Does baldness gene come from mother or father?
Everyone knows genetics plays a crucial role in determining whether an individual will experience hair loss. Perhaps you've even heard your hair loss comes primarily from the mother's side, however the truth is that the genes for hair loss are passed down from both sides of the family.
However, there are a lot of myths and misinformation about the genetic causes of male pattern baldness (MPB), so let's dive deeper into the question: Does baldness gene come from mother or father?
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Is Balding Genetic? Yes...and...
The short answer to ‘is alopecia hereditary?’ or ‘is balding genetic?’, is Yes.
Scientific research shows genetics plays a fundamental role in the development of male baldness. Researchers have identified that a particular gene on the X chromosome, known as the androgen receptor (AR) gene, is closely associated with male baldness. This single gene is sensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent form of testosterone, and its activity is central to hair follicle health and growth.
There are various forms of alopecia, with the most common being androgenetic alopecia which is characterized by a predictable pattern of hair loss, typically starting with a receding hairline and thinning at the crown. This condition is primarily influenced by genetics, making it a hereditary trait.
Does baldness come from your mother?
When it comes to inheriting the predisposition for male pattern baldness, both parents contribute to our genetic makeup.
While it was once thought that this trait was solely inherited from the mother's father, recent studies have shed light on the fact that genetic factors from both parents significantly influence the likelihood of experiencing baldness.
This hereditary trait is believed to be passed down through a combination of genes inherited from both sides of your family. Baldness is inherited through a recessive gene.
The key player in this inheritance is the androgen receptor gene, located on the X chromosome. The X chromosome carries the AR gene responsible for male baldness. Since men inherit this X chromosome from their mothers and one Y chromosome from their dad's side, they receive the baldness gene from their maternal lineage.
A study from the University of Bonn in Germany from 2005 confirmed this, and added fuel to the mother myth. And it is true: this hereditary factor is more dominant from their maternal lineage. Additionally, the baldness gene may skip generations, and skip people within the same generation. If your dad has a full head of hair but your mom’s brother is a 5 on the Norwood Scale at age 35, the chance is high that you will follow your uncle’s journey through male pattern baldness.
The genetic result means that there are millions of families where the older brother gets the George Clooney hair while the younger brother is stuck with the Vin Diesel look, or vice versa.
Furthermore, if you take four brothers it is absolutely possible to have a Norwood 3, 5 and 7 and a fourth brother with no male pattern baldness at all within that same family. Thus, if most of the men on your mom’s side and your father’s side are bald, then you, your sons and brothers all increases risk to experience male pattern baldness. The probability of male pattern hair loss is dependent on family history and age.
How Do Health & Lifestyle Factors Affect Baldness Genetics?
While genetics undeniably lay the foundation for male pattern baldness, it is essential to acknowledge the role of environmental factors. Elements such as hormonal fluctuations, nutritional habits, stress levels, and lifestyle choices can exert a significant influence on the onset and progression of baldness.
Additionally, medical conditions, medications, and overall health can impact the expression of baldness genes. Therefore, genetic predisposition is just one facet of the multifaceted picture that determines an individual's susceptibility to male pattern baldness.
- Stress: While stress itself doesn’t directly cause MPB, it can accelerate hair loss by triggering conditions such as telogen effluvium, where hair enters a resting phase and falls out prematurely.
- Poor Diet: Nutritional deficiencies, particularly in proteins, iron, zinc, and vitamins (like Vitamin D and B vitamins), can exacerbate hair thinning and baldness.
- Smoking: Studies show a link between smoking and increased hair loss. The toxins in cigarettes may damage hair follicles and affect circulation to the scalp, increasing hair loss risk.
- Steroid Use: The use of anabolic steroids, which increase testosterone levels, can elevate DHT levels and accelerate MPB in men predisposed to baldness.
Is there a difference in female pattern baldness and male pattern baldness genes?
Androgenetic alopecia is also known as male-pattern baldness, or female pattern baldness. This type of hair loss is strongly influenced by genetic predisposition. Thus, individuals with a family history of androgenetic alopecia are more likely to experience this type of hair loss themselves.
If close male relatives (father, grandfather) have experienced hair loss, the likelihood of developing Male Pattern Baldness is higher. Studies have identified that the genetic predisposition to Male Pattern Baldness is inherited from both parents, though the influence of genes from the maternal side is particularly significant due to the role of the X chromosome.
In women, androgen sensitivity also plays a role, but it is less pronounced than in men. FPB is less driven by DHT, and hormonal fluctuations (e.g., during menopause) play a bigger role. Women with FPB often have normal androgen levels, whereas men with MPB tend to have higher DHT activity.
What Can You Do If You Are Experiencing Genetic Hair Loss?
Genetics are tricky, and sometimes, the results can seem unfair to us. Luckily, you don’t have to sit by and watch your hair thin away to nothing. You can start by getting more information from your dermatologist about the many FDA-approved medical advances in hair treatments that help you keep the hair you have.
And don't worry... even if you think your hair loss is too severe, chances are you may be a candidate for a hair transplant. If you’re ready to get your hair back, RESTORE hair offers a location near you to help you invest in yourself. Click to get a quote today!
References
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. James Harris.
- Cranwell W, et al. (2016). Male androgenetic alopecia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278957/
- Hagenaars SP, et al. (2017). Genetic prediction of male pattern baldness. DOI: https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1006594
- Heilmann-Heimbach S, et al. (2017). Meta-analysis identifies novel risk loci and yields systematic insights into the biology of male-pattern baldness. DOI: https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms14694
- Hereditary-patterned baldness. (2019). https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/hereditary-patterned-baldness-a-to-z
- South Med J. (2000). Male pattern baldness. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10923949/