You may be more likely to go bald if your dad is bald — but this isn't always the case. The AR gene is found on the X chromosome. In men, the X chromosome is inherited from your mother. That's why many people believe the baldness gene comes from your mum's side of the family.
There is a strong genetic component to male pattern baldness, so it is more likely that a son will go bald if his father is bald. However, it is not inevitable. There are other factors that can contribute to male pattern baldness, such as hormones and lifestyle (DHT specifically).
The X or female chromosome carries the primary baldness gene, and men inherit this X chromosome from their mothers. This makes the hereditary factor around baldness most dominant on your mother's side. However, the male pattern baldness gene is polygenic, which means it is caused by more than one gene.
So, if you have the X-linked baldness gene, you're likely to go bald. If you have one or more of these other baldness genes too, you're even more likely to go bald! This is why if your dad is bald, you may go bald as well. Your dad probably passed some of those non-X-linked baldness genes onto you.
You're less likely to experience male pattern baldness if you're of Chinese or Japanese descent. Male pattern baldness doesn't typically affect Native American, First Nations and Alaska Native peoples. You're more likely to have male pattern baldness if you have a family history of it.
While it is not uncommon for males to begin experiencing hair loss in their 20s, it is not considered normal for hair loss to occur at such a young age. If you are experiencing hair loss at age 25, you must speak with a healthcare professional to determine the cause and discuss treatment options.
Receding Hairline
Look closely for widening of your part line in front and increased spacing between strands along the hairline. The frontal hairs may appear less dense. All these signs point to the early stages of androgenetic alopecia, also called male or female pattern baldness.
It's important to have realistic expectations when deciding to try a particular treatment for male pattern baldness. Although some treatments have good success rates, no treatment will completely reverse the process, and not all treatments will work for everyone.
Hereditary baldness can't be prevented. According to Dr. Calero, some people try hair transplant treatments, but they can be pricey and don't always work.
An “m shaped” hairline is a common feature in men's hair. Although it is sometimes indicative of a condition called male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), this is not only the case. For around half of all men, the m shaped hairline is a sign of a fully mature hairline.
This simple test measures the severity of hair loss. During a pull test, a dermatologist grasps small sections of hair, about 40 strands, from different parts of the scalp and gently tugs. If six or more strands fall out, you have what's known as active hair loss.
The short answer is that genes inherited from both sides of your family affect your chances of going bald. While we often hear that a man's chance of going bald is inherited from the maternal side, that's only partially true. The estimates vary, but about 60-70% of balding risk can be explained by someone's genetics1.
By the time you turn 30, you have a 25% chance of displaying some balding. By age 50, 50% of men have at least some noticeable hair loss. By age 60, about two-thirds are either bald or have a balding pattern. While hair loss is more common as you get older, it doesn't necessarily make it any easier to accept.
Position and shape of the hairline
There is quite a bit of variation in what is considered average, but 7-9 cm is typical. Hairlines that are relatively closer to the eyebrows are considered low. On the other hand, a high hairline sits higher on the forehead, making it appear large.
When Thrillist polled people, a majority said they wouldn't mind dating a bald guy. 76% either don't care about hair loss or prefer a bald man. Unsurprisingly, many of the people polled said that baldness isn't an excuse for poor grooming.
In fact, Stage 2 hair loss is often the most treatable stage because the damage is not yet irreversible. There is still an opportunity for regrowth, especially when a combination of treatments is used early on. While the term “cure” might not be appropriate, it is possible for hair to regrow in Stage 2.
MPB affects all men differently, starting at different ages and progressing at different rates. On average it takes 15-25 years for men to go completely bald. This process can begin at any age. About two thirds of men are either bald or have a balding pattern by the age of 60.
So try not to stress out about a few individual strands of lost hair on your hair tie. If you're concerned that you're shedding more hair than this, or you've noticed substantial hair loss when you wash or brush your hair, you're probably not paranoid. This may be the first sign of sustained hair loss.
Yet, testosterone is not the reason some men go bald and others don't. Plenty of bald guys have low testosterone levels, and plenty of guys with flowing locks have high testosterone levels. Male pattern baldness comes down to how sensitive your hair follicles are to the effects of hormones, which is genetic.
The good news is that if you've noticed thinning hair or balding and are in your 20s, treatments are available that can slow or stop the process.
Just like cigarettes, most vapes contain nicotine, and it may contribute to hair loss or thinning in these ways: Constricting blood vessels – Over time, nicotine intake can narrow blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the hair follicles. This means less oxygen and nutrients reach them, hindering healthy growth [8, 9].