Hair Loss Due To Genetics

While most of us are thankful for what our parents or extended family have done for us throughout our lives, we’re not always overly enthusiastic when we hear that certain genetic issues such as hair loss can be inherited from them.

Urban myths claim that you will always inherit the hair of the men on your mother’s side – but as any hair loss experts will tell you, there are a lot more factors involved and it’s never as simple as you expect.

How do genetics affect hereditary hair loss?

In 2005, a widely circulated research paper found that there was a link between inherited baldness and the androgen receptor gene. This discovery was considered relatively ground-breaking at the time, with many individuals mis-construing the data to mean that the problem with the receptors could have been inherited.

Obviously, there was little evidence in the study to state that this was the case and a second study carried out in 2017 found that there were links between not just the androgen receptor gene, but a further 290 genetic predictors. Furthermore, out of all the individuals studied who possessed the majority of these predictors, only 58% actually experienced any hair loss.

Ultimately, every male in your family on either side could be bald, but this is no indication that you will also be bald – especially when third party influences have not been taken into account.

Simply put, hair loss in relation to inherited genetics is a lottery.

So, why do I keep hearing about hereditary hair loss?

Sadly, it is a case of an old wives’ tale. Male or female pattern baldness is known as androgenetic alopecia in the medical community, and the known triggers for the condition have never truly been linked to inherited genetics.

Androgenetic alopecia can be caused by any one of the factors discussed with the Info Hub on Hair Growth Studio, and is more likely to occur due as a result of trauma, stress, pregnancy, iron deficiencies or many others.

What can I do about hereditary hair loss or hair loss due to genetics?

There are usually three routes to choose from if you are worried that you are dealing with hereditary hair loss.

• Discuss the issue with your GP, and try to ascertain whether or not there are any issues with your hormone levels, or other medical problems that may be causing you to shed hair.

• If tests from your GP come back normal, then you can choose either a surgical or non-surgical approach.

• If you decide to take a surgical approach, the most popular method is known as follicular unit extraction where each individual follicle from an area of dense hair (such as the back of the head), and re-planted in the area where hair loss has occurred. This surgery tends to be very expensive in the UK – often reaching between £7,500-£10,000 depending on the coverage needed. In recent years, Turkey has emerged as a treatment destination with many individuals reporting a great amount of success. It should be noted, however, that practicing standards differ between the UK and Turkey.

• A non-surgical approach to hereditary hair loss can be much more affordable and safer than surgery with guaranteed results. These hair systems do not need to be removed and only require periodic maintenance throughout the year at the hair loss clinic of your choice. Another benefit that many people forget, is that surgical approaches to hair loss improve all the time and so many people would prefer to take a non-surgical approach initially as they wait for the technology behind hair loss surgery to become more advanced.

If you are worried that you are suffering from hair loss due to inherited genetics, at the Hair Growth Studio, we will always be available to provide you with support as well as numerous effective therapies to help you recover. So, please book a consultation with the Hair Growth Studio if you’d like personally-tailored advice from an expert.