PH
A 26-year-old male asked:
Greetings,besides heredity.. what are other factors that causes baldness? is it true that regular usage of shampoo and hair gel causes this? thanks
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ed Friedlanderanswered
Pathology 45 years experience
It's your genes, man: I'm really sorry that anybody told you that keeping your hair clean or using stuff to give it shape is going to make you bald. Male pattern baldness is genetically programmed and generally runs with how much chest hair you're naturally blessed with. You can slow it down with medications, or embrace it, shave your head, and get really physically fit -- nothing a man can do looks better.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Ed Friedlander commented
Pathology 45 years experience
Provided original answer
As above, I trust that you are asking about classic male pattern baldness rather than hypothyroidism, alopecia areata, or telogen effluvium.
Jul 9, 2015
Dr. Richard Robertsanswered
Pediatrics 47 years experience
It's heredity--the : gene causing male pattern baldness is on the X-chromosome. That means your father had nothing to do with it because there are very few genes on the Y chromosome. It doesn't matter if your father had a full head of hair. What matters is if your mother has a brother with a full head of hair and your mother's father also. The culprit is dihydrotestosterone, made from testosterone by skin receptors.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Marcie Berman commented
Clinical Psychology 40 years experience
Periods of severe stress can also lead to hair loss but this is typically temporary and resolves when the stress is dealt with.
Jul 9, 2015
Last updated May 14, 2016
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