Do you inherit hair loss from your father or your mother’s side?
There are many myths regarding the relationship between genetics and hair loss. One popular myth is that hair loss in men is passed down from the mother’s side of the family, while hair loss in women is passed down from the father’s side. Another is that the baldness gene can only ever be passed down from the mother’s side.
However, the truth is that the genes for hair loss and hair loss itself are actually passed down from both sides of the family. Hair loss results from a blend of genetic influences inherited from both parents.
Clinical research shows that the probability of male pattern hair loss is most dependent on family history (on both sides) and age. If you’ve started to notice early signs of hair loss, or if you want to get ahead of the hair loss you’ve seen older generations of your family experience, book a free consultation with a hair loss expert to discuss treatment options.
So, Do You Inherit Hair Loss from Mom or Dad?
Short answer? Yes! Genes passed from your mother’s side and your father’s side can both contribute to whether or not you experience hereditary hair loss.
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It’s also important to note that while genetic hair loss is the most common hair loss cause, hair loss can also be caused by a variety of factors that have nothing to do with either parent, including hormonal changes, medical reasons, stress, nutrient deficiencies, and more.
Related: Top 10 Reasons for Hair Loss
Baldness from Your Mother’s Side
The idea that the hair loss gene is passed on through the mother’s family is a persistent hair loss myth… but is it at all true?
Some people say that if you want to see your future hairline, you need to look at your mother’s father’s hair. This likely stems from the fact that one key gene, the androgen receptor gene, is found on the X chromosome and inherited from the mother.
However, that one gene doesn’t tell the whole story. We know now that hereditary hair loss is more complicated than that – over 60 other genes from both parents contribute. The genes for hair loss are passed on from both sides of the family.
So, if there are a lot of bald men throughout your family tree, whether on your father’s or mother’s side, it may be a good idea to start looking into preventative hair loss solutions.
Hair Loss from Parents: What Is Hereditary Hair Loss?
The type of hair loss that is passed down to individuals through genetics is known as androgenetic alopecia, or male/female pattern baldness.
Male pattern baldness usually begins at the hairline, causing hair loss on the forehead and at the temples first. It can occur as early as the late teens and early 20s, and usually works backward from the temples to eventually cause partial or total baldness on the top and sides of the scalp.
Female pattern baldness affects women differently in that it rarely results in total baldness. It’s typically a general thinning of the hair on the top and sides of the scalp. The receding hairline common in men is usually not exhibited by women with androgenetic alopecia.
Since hair loss is polygenic, involving over 60 contributing genes, hereditary hair loss can be unpredictable. Baldness genes may skip generations entirely, and are completely random in terms of which siblings (male or female) they will affect. They may even have very different effects on siblings in the same family. For example, if your twin brother has hair loss, this does not necessarily mean that you will experience hair loss as well.
While it’s hard to predict whether or not you will experience hereditary hair loss, it does follow a predictable pattern once it starts. Hereditary hair loss is a gradual process. If you’ve started to notice early signs of male or female pattern baldness, know that it will likely continue without proper hair loss treatment.
Treat Hereditary Hair Loss
If you would like to learn more about the causes of hair loss and available treatment options, schedule a free consultation with a Bosley professional. During your free consultation, a Bosley hair restoration expert will help determine the cause of your hair loss and create a personalized hair loss treatment plan.
What to do next?
To learn more about your hair restoration options and the average hair transplant timeline, The Complete Book on Hair Restoration, to see how great your hair can look. If you’re ready to do something about that bald spot or thinning hair now, schedule a FREE in-person or video consultation with a trained Bosley hair restoration specialist. Together with a Bosley Physician, we can help you find out what’s causing your balding and what treatment solution is right for you.