Will Family Members Bald (Experience Hair Loss) in Similar Patterns?

This question comes from a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums:

There is a history of hair loss in my family, and after reviewing the balding patterns of my blood relatives (especially my father) I’m wondering if I will lose hair in a similar fashion and end up with the same bald pattern? Do family members experiencing hair loss bald in similar patterns?

As much as we would like to fully grasp the genetic nature of hair loss, it’s still a very difficult phenomenon to understand, anticipate, and treat.

Although believing some of the well known hair loss rumors (if your mother’s father has his hair, you won’t lose yours; if your father is bald you will experience hair loss) is tempting, the truth of the matter is that genetic hair loss is unpredictable and these popular hair loss myths are rarely true. In my opinion, family members balding in a similar pattern falls into this category.

If you have genetic hair loss somewhere in you family tree, you’re susceptible and may experience balding at some point in your life (even if your father or other close blood relatives have not). Additionally, although it’s possible that the physical appearance of your hair loss may look similar to other family member’s baldness patterns, there is no guarantee that it has to.

You may find that both you and your father have some genetic aspect (genotype) of hair loss, but he’s a Norwood VII and your hair loss only progressed to a Norwood III or IV (phenotype). There are a variety of reasons why this can occur (maybe you started preventive treatment sooner, slightly different genetic makeup, different diet/lifestyle stressors), but I think the important point is simply understanding the following: if you have genetic hair loss in your family tree, you are susceptible to balding. However, because hair loss is unpredictable and progressive, there is no guarantee that your particular pattern will resemble the balding pattern of other close relatives.

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Blake Bloxham – formerly “Future_HT_Doc”

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