Will I Go Bald If My Dad Is Bald?

As a teen, I often spent time styling my precious locks in the mirror. But for how long? Both my grandfathers wore wigs, and so did my dad. I then asked myself, will I go bald if the men in my family are bald? When will I start losing hair?

I know many men dread this question, too, and are looking for answers. Let's learn the facts on baldness together to understand how to respond to this dilemma. Is it really a genetic destiny, or is there more to the story?

Let's untangle the science behind baldness and uncover whether our dad's baldness seals our fate or if our genes have a few surprises in store.

The Genetics of Baldness: What Science Says

Does Baldness Come from Mom or Dad?

tl;dr: Baldness can come from both your mom and your dad. While the often-blamed "baldness gene" (AR gene) is on the X chromosome you get from your mom, scientists have found dozens of other genes linked to hair loss that come from both parents. So yes, your maternal grandfather's bald head might be a clue, but so is your dad's. Baldness is polygenic, which means multiple genes are involved. Bottom line: it's not just your mom's fault. Both sides of the family play a role.

Male pattern baldness is dependent on genetics. On the other hand, female pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss involves different factors, and a different scale (Ludwig scale) is used to measure baldness.

You've probably heard the saying, "If your mom's dad is bald, you'll go bald too." or "If your dad is bald, you'll go bald as well." While there's some truth to this, it's not the whole story.

You can inherit the baldness gene from both the mother and father's side of the family, although there's a higher chance of getting it from the mother's side. This means your dad or paternal grandfather's baldness can give you a clue about your future hair loss, but it's not the sole reason why you may also go bald.

The AR gene, or androgen receptor, plays a key role in male pattern baldness and is found on the X chromosome. Since men inherit their X chromosome from their mothers, this is why people often think baldness comes from your mom's side of the family (mother's father or maternal grandfather). If your maternal grandfather was bald, there's a chance you've inherited a version of the AR gene that makes you more likely to lose hair.

But here's the catch: baldness isn't just about the AR gene or your mom's side. Scientists have discovered dozens of other genes linked to baldness, many of which are found on autosomes—the non-sex chromosomes. Humans have 22 pairs of autosomes, and you inherit one copy of each pair from both your mom and dad. This means any baldness gene on these autosomes could come from either parent.

So, even if you didn't inherit a "baldness variant" on the AR gene from your mom, you could still go bald if you've inherited other baldness genes from your dad—or even your mom. Studies have shown that male pattern baldness is polygenic, meaning it's influenced by multiple genes working together.

A study shows that there are a total of 63 different genes associated with baldness. Another survey by XYON Health found that 81.5% of sons with hair loss had fathers who were also bald. Lastly, identical twin studies suggest that between 79 and 81 percent of baldness is determined by genetics.

The takeaway? All these genes play a role. While your mom's genes might play a significant role in determining whether you'll lose your hair, your dad's genes matter, too. Baldness can come from either side of the family tree, making it more complex than blaming one parent! Understanding this complexity can help alleviate some of the anxiety associated with the uncertainty of hair loss.

How Likely Are You to Experience Hereditary Baldness?

In rare cases, baldness can skip generations. However, if you have bald relatives on both sides of the family, like me, then hair loss is more likely to happen. But if baldness only shows up on one side, there's a chance the baldness gene will skip not only you but your generation.

Other Factors That Influence Hair Loss

Hair genetics isn't the only culprit of baldness. Others are tied to lifestyle, health, and even stress. Here are other reasons causing your hair loss. By understanding and addressing these factors, you can take control of your hair health and potentially delay or prevent hair loss.

Hormonal changes

In men, DHT or dihydrotestosterone plays a major role in hair loss. If you have too much DHT production, male pattern baldness shows up. The good news is that during the early stages of MPB, you can delay the progression of your receding hairline.

Environmental Factors

Pollution and sun exposure can cause scalp damage and weaken hair. Living in a polluted environment, you'll have more free radicals in your body, contributing to baldness.

Stress

It's common to be stressed out nowadays. Turn on your phone, and you get stressed when you see a no signal or internet connection icon. Intense emotional stress like losing a loved one or going through a divorce may cause our hair follicle cells to enter into a resting phase or telogen, leading to temporary hair loss called telogen effluvium. The good news? Hair often grows back when stress is under control.

Nutrition Deficiencies

You may not know it, but what you eat impacts your hair health. If you're not getting the right amounts of key hair nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin D, and biotin, your hair follicles may weaken and slow hair growth.

If your hair loss is due to a medical condition, consult a professional for the proper diagnosis and treatment.

What Can You Do About Genetic Hair Loss

If you're experiencing hair thinning, don't worry; it's not the end of the world. It's just hair. If addressed early, there's a bigger chance of delaying the progression of male pattern baldness.

Here are ways to combat baldness that are proven and effective. Consult a hair specialist to know which solution is best for you.

Medications: The Science-Backed Approach

The big guns in the battle against baldness are FDA-approved medications like Minoxidil and Finasteride. Some take these two medications together and experience better results.

Minoxidil is an over-the-counter hair loss medication available in topical or oral forms. Finasteride is a prescription pill that's known as DHT kryptonite. It blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which gives your hair follicles a fighting chance against the progression of male pattern baldness. When taking one or both of these medications, be wary of Minoxidil's side effects and Finasteride's side effects.

Hair Transplant: The Surgical Solution

If medications aren't cutting it or you're scared about the side effects like me, a hair transplant is a permanent solution to restore the strands lost due to male pattern hair loss.

Hair follicles are transferred from the back of your head to thinning areas. It's a surgical procedure with risks and a hefty price tag.

Healthy Diet: Hair Vitamins

Eating the wrong food impacts your hair. While a healthy diet won't magically grow back lost hair, it can keep existing hair follicles strong and healthy. Here's what you need to add to your diet:

• Protein: Our hair is mainly made up of protein, so make sure you're getting enough from meats, fish, eggs, and legumes.

• Biotin: Biotin is like a multivitamin for hair. Load up on biotin from eggs, nuts, and sweet potatoes.

• Iron: Low levels of iron can lead to hair loss. Increase iron levels in your body from lean red meat, spinach, and lentils.

• Omega 3: These healthy fats help reduce inflammation and promote a healthy scalp. Good Omega 3 sources are chia seeds, salmon, and walnuts.

Read our article on Healthy Scalp Vitamins to learn more about what foods to add to your diet.

Lifestyle Change: Treat Hair with TLC

A healthy diet is not enough to address hair loss. A lifestyle change that includes stress management, exercise, quitting smoking and alcohol, and avoiding tight hairstyles and harsh chemicals can help our overall hair situation.

Shave it All Off: Embrace Baldness with Confidence

Let's discuss the best solution to genetic hair loss: Shaving it all off!

It might seem drastic for some, but for those who have taken the plunge, most, if not all, wish they'd done it sooner.

Going bald by choice means no more stressing about what stage you are on the Norwood scale or why your expensive hair growth product isn't working. It's low maintenance, saves you time and money on barber visits, girls love baldies, and, best of all, can make you look younger!

Isn't it great when you're not worried about who's bald on either side of the family and whether you will go bald, too? No more fear of baldness and less stress in your life.

If you're not ready for a full chrome dome, try a buzz cut first, then transition gradually to head shaving.

If head shaving suits you, check out our Beginner's Guide for Baldies so you can easily navigate your journey with expert advice.

The FlexSeries Pro is the latest offering from Freebird and is one of the best rotary shavers in the market today.

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The Bottom Line

Having a bald father increases your chance of inheriting MPB, but it's not guaranteed. Genetics are complex, and contributions from both sides of your family are involved.

So, if your dad is bald, there's no longer a need to fear the future. By understanding genetic factors and taking proactive steps, you can manage the onset of hair loss.

One final tip: buy a reliable head shaver as your first investment in the shaving game.

FAQs

When Do Men Start Balding?

Male pattern baldness affects most men at some stage of their life. Baldness can manifest early, sometimes even in a person's twenties. Male pattern baldness usually starts occurring between the ages of 20 to 30.

The American Hair Loss Association reports that male pattern baldness makes up more than 95% of hair loss in men, and by the age of 70, around 80% of men experience significant balding.

Once your hairline starts receding at the crown, it's the first sign that you have it. You can refer to the Norwood Scale to know how much hair you've lost and what stage you're at.

Will I Go Bald if My Dad Isn't?

You can still go bald even if your dad has a full head of hair. Here's why: the genes that cause hair loss can come from both your mom's and your dad's sides of the family. You might inherit hair loss genes from your mom's, your dad's, or even a mix of both. Plus, other factors like stress, hormones, and health can play a part too. So, your dad's hair isn't a guarantee for your own

Will I Go Bald if My Mom's Dad is Bald?

If your mom's dad is bald, your chances of going bald go up, especially if you're a guy. That's because the AR gene - one of the big players in hair loss - is on the X chromosome, which you get from your mom. But don't forget, baldness isn't just about one gene or one side of the family. You could also get hair loss genes from your dad's side, and the combination matters.

Can I Stop Genetic Hair Loss?

You can't completely stop genetic hair loss, but you can slow it down and sometimes regrow some hair. Medications like minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia) can help keep your hair around longer if you start early. Eating a healthy diet, managing stress, and avoiding harsh hair treatments can also make a difference.