Grooming among men is not the same as it used to be. Men too are conscious about their looks and how they present themselves. They pay close attention to their clothes, accessories, and hairstyles. It is safe to say that men are equally on par with women when it comes to grooming. One thing that men are most particular about is their hair. As a result, they often panic when they start to lose their hair.

While a bald look is quite common these days, most men are afraid of how it would look. Sadly, one of the biggest causes of hair loss in men is in fact male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness, medically known as androgenic alopecia, is a condition that causes a gradual thinning and loss of hair. This condition was once speculated to be triggered by a recessive sex-linked gene. However, recent studies prove that it is not true. Additionally, the condition can skip generations.

Every hair strand has a specific growth cycle. This cycle gets weaker due to testosterone levels in the body along with the byproduct known as Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This leads to male pattern baldness. In order to get it treated, one would need to understand how far along the condition has progressed. Here are the stages of male pattern baldness:

1. Stage 1
The initial stage of the condition shows no traces of hair loss in the hairline or on the crown of your head, making it impossible to detect.

2. Stage 2
The next stage marks the progression of the condition with one’s receding hairline. However, the hair loss that occurs at this stage is mild and barely noticeable.

3. Stage 3
The third stage is when the hairline and crown have noticeable effects. The hairline recedes from the sides of your temples, transforming your hairline into an M-like shape.

4. Stage 4
This stage of male pattern baldness involves heavy hair fall at your forehead and temples. Hair loss occurring at the crown of your head is now completely visible.

5. Stage 5
This stage is essentially the start of severe hair loss. The crown and the hairline are separated by a band of hair. This band of hair also gradually gets thinner with the progression of the condition.

6. Stage 6
The sixth stage of male pattern hair loss leaves a few hair strands on the crown of your head. The hair that is left creates the shape of a horseshoe around the area that is balding.

7. Stage 7
At the seventh stage of male pattern baldness, hair is left only on the back of your head. Since your hair growth on this part of your head is denser, it doesn’t lose as much hair as the other areas.