It is a commonly held belief that alopecia is genetic and is passed down through the mother’s side of the family; a quick inspection of your maternal hairline could be a good indication of what is in store for you. However, determining whether alopecia is genetic, and is therefore likely to result in hair loss, is not quite as simple as it sounds – while genetics are a prime culprit in causing hair loss, there are several other contributing factors.
Alopecia is the general medical term for hair loss. It is commonly associated with androgenetic alopecia, known more commonly as pattern hair loss. This is the most common form of hair loss, in both men and women, affecting around half of all men by the time they reach their 50s.
Balding due to androgenetic alopecia is indeed caused by genetics, but there are other forms of hair loss that are not caused by genetic predisposition, such as:
- Alopecia Areata: Hair loss caused by an autoimmune response to stress
- Traction Alopecia: Hair loss from trauma and tension to hair follicles
- Ciatricial Alopeica: Hair loss from infections and inflammation of the follicles
Genes still play a part in these other forms of alopecia, for example, through our immune responses or the relative strength of our hair follicles.
Is There A Baldness Gene?
Baldness is a polygenetic condition, which means that it is caused by the interaction of hundreds of related genes that control a number of bodily functions. These genes respond to changes in the environment, such as our hormonal and stress levels, and influence when hair loss begins.
The majority of these genes are indeed inherited from the mother’s side of the family, but not all the blame can be attributed to your mother. A number of important genes are inherited from the father’s side of the family, and balding fathers are a great predictor of the future fate of your hair.
In pattern hair loss, some genes are thought to activate the overproduction of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that binds to hair follicles and causes them to shrink, thereby resulting in gradual thinning and eventually more severe and irreversible hair loss.
What Can Be Done About It?
Hair loss can be humiliating and embarrassing. Unfortunately, many people suffer in silence because they simply are not aware of the treatments that are available.
Due to the wide variety of hair loss conditions, it is difficult to treat a patient without a full diagnosis. Hair loss could be triggered by things such as stress, anxiety, poor nutrition, poor hair maintenance, and also the side effects of medication.
In cases of genetic hair loss, there are some hugely effective treatments that can help save your hair. These treatments include:
- Laser therapy
- PRP stem cell treatment
- Approved hair regrowth medications
- Strand-by-Strand® hair replacement
To find out more about the cause of your hair loss and the available treatments, contact Advanced Hair Studio today for a Complimentary Advanced Hair Check.
Contact Advanced Hair Studio Australia For Genetic Hair Loss Solutions
Advanced Hair Studio offers a wide range of hair loss treatments that will help you take back your youth and confidence. Take a complimentary Advanced Hair Check today, so that we can put your mind at ease.
Restore Your Confidence Today:
- Call Advanced Hair Studio on 0800 424 252
- Book a Complimentary Advanced Hair Check
- Complete our online consultation form