and eyelashes prevent
entry of foreign particles.
5. Three Major Types of Hair
• Vellus hairs, also known as “peach fuzz” are
found over much of the body surface.
• Intermediate hairs change in their
distribution, such as the hairs of the upper
and lower limbs.
• Terminal hairs are heavy, more deeply
pigmented, and can be curly. The hairs on
your head, including your eyebrows and
eyelashes are examples of terminal hairs.
6. Growth and Replacement of Hair
• A hair in the scalp grows for 2-5 years at a rate of
0.33mm/day.
• In healthy adults, about 50 hairs are lost each
day.
• Each hair follicle goes through growth cycles
involving active and resting stages.
• In males, changes in the level of sex hormones
circulating in the blood can affect the scalp,
causing a shift from terminal hair to vellus hair
production. This alteration is called male pattern
baldness.
7. Classic male pattern baldness is usually
diagnosed based on the appearance
and pattern of the hair loss.
8. Complications
• Male pattern baldness does not indicate a
medical disorder, but it may affect self-esteem
or cause anxiety. The hair loss is usually
permanent.
9. Treatment
• Treatments are not necessary if you are
comfortable with your appearance.
• Hair weaving, hair pieces, or changes in hair
style are the most cost efficient and safest
treatments.
10. Treatment
• Medications are available for hair loss, but
they are not permanent solutions, and do not
guarantee results.
• Hair transplants are another treatment
option. Many men have had excellent results
with hair transplants, and they are
permanent. However, they are very expensive,
require multiple sessions, and could cause
minor scarring and infection.
11. Treatment
• Suturing hair pieces to the scalp is not
recommended. It can result in scars,
infections, and abscess of the scalp. The use of
hair implants made of artificial fibers was
banned by the FDA because of the high rate of
infection.
12. We are not Alone
• Humans are not the only species that have hair loss.
• Androgenic alopecia also occurs in chimpanzeesand orangutans
• There is no consensus regarding the evolution of male pattern
baldness
• Some theories suggest that frontal balding in primate species
conveys increased status and maturity level.
13. • One Theory suggest baldness evolved in males
through sexual selection as an enhanced
signal of aging and social maturity, whereby,
aggression and risk-taking decrease and
nurturing behaviors increase.