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Like many other attributes of the human body, hair follicles are genetically programmed.   Androgenetic Alopecia known more commonly as hereditary hair loss or male pattern baldness/female pattern baldness is therefore also caused by our genes - and is the most common form of hair loss.

This is how hereditary hair loss works:

The hormone dihydrotestosterone abbreviated as DHT is created when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase which is found in the skin and scalp combines with the hormone testerosterone. 

Hair loss occurs when DHT binds to the receptor sites on the scalp and hair follicles.  The hairs that are genetically predisposed to DHT are affected by receiving signals that interrupt the normal hair growth cycle.

Please understand that DHT is not the cause of hair loss.  If it were, just about everybody would be bald.  Instead DHT is the hormone responsible for the loss of hairs genetically programmed to be influenced by it.

So if hereditary hair loss is genetically programmed, is there hope?

There is currently no cure for hair loss however, medications such as Propecia which contains the active ingredient finasteride and Rogaine which contains the active ingredient minoxodil may help prevent further loss for those suffering from hereditary hair loss.  There is a possibility (though slimmer) that these medications may help regrow hair. 

Some hair loss sufferers may be candidates for hair transplantation surgery.  Consulting with a qualified and ethical hair transplant physician is necessary to determine whether or not you are a candidate. 

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

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