Name a common pattern of male baldness.

Androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness, is the most prevalent form of hair loss in men. It is characterized by a progressive thinning and loss of hair, typically starting at the temples and crown of the head. This condition is linked to genetic factors and is influenced by hormones, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which affects hair follicles and results in their miniaturization over time.

In contrast, alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing patchy hair loss and does not typically follow a pattern like androgenetic alopecia. Telogen effluvium is a temporary condition often triggered by stress or hormonal changes that leads to overall hair thinning; it does not present in a specific pattern like male pattern baldness. Scarring alopecia refers to a group of conditions that destroy hair follicles and replace them with scar tissue, leading to permanent hair loss in affected areas rather than a progressive, patterned loss.

Understanding the distinctions among these conditions helps clarify why androgenetic alopecia is diagnosed specifically by its unique progression and pattern of hair loss in men.