Is Baldness Hereditary

One may not be aware but human beings lose a specific amount of hair everyday throughout their life. It is known that the hair start thinning and get sparse by the time a person reaches 50-60 years of age. However, a receding hairline in early or middle years is one sure cause of worry for everyone. When one experiences early hair loss, one surely wonders, 'is baldness hereditary'? Let us take a look at it in detail.

Is Baldness Hereditary
The answer to the above query is definitely positive. Yes, baldness is hereditary. However, one should know that only the male pattern baldness is hereditary. Here we will see more on the male pattern baldness. In males, baldness of hair is usually in M shape, as it begins at the temple and recedes back towards the middle of the head. After a few years, in more advanced stage, it is observed that only hair in the side and back of the head remain. Genetics and hormones are the significant and most common causes of baldness in people. A specific genetic composition gives rise to early baldness in people. In earlier times (even today in some parts of the world), it is believed that the genes for baldness are inherited only from the mother's side. i.e., if a person's maternal grandfather is bald, the person is sure to go bald at an early age. This theory is incorrect. Studies and researches have proved that genes of early baldness can be inherited from both, one's father as well as mother.

In case of women, hereditary baldness is hardly observed. It is also true that complete baldness is unusual in women, even in old age. On the other hand, the pattern of balding in women is not specific. Female hair loss is widespread and proportioned and hence, we hardly find a woman who is completely bald. In order to diagnose whether the baldness caused is hereditary or not, the doctor will require the history of the person and necessary information on early baldness instances in other family members. Apart from heredity, there are several other potential causes of baldness in men and women. Let us take a look at it in detail.

Other Causes of Baldness
Alopecia areata is one of the major causes if baldness in both, men and women. It is a skin disease where bald patches appear on the head, usually on the top of the head. However, in this disease, it is possible for hair to regrow if proper medications are taken. On the other hand, hormonal imbalance, stress, use of certain hair lotions and cosmetics, frequent hair styling, etc. also lead to premature hair loss. Certain illnesses, skin diseases like ringworm, etc. can also cause abnormal hair loss in people. One should remember that improper diet and nutritional deficiency also contributes in causing hair loss and complete baldness over time.

One should note that baldness caused due to all of the aforementioned factors can be treated or even prevented. But there is no treatment or prevention for baldness caused due to hereditary factors. One may come across several products in the market that claim to cure baldness and help in regrowth of hair. However, most of these products do not succeed in their claims. Hair transplant is one of the best hair loss solutions which helps in regrowing hair and is expensive, yet effective.