Male pattern baldness, a common condition, which affect millions of people worldwide. Everyone knows genetics plays a crucial role in determining whether an individual will experience hair loss. Perhaps you've even heard your hair loss comes primarily from the mother's side.
However, there are a lot of myths and misinformation about the genetic causes of male pattern baldness (MPB). One of the most enduring myths is that a man inherits baldness from his mother. While there is some truth to this, it is not the whole story.
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Is Balding Genetic? Yes...and...
The short answer to ‘is alopecia hereditary?’ or ‘is balding genetic?’, is Yes.
Scientific research shows genetics plays a fundamental role in the development of male pattern baldness. At the core of this condition lies the androgen receptor (AR) gene, located on the X chromosome. This single gene is sensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent form of testosterone, and its activity is central to hair follicle health and growth.
There are various forms of alopecia, with the most common being androgenetic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia, is characterized by a predictable pattern of hair loss, typically starting with a receding hairline and thinning at the crown. This condition is primarily influenced by genetics, making it a hereditary trait. Researchers have identified that a particular gene on the X chromosome, known as the androgen receptor (AR) gene, is closely associated with male pattern baldness.
Androgenetic alopecia is also known as male-pattern baldness, or female-pattern baldness. This type of hair loss is strongly influenced by genetic predisposition. Thus, individuals with a family history of androgenetic alopecia are more likely to experience this type of hair loss themselves.
Does Baldness Come From Your Father or Mother?
Where does baldness come from? When it comes to inheriting the predisposition for male pattern baldness, both parents contribute to our genetic makeup.
While it was once thought that this trait was solely inherited from the mother's side, recent studies have shed light on the fact that genetic factors from both parents significantly influence the likelihood of experiencing baldness.
This hereditary trait is believed to be passed down through a combination of genes from both parents. Baldness is inherited through a recessive gene.
The key player in this inheritance is the androgen receptor gene, located on the X chromosome. The X chromosome carries the AR gene responsible for male pattern baldness. Since men inherit one X chromosome from their mother and one Y chromosome from their dad's side, they receive the baldness gene from their maternal lineage.
A study from the University of Bonn in Germany from 2005 confirmed this, and added fuel to the mother myth. And it is true: this hereditary factor is more dominant from their maternal lineage. Additionally, the baldness gene may skip generations, and skip people within the same generation. If your dad has a full head of hair but your mom’s brother is a 5 on the Norwood Scale at age 35, chances are you will follow your uncle’s journey through male pattern baldness.
The genetic result means that there are millions of families where the older brother gets the George Clooney hair while the younger brother is stuck with the Vin Diesel look, or vice versa.
Furthermore, if you take four brothers it is absolutely possible to have a Norwood 3, 5 and 7 and a fourth brother with no male pattern baldness at all within that same family. Thus, if most of the men on your mom’s side and your father’s side are bald, then you, your sons and brothers all have an increased propensity to experience male pattern baldness. The probability of male pattern hair loss is dependent on family history and age.
How Do Environmental Factors Affect Balding?
While genetics undeniably lay the foundation for male pattern baldness, it is essential to acknowledge the role of environmental factors. Elements such as hormonal fluctuations, nutritional habits, stress levels, and lifestyle choices can exert a significant influence on the onset and progression of baldness.
Additionally, medical conditions, medications, and overall health can impact the expression of baldness genes. Therefore, genetic predisposition is just one facet of the multifaceted picture that determines an individual's susceptibility to male pattern baldness.
What Can You Do If You Got The Short End Of The "Baldness Gene" Stick?
Genetics are tricky, and sometimes, the results can seem unfair to us. Luckily, we live in an era when you don’t have to sit by and simply watch your hair thin away to nothing. There are many FDA-approved medical advances in hair restoration that help you keep the hair you have, and even if you think you are too far gone, chances are you may be a candidate for a hair transplant.
If you’re ready to take on the challenge of getting your hair restored, RESTORE hair offers several locations throughout the country to help you invest in yourself. Click to get a quote today!
Contact my clinic for a consultation or ask me a question about your unique situation and how we might treat it.
Dr. James Harris is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, inventor of patented follicular unit excision technology, published author in the field of hair restoration and an advocate for patient care. He is currently at the forefront of research and development in the field of hair cloning.
