How Do Genes Play a Role in Hair and Hair Loss?
Vitamins aren’t the only factor in hair growth. Levels of testosterone derivative – dihydrotestosterone – found within follicle cells also play a role. Follicles have two kinds of protein molecules on their cell membranes. One group of proteins receives testosterone, while the other group repels it. In this way the follicle can balance the amount of hair growth direction that it receives from the body. How many of each type of protein receptors a person has seems to be genetically predetermined. Hence, Male Pattern Baldness is a trait passed from generation to generation. Men and women with more testosterone-receptive proteins have an overload of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in their hair producing cells – and are more likely to develop hormone-linked hair loss as they go through life. In men, these receptor cells seem to be located in certain areas of the scalp, yet are not found in others. This is why most men begin to get thinning hair first on the top of the scalp, then the front, the
