Hair Loss and Getting Older

Hey Doctor Rassman,

Got a few questions:

1. Can you explain to me the link between aging/being older and male pattern baldness?

2. Do you think that any lifestyle or diet changes are effective at preventing MPB? Other than surgery and medication what else do you reccomend? Aerobic exercise? Lowering insulin levels?

3. I have heard that is better to start dealing with hair loss before it has begun. Is this true or even possible?

4. Have you had a HT yourself? You look great btw.

Keep up the good work.

1. Hair densities and thickness of the shafts can change with age. In some very elderly men, we see a condition looking like diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA), which produces a see-through appearance of the donor area. Some doctors refer to this as senile alopecia.

2. Nothing that can be done with diet or lifestyle to fully prevent genetic hair loss. Just maintain a normal and healthy nutritional status.

3. From a social point of view, the earlier one starts medications like finasteride, the less advanced will be the hair loss. Hair transplants are another option that can and should be explored, but they are not for everyone.

4. Thank you. Yes, I had a bald crown. There are photos of my non-transplanted hairline and transplanted crown here.