MALE PATTERN BALDNESS
What determines baldness are your genes, and hair loss happens in a predictable pattern commonly known as male pattern baldness (MPB) or female pattern baldness (FPB). Living with male pattern baldness can be stressful and embarrassing. Previous studies have shown baldness to have a complex genetic architecture, with particularly strong signals on the X chromosome. Men inherit their “X” chromosome from their mother and “Y” from their father. Baldness is strongly associated with the AR gene found on the “X” chromosome. Men can often expect to see MPB begin occurring as an m-shaped receding hairline. Usually starting around the age of 20 to 30, it will appear first at the front of the scalp. Many young men are surprised to find they are in the early stages of MPB. 20-25 year olds tend not to believe they are old enough to experience this but the microscopic camera doesn’t lie. The pattern is distinct and pretty much undeniable. Younger men have a few less options to deal with male pattern baldness. Most men have a genetically protected area of hair ( commonly referred to as the horseshoe ) that can be used as donor hair for transplants if that is the chosen path to deal with the issue. Younger men don’t really have this option because their hair loss will continue with age and will require more transplants as time goes on. Prescription drugs can prolong the issue but some have undesirable side effects as pointed out by the Mayo clinic. While male pattern baldness isn’t entirely understood, one aspect is becoming more apparent. Male pattern baldness is polygenic – involving one or more genes. Another study showed that more than 80% of people with fathers who had lost hair also began experiencing noticeable balding. Hair traits such as texture, color, and thickness are determined by genes inherited from both parents. Each person has two copies of each gene, one inherited from the mother and one from the father. The combination of these genes determines the hair traits that a person will have. The simple fact of the matter is that hair loss and hair genetics are rather complex, which means that there is no concrete answer about hair and hair genes. However, your family history is a good indicator of what you could come to expect in your future. If you are experiencing male pattern baldness and would like to treat it don’t wait too long. There are treatments to restart growth if caught early enough. If too much time passes the follicle will literally close and seal in any hope of recovery permanently. In most cases a transplant will override this state as long as there is enough “donor” hair to harvest the required grafts from. If you feel you may be at the onset of male pattern baldness you should book a consultation with a specialist to confirm and see what your options are. Although many efforts have been made and are ongoing to nail down a definitive genetic cause there has been little progress in circumventing the genetic workings.