Hair Loss Genetics: The information age has allowed the public at large to learn a good deal more about hair loss. People now recognize the link between genetics and hair loss, though even scientists have yet to agree on the exact role of genetics in the causation of baldness. Even so, science has developed several techniques to treat baldness. Hair loss most commonly afflicts men, with almost half of men experiencing hair loss by the age of fifty. Two out of three men experience hair loss by age sixty.

A common misconception holds that only men suffer from balding, but many women are also affected by hair loss. According to the American Health Journal, 21 million women in the United States are suffering from hair loss. By the age of 40, up to 50 percent of women will experience some form of hair loss or thinning. Doctors still debate why hair loss appears to affect the sexes differently. Regardless of gender, hair loss most often begins in people’s 20’s and 30’s, though it can occur as early as your teenage years.

Genetic Hair Loss

“Male pattern baldness” is the most common type of hair loss genetics. In fact, the American Health Journal reported that male pattern baldness causes 95 percent of male hair loss. Medically referred to as androgenetic alopecia, the condition can cause thinning, or overall baldness.

Women with hair loss also frequently have pattern baldness.  Though male pattern baldness accounts for most of men’s balding, hormonal changes, ovarian cysts, or the taking of high androgen (male hormone) birth control pills cause female hair loss. Pregnancy, menopause, and aging can also contribute. When women do experience androgenetic alopecia, it is attributed to the presence of androgens, or male hormones, in small amounts. Though the causes of hair loss may differ for each gender, the impending baldness has permanent results.

How is Baldness Inherited? The Process of Male Pattern Baldness Genetics:

Hair loss starts to occur as hair enters the resting, or telogen, phase instead of remaining in the growing, or anagen, phase. In men, male pattern baldness begins when testosterone mixes with the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. This then creates dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. Every person’s body naturally produces DHT. Those with the hair loss gene suffer from weak anagen receptors, or active hair follicles. DHT causes those follicles to shrink and miniaturize, until they disappear altogether. DHT mainly affects the hairline, crown, temples, and mid-anterior. Often times hair loss results in hair only being present in a shoe-like rim around the head. Though the hereditary process does not affect hair loss in women as often, DHT still miniaturizes the hair follicles and weakens them in females.

Where Does the Hair Loss Gene Come From?

About 40 million men in the United States suffer from some form of hair loss. Of these, two out of three experience male pattern baldness by the time they are 35 years old. By the age of 50, male pattern baldness affects 85 percent of men with hair loss genes. Doctors have several theories about the mechanics of hair loss genetics. One theory holds that the genetics of hair loss is an autosomal dominant and polygenic trait. This means the trait gets passed down and inherited from family members. Other family members commonly display the trait, which lends the theory credence. Studies have also located another hair loss gene in chromosome 20, furthering evidence that hair loss genetics can be inherited from either parent.

Another theory suggests the androgen receptor on the X chromosome holds a risk factor for inherited hair loss genetics. Under this belief, women pass down male pattern baldness through the generations. Though scientists still debate the exact genetics of hair loss, modern medicine has accepted that genes do play a critical role in who experiences baldness. These genes can also skip generations, remaining dormant. In fact, even when hair loss genes are active in some family members they can remain dormant in other members. That even holds true in the case of twins! In most men, hair loss begins with a receding hairline. It then spreads to the crown area.

Other Causes of Hair Loss

Besides genes, many other factors, including environment can cause hair loss. Some other environmental factors that may play a role in hair loss include hormonal changes, traction causing hair grooming practices, medications, or medical conditions. These factors affect individuals differently, leading to changes in hair ranging from thinning hair to full baldness. For more about causes of hair loss please read this article

Solutions for Hair Loss Genetics

Medical science has yet to discover a solution for treating hair loss genetics. Doctors hope to one day develop a form of Gene therapy for hair loss which can actually prevent balding altogether. For the moment, however, this kind of easy fix for hair loss remains only a dream.

Of course, the science of treating hair loss, regardless of cause, has long kept both doctors and make-up artists employed. Since humans first noticed hair loss, people have sought to conceal it using wigs or hairpieces, and in modern times, hair loss concealers like powders or crèmes. Though medications like Rogaine or Propecia have shown some efficacy in preventing hair loss, one medical treatment stands out as most effective: hair transplant.

Yet for years, hair transplantation posed risks of its own, and not all patients were deemed eligible. Early types of hair replacement like strip surgeries often looked unnatural, or resulted in heavy scarring. Even some kinds of Follicular Unit Extraction—a surgery which transports hair to cover bald parts of the head—would not work on patients with certain hair types.

Stunning Innovation
All that changed with the introduction of Dr.UGraft FUE procedure. As developed and patented by Dr. Sanusi Umar, Dr.UGraft procedure finally offers hope for people of all ethnicities, all levels of hair loss, and regardless of hair type. In short, Dr.UGraft extracts hair follicles from anywhere on the body and transports them to the head. This allows Dr. Umar to use hair follicles of different thickness and coarseness in the hair repair process. Dr.UGraft prevents damage to hair follicles during the extraction process, insuring healthy hair growth post-surgery. Even better, the versatility of Dr.UGraft allows Dr. Umar to reconstruct a full head of hair from scratch, creating a full, natural-looking head of hair. Patients can enjoy a fully restored hairline that frames their features and highlights natural beauty.

Dr.UGraft FUE carries little risk of complications, and is a non-invasive procedure performed in an office setting. Following surgery, wounds generally heal in less than a month, with new hair growth progressing over the course of a year. Patients who undergo Dr.UGraft FUE, including those suffering severe baldness from genetics, can have their hair restored to a full, natural look!

Frequently Asked Questions – Hair Loss Genetics:

I’m a younger person and have other members of my family that have experienced hair loss… is hair loss genetic?

It’s hard to say. Doctors continue to research the exact nature of genetic baldness. Even for patients who do suffer from hair loss due to genetics, the condition may not result in total baldness. Hair loss genetics can happen to different degrees, and affects everyone differently.

What are the factors of male pattern baldness genetics? Which parent determines hair loss? What steps can I take to avoid genetic baldness?

As previously mentioned, scientists believe male pattern baldness results from genetic inheritance. Some doctors believe the baldness gene is passed down via the X chromosome from mother to child. Other scientists studying the genetics of baldness believe either parent can pass the gene to a child.

In either case, patients who have begun to experience hair loss due to genetics should consult with a physician like Dr. Umar. Certain drugs like Rogaine have shown efficacy in preventing further hair loss when taken on a regular basis. Doctors do not consider medications like Rogaine effective in regrowing hair.

Although I’m young I fear a may show the early signs of genetic hair loss… is the Dr.UGraft right for me?

Very possibly. Patients, particularly younger patients who have just begun to notice hair loss, should consult with Dr. Umar. Dr. Umar can develop a treatment plan tailored to an individual patient’s needs, which may involve medications or hair transplant. Severity of hair loss often determines a method of treatment, as does patient age. Dr. Umar does not recommend treatment with Dr.UGraft FUE in younger patients, as the patient can continue to grow and undergo further changes in appearance.