Everyone experiences some form of hair thinning as they grow older. This could be from a number of factors, but if you have thinning hair concentrated in certain areas, it may be something genetic, or hereditary-pattern baldness.
What is hereditary-pattern baldness?
This is one of the most common causes of hair loss. It is caused through a combination of aging, genetics and varying hormone levels. For women, this may be called androgenetic alopecia. For men, it could be referred to as male-pattern baldness.
There are specific symptoms to look for, including thinning of the hair, then complete hair loss in certain areas of the scalp. This is diagnosed by patterns in the hair, and the history of your family.
How to know if you are destined for thinning hair?
It’s important to understand a few things:
- Normal life cycle of the hair follicle
- Every person has a certain number of hair follicles, which varies per individual
- There are different symptoms for men and women
Women have androgenetic alopecia, or female pattern baldness. This is a hereditary condition. A woman could inherit those genes from one parent, or both. Hair thinning could also result from a decline in estrogen. In most instances, women do not experience bald spots, nor do they experience a receding hairline.
Men with male pattern baldness has been confirmed as a hereditary condition. In most cases, this condition begins at the front hairline, causing the hair to recede.
Although having thinning hair is a touch or go condition, you can look at your immediate family members and make an assessment about whether or not there is a probability of you having a genetic trait that could potentially affect your hair in later years.
Symptoms of Thinning Hair
- Bald Patches
- Shedding
- Smaller ponytails
- Visible Scalp
- Weight
All of these are symptoms that warrant a closer look into what’s going on, and your genetic makeup. The little changes that take place can have a lasting effect, but determining whether or not you are having any of these symptoms before it becomes a serious issue is key. There are a number of things you can do to help hair growth and circumvent this occurrence as best as you can. You will never fully know if you are destined for thinning hair, but knowing your genetic history will help you gain the information you need so you can better prepare in the future.
With today’s technology, thinning hair does not have to be the end result. Consult with your doctor to see how you can work at ensuring your hair is healthy and growing.
Are You Experiencing Hair Loss?
Hair loss is frustrating no matter the season, which is why Dr. John Frank is always ready to restore your hair with high-quality hair transplants. Visit our website today to receive a free hair loss appraisal and learn more about restoring and protecting your hair.
