Normal Senile Alopecia
Photo #1, age 28
Photo #2, age 62
Photo #3, age 85
Photo #4, age 100
Normal "senile" alopecia is the medical term for the gradual thinning of hair over a man's entire head. This condition typically begins in midlife and usually becomes cosmetically significant around 60 or older. All persons are affected to a greater or lesser extent.
These photographs of Dr. Elliott's grandfater, Dr. J.T. Waggener, illustrate normal senile alopecia. Photo #1 shows Dr. Waggener at age 28 with a very thick head of hair. In Photo #2, taken at age 62, his hair is slightly thinner, but has retained much of it's density. Photo #3 taken at age 85, illustrates further thinning. Photo #4, which was taken at age 100 shows Dr. Waggener's most advanced stage of hair thinning.
Normal senile alopecia may account for the acceleration of Male Pattern Baldness in some men during their later years.