When it comes to hair loss, you can often see your future by looking at the past. That’s because the odds are pretty high that the hair loss issues you are dealing with are part of your family history. Androgenetic alopecia, more commonly known as pattern baldness, is a hereditary hair loss condition that is the culprit behind 95% of hair loss cases. But when you get together with your family and see a balding parent, grandparent, uncle, or aunt, does that necessarily mean you will be following in their hair loss footsteps?
The truth is that if you’re a man, look at your maternal grandfather and your own dad to get a sense of where your scalp is headed. Many of the genes that play a role in hair loss tend to come from your maternal grandfather, even though genes from all of your parents and grandparents also can be a factor. If your maternal grandfather is bald or has hair loss issues, you are likely a candidate for thinning hair yourself.
If you’re a man, your mom’s dad’s genes play an outsized role in your hair loss future because you only have one set of X chromosome genes, as opposed to two sets of autosomal genes. For the latter, you can have one set that causes baldness and one that doesn’t, giving you a moderate chance of losing your hair. However, since you only have that single set of x chromosome genes, which you share with your maternal grandfather, a baldness-related gene will be the only game in town, and that means you have a much higher risk of developing androgenetic alopecia.
Call the Miami Hair & Skin Institute Today For Your Androgenetic Alopecia Evaluation
While looking at your genetic heritage will give you some clues as to what to expect to see in your mirror over the coming years, it is not definitive or a foregone conclusion. Researchers are still studying the interaction of various genetic and other factors that contribute to hair loss. But one thing we do know for sure: we now have plentiful options for addressing hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia. Advancements in medicine, technology, and techniques have made hair restoration more available, more effective, and more convenient than ever before.
At the Miami Hair & Skin Institute, we pride ourselves on offering the most innovative approaches to hair restoration, and our surgeons are world-renowned experts in hair transplant surgery and other treatments.
Schedule an appointment with the Miami Hair & Skin Institute today by calling 305.925.0222.