title: Baldness may be caused by the weight of the scalp: gravity as a proposed mechanism for hair loss.
abstract: Available theories on the etiology and pathogenesis of male pattern baldness have not been satisfactory. Nonetheless, the most widely adopted theory today is the androgenetic theory. The current article introduces a new theory. According to the new theory the pressure created by the weight of the scalp is the cause of the baldness. The weight of the whole scalp over the loose areolar tissue is the operative weight. Hair follicles are pressed between the scalp skin and the cranial bones. The soft tissues around the hair follicles work as a buffer against the pressure. When the buffer decreases and becomes inadequate with age the effective pressure on the hair follicles increases. Unlike the existing theories, the new theory is able to explain every feature of male and female pattern baldness and agrees completely with all scientifically established facts and produced data. The new theory promises a radical change in how baldness is conceived and treated. Notice by the author: The materials and methods that utilize the new theory described in this article for prevention and treatment of hair loss are in patent pending status.
authors.affiliation: 316 Escuela Avenue Apt. 101, Mountain View, CA 94040, United States. tuncay@pacbell.net
authors.forename: E Tuncay
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Ustuner
mesh_terms: D000505:Alopecia / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006112:Gravitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009929:Organ Size; D011312:Pressure; D012535:Scalp