Genetics dictate how you look and how you grow. Genetics also dictates certain diseases and conditions, such as baldness. While not all causes of baldness are genetic, the most common cause is. Also known as hereditary-pattern baldness, genetics will determine if you maintain a lush head of hair, or require hair restoration services as you age.
How Do Genetics Result in Hair Loss?
You may have heard that the mother’s family dictates hair loss. Such folk wisdom has been debunked – the genes that cause hair loss come from both parents.
A form of testosterone starts to reduce the hair growth cycle, resulting in miniaturized hair. As time progresses, some areas of the scalp will stop growing hair altogether. These areas form the standard pattern of hair loss for which the genetic cause of hair loss is named. The patterns are different in men and women, with women’s hair typically being lost at the top of the head, and then down the middle – instead of the receded hair line or vertex baldness seen in men.
What Are the Symptoms of Genetic Hair Loss?
Anyone experiencing hair loss will benefit from determining if their hair loss is rooted in genetic causes or other causes. Disease, malnutrition and stress can often create hair loss that may be reversible. However, hereditary-pattern baldness is permanent.
Genetic hair loss starts at different ages and happens at different speeds. Some wisdom advises that you look for increased hairs on your pillow, shower drain or comb. Since the average person who is not balding loses approximately 100 hairs per day, noticing hair is not a reliable way of determining if you’re balding.
Hereditary-pattern baldness earned its name because of the patterns of lost hair. Men and women will both experience predictable patterns if the cause is hereditary.
In men, it’s common to see receding of the hairline near the temples, followed by losing hair at the vertex. The amount of hair and speed it is lost is determined by your genetics.
What Forms of Treatments Are Available?
There are two medicinal treatments, minoxidil and finasteride, which may help prevent hair loss and may even catalyze new growth. However, their effects are unpredictable and are often ineffective with hereditary-pattern baldness. Any new hair growth is typically lost once the patient stops regularly using the treatment as well.
All hope is not lost, however. Some forms of hair restoration treatment will help those with hereditary pattern baldness:
- Hair transplants. Tiny plugs of hair are moved from the back of your scalp to where they’re needed. Newer technology has improved the results of this technique.
- Scalp reduction. Physically decreasing the size of your balding or bald region is possible by removing strips of bald scalp.
- Hair flaps. Strips of skin with excellent hair growth may be moved from one area to another.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Consulting a doctor may be done at any time to have a thorough examination of your situation and have any questions answered. You may even explore different forms of preventative treatments that may slow the rate of hair loss, as well as discuss cosmetic surgery.
We Are Your Hair Loss Prevention Experts
Struggling with hair loss is common and treatments are available to help. We encourage you to find out more about the variety of options available to treat hair loss in men and women. It’s important to consult with an experienced and trained restoration professional.
To learn more about which treatment option is right for you, schedule a Frank & Honest Hair Consultation or contact our team in New York City or Columbus, Ohio.
