Does baldness depend on genetics?

Is baldness genetic?

Traditionally, it was easy to emphasize that there was a genetic factor in baldness: just look at parents, children, and grandparents. If an adult has alopecia problems, it's highly likely that their offspring will. Let's also remember that approximately 50% of adult men and 10% of women suffer from it.

Therefore, the Genetic baldness does exist . And specifically, it can occur through a single gene or several genes. predictive genetics In these cases, it can provide at least partial solutions to understand certain probability scenarios. Ultimately, with this information, it's much easier to know how to react in these situations.

Currently, there are two types of baldness, each of which is primarily genetic. Let's look at some examples:

Androgenic genetic baldness

He AR gene It is inherited through the mother (X chromosome). Its role is important, since it produces dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is more potent than in other cases. What happens when there is an excess of testosterone? It weakens the hair and, therefore, facilitates its premature loss. This gives rise to the so-called androgenic alopecia , which affects men and women equally. We would be talking, here, about a monogenetic circumstance .

We must say that this is the best-proven genetic cause of baldness. And there is definitely a cause-effect relationship when DHT is generated, because it enhances the strength of testosterone under normal conditions. Therefore, checking whether the AR gene is present or not is very important.

Multigenetic baldness

The multigenetic baldness It's more difficult to verify, since it depends on several factors. It can also be inherited from the father. In this case, we can say that it has a greater influence on men. Not surprisingly, any genetic variation that involves the generation of higher testosterone levels would cause hair loss. For this reason, it's important to keep in mind that this possibility exists.

It should be noted, however, that numerous factors are currently being studied. Therefore, it's important to keep in mind that more relationships are likely to be discovered in the coming years.

Questions and answers about genetic baldness

When we talk about genetic baldness, it's important to be clear about some concepts. And, above all, to dispel myths and resolve common doubts. Here are some more details:

Are there ways to prevent genetic baldness?

Genetic baldness is You can delay , but not prevent, the effects of baldness. How? By taking care of your diet, keeping your hair clean, and using certain medical treatments. All of these factors will contribute to the effects of baldness taking longer to appear.

Is baldness reversible?

Although the baldness is reversible , it just is partially and through certain treatments, which are sometimes invasive. Here are some examples:

• Pharmacological treatments: There are some medications that could stop hair loss and, in some cases, even reverse it. finasteride and minoxidil These are the most commonly used, although follow-up is recommended. The effects can vary, but it's true that they are commonly used in these situations.
• Hair implants: Hair implants are, in practice, the extraction of hair follicles from other areas and their transplantation. It is a more invasive and expensive technique, performed when an area has already lost hair. It is generally more effective, but due to its complexity, it should only be performed by specialists.
• Topical treatments: Sometimes, creams or liquids can be applied with certain products to stimulate hair growth. However, this approach is often of limited effectiveness.
• Laser: Laser therapy can be used to stimulate hair follicles and thus restore hair growth. In recent years, it has been proven effective for certain types of people.

Now, except in the case of hair implants, it's very important to note that these techniques work differently for each person. Therefore, guaranteeing hair recovery is, to say the least, risky.

Are there other non-genetic factors?

The non-genetic factors as well influence hair loss, so they should be taken into account. Although genetics plays a decisive role, not washing your hair often enough, using shampoos with certain chemicals, exposure to air pollution, or simply stress are all factors that influence it. Therefore, it would be wise not to rule out these other factors that explain the increase in baldness in the younger generations.

Is there an age when baldness appears?

There is no single pattern of baldness, although, obviously, genetics can influence its early onset. As a general rule, 20 years You may already notice signs of incipient baldness, which accelerates over the years. However, you should know that, in some cases, this baldness doesn't appear until the age of 40. We can say that, if it's due to genetic factors, it's more likely to appear earlier.

Also, remember that hair loss isn't always directly related to genetics. This means that the symptoms of alopecia can manifest at different times than we're used to. Therefore, we shouldn't prejudge this issue.

Does epigenetics influence baldness?

Let us remember that the studies of epigenetics They suggest that certain DNA components can vary throughout life without affecting genes. Exposure to external agents has an influence, and this, too, would be transferred to the hair. Precisely for this reason, some shampoos have appeared that claim to provide a solution to this problem as a treatment. The only nuance that should be noted here is that there is still a great deal of ignorance in this area.

In summary…

Genetic baldness is a phenomenon that exists, and it's important to know whether we're more or less prone to it. This will ultimately allow us to make the decisions we consider appropriate. Genotics You'll find numerous genetic tests, including those to determine whether you're more or less predisposed to alopecia. Get to know us better!