Hair loss is a common condition that affects most men at some point in their lives. For many men, noticeable hair loss often begins in their 20s or 30s, but it can start as early as puberty or the late teens. The most common type of hair loss in men is male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia. This condition is related to hormones and genetics, and causes a receding hairline and/or bald spot on the crown of the head.
What causes hair loss in men?
There are a few key factors that contribute to hair loss in men:
- Genetics – Male pattern baldness is strongly linked to genetics. Men who have close male relatives with balding are more likely to experience hair loss themselves.
- Hormones – Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a byproduct of the male hormone testosterone. Higher levels of DHT can cause the hair follicles to shrink, leading to thinning and hair loss over time.
- Age – Hair loss tends to occur as men get older, though it can start at any age after puberty. Hair follicles miniaturize and the growth phases shorten as men age.
Other potential causes include illness, stress, medications, poor nutrition, and damage or trauma to the scalp. However, for most men genetics and male hormones are the primary factors.
What are the stages of male pattern baldness?
Male pattern baldness typically progresses through defined stages:
- Stage 1 – Minimal hair loss characterized by a minor receding hairline. Many men have some recession at the temples early on.
- Stage 2 – Increased receding at the temples and hair thinning at the crown. The receding hairline often forms an “M” shape.
- Stage 3 – More extensive hair loss. The balding areas on the crown expand and join together, and the receding temples extend further back.
- Stage 4 – Severe hair loss becomes apparent. At this stage men often have a horseshoe pattern of hair remaining around the back and sides of the head.
- Stage 5 – Advanced thinning with only a partial horseshoe of hair remaining. The sides may be bald or have sparse wispy hair.
- Stage 6 – Typically total baldness. No hair remains on the top of the scalp though fringe hair remains at the temples and back of the scalp.
It’s important to note that the progression can be highly variable between individuals. Not all men will progress through every stage of baldness.
At what age does hair loss start?
On average, men begin to notice signs of hair loss in their:
- Late teens – Around 18% of men start having noticeable hair loss by age 18.
- 20s – More than 35% of men have visible hair loss by age 30.
- 30s – About 50% of men have some degree of male pattern baldness by age 40.
- 40s – Over 65% of men have thinning hair by age 49.
- 50s – Approximately 80% of men have significant hair loss by age 60.
However, the age hair loss begins can vary substantially between individuals based on genetic and hormonal factors. Some men start to see signs of a receding hairline in their late teens or early 20s. For others, the balding process may not begin until their 40s or later.
At what age does hair loss peak?
For the majority of men with male pattern baldness, the most rapid hair loss typically occurs in their:
- 30s – For many men, the 30s are when the most noticeable balding happens. On average, men lose about 30-50 hairs per day in their 20s. This accelerates to 50-100 hairs (or more) per day in their 30s.
- 40s – Hair loss often continues to accelerate through the 40s. It’s common for men to advance 1-2 stages of baldness during this decade as hair follicles further deteriorate.
- 50s – By age 50, most men are experiencing substantial balding. However, the rate of hair loss tends to gradually decline in the 50s and beyond.
Severe cases of hair loss may progress quickly over just a few years in the late 20s or 30s before stabilizing. But for most men, the 30s and 40s are the decades when the most drastic balding occurs.
At what age does hair loss slow down or stop?
For those with male pattern baldness, hair loss often slows down significantly after age 50. By this age, many men have already experienced advanced balding over their crowns and only have a horseshoe pattern remaining.
Barring advanced cases, most men’s hair will stabilize in their 50s and substantial new hair loss is uncommon past age 60. However, hair growth also continues to slow with age, so any remaining hair may become thinner and more wispy into old age.
There are exceptions – some men continue receding into their 60s or 70s before stabilizing. But generally, hair loss plateaus by the 50s and 60s. The miniaturization of hair follicles ends, though the inactive follicles no longer regrow meaningful hair.
What percentage of men experience hair loss by age?
Here is an overview of studies estimating the percentage of men affected by noticeable hair loss by decade:
| Age | Percent of men affected |
| 20 | 20% |
| 30 | 35% |
| 40 | 50% (approx) |
| 50 | 65% (approx) |
| 60+ | 80% (approx) |
The numbers above reflect men having visible hair loss – at least a slightly receding hairline or thinning crown. Approximately 40% of men have some degree of hair loss by age 40. By age 50, around two thirds of men have noticeable loss of hair.
It’s worth noting that approximately 25% of balding men first begin experiencing hair loss before age 21. So while 35% of men may show signs of male pattern baldness by 30, many started losing hair much earlier.
What causes hair loss to slow down and stabilize?
There are a few reasons why balding slows down and often stops entirely after middle age:
- The hair growth cycle changes – Hair follicles have a growth, transition, and rest phase. As men age, the growth phases shorten and rest phases lengthen.
- Reduced hormone levels – Testosterone and DHT levels naturally decrease as men get older. Lower androgens mean reduced impact on hair follicles.
- Most follicles are already inactive – By age 50+, most susceptible follicles have already miniaturized and become inactive.
- Genes switch off – The genes responsible for hair loss become less active with age.
In other words – diminished hormones, altered growth cycles, and changes in gene activity all contribute to stabilized, but thinner, hair after middle age.
Can hair loss re-occur or progress later in life?
It’s uncommon for substantial new hair loss to occur after age 60. However, some men do continue receding or thinning into old age, for reasons like:
- Ongoing DHT production – Androgens remain present even with decline after 50.
- Chronic illness – Conditions like thyroid disorders may accelerate loss.
- Medications – Drugs with hormonal effects can lead to thinning.
- Delayed onset – Some men don’t see hair loss until later ages.
- Damage to follicles – Injury, scarring, infections, etc. may destroy follicles.
While relatively rare, some men beyond middle age continue to recede or thin gradually over years or decades before stabilizing again. Permanent baldness remains possible even into the 70s or 80s if additional follicles miniaturize.
Shedding vs. balding later in life
Note that increased shedding is also common in older men. But heavy shedding does not always mean progressive balding. Shedding is often seasonal or related to factors like stress, and is not the same as receding hairlines or diffuse thinning. But distinguishing between shedding and balding can be difficult.
Can hair loss restart after stabilization?
Hair loss becoming active again after a stable period is uncommon but can happen in some scenarios:
- Hormonal changes – Testosterone replacement therapy or anabolic steroids may re-trigger hair loss.
- Medical conditions – Thyroid disorders, nutrient deficiencies, etc. arising later in life may restart balding.
- Medications – Certain prescription drugs and supplements can potentially affect DHT and testosterone.
- Significant stress – Extreme psychological stress may shift hormone balances.
- Dramatic weight loss – Crash dieting has been associated with diffusing shedding.
However, most men with stabilized balding after 60 do not undergo renewed hair loss unless exposed to internal or external factors substantially impacting hormone levels, health, or nutrient status. But it remains possible under the right circumstances.
Can hair fully stabilize? Is a cure possible?
For the majority of men, hair will stabilize by the 60s and substantial new loss becomes unlikely. However:
- Hair may continue miniaturizing slowly over years or decades before stabilizing again.
- Follicles don’t “cure” – once a follicle has miniaturized and become inactive, it won’t produce meaningful hair again.
- Total, permanent stabilization is impossible based on current knowledge – aging, hormones, and unknown factors mean further recession remains possible.
In other words – hair may stabilize and stop receding for years at a time after a certain age. But predicting it will remain permanently stable regardless of any health or lifestyle changes is uncertain based on our current understanding of male pattern baldness.
Has a cure for hair loss been found?
There is currently no known permanent cure for male pattern baldness based on published scientific evidence. However, treatments are available that can slow hair loss and regrow hair to varying degrees. The most common options include:
- Minoxidil – Applied topically, minoxidil helps prolong the growth phase of hair follicles to encourage regrowth. However, minoxidil must be used continuously to maintain benefits.
- Finasteride – An oral medication that blocks DHT and also prolongs growth phases. It slows loss and helps regrow hair as long as it is taken.
- PRP injections – Injections of platelet-rich plasma may stimulate follicles and induce regrowth when used in combination with other treatments.
- Laser devices – Low-level laser light devices may improve hair density when used consistently. Results vary widely.
- Hair transplants – A surgical procedure where DHT-resistant follicles are harvested from the back of the scalp and transferred to thinning areas.
These treatments can help retain hair and provide variable degrees of regrowth. But they require ongoing, lifelong use in most cases and do not prevent future hair loss. A one-time cure that permanently stops genetic hair loss does not currently exist.
Conclusion
For most men, noticeable hair loss related to male pattern baldness begins in the late teens through thirties. The most rapid hair loss tends to occur in the 30s and 40s for men who are genetically predisposed to baldness. However, the balding process slows dramatically after age 50 for the majority of men as hormone levels decline and susceptible follicles have already miniaturized.
It’s uncommon for substantial new hair loss to begin after the 60s and 70s when most men have already stabilized into later stages of baldness. But hair does not reach a point of being permanently stable – additional recession over time remains possible based on changes in health, hormones, medications and unknown factors.
Though treatments are available to slow hair loss and stimulate regrowth, a true permanent cure for genetic hair loss does not currently exist. Men looking to slow balding or improve hair density do have options, but remaining perpetually stable or regrowing a full head of hair after substantial loss is currently unlikely based on published research.