Hello,

I have a lot of physical traits from my father’s side of the family, including body and facial hair, and I have the same color and texture of head hair as my father. I have few traits from my mother’s side. My hair is just beginning to thin at 25, and I am hoping I take after my father’s side in hair loss as well, since my mother’s side has a strong history of baldness. I don’t suppose there is much actual data on the subject, but subjectively, do you think I am more likely to avoid baldness since I take after my father in nearly all other respects? I would like to get miniaturization mapping done but I doubt I could afford it yet, so any input would be greatly appreciated!

Male pattern hair loss is genetic, but it does not necessarily follow a predictable Mendelian genetic pattern of either the father or mother’s side. There is no definite way to predict your hair loss pattern, but one way is to measure the miniaturization state of your scalp hair with a good hair densitometer at predefined areas on your scalp. Then you can periodically measure the miniaturization state and compare it with your baseline picture to see if there is a trend. A miniaturization study is free (at least at NHI).

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