How does baldness seem to happen symmetrically on someone’s head, and why does the side + back not go bald?
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Baldness usually occurs due to a combination of genetics and hormones. The specific pattern of baldness is determined by how sensitive hair follicles are to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In individuals with a genetic predisposition, DHT can shrink hair follicles on the top of the head, causing the hair to become finer and shorter until it stops growing altogether.
The reason why the sides and back of the head are less affected by baldness is that the hair follicles in these areas are less sensitive to DHT. This is why they continue to produce thicker and longer hair even when the hair on the top of the head is thinning. The symmetry of baldness often results from the fact that the genetics influencing hair follicle sensitivity to DHT are usually present throughout the scalp, leading to a consistent pattern of hair loss.
If you’ve ever seen someone with a horseshoe-shaped hairline, that’s because the sides and back are relatively resistant to the effects of DHT, creating this common pattern of balding.
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