Myths about Hereditary Hair Loss and Balding

FALSE. Hereditary hair loss can be passed on by either parent, although it’s true, the strongest influence is on the maternal side. The gene or genes responsible for this have not yet been identified and the pattern of inheritance is complex.

TRUE. REGAINE^® contains minoxidil, which originally showed signs of its ability to re-grow hair when studied for other indications in the 1980’s. To this day minoxidil is the only clinically proven Over-The-Counter treatment for hair loss.

FALSE. Frequent shampooing has no effect, positive or negative, on hereditary hair loss. But it is important to take good care of the hair you have.

FALSE. Many hair treatments, such as bleaching and colouring, can be hard on your hair. If the treatments are too strong, they may cause the hair to break off near the scalp, but no treatments will cause hereditary hair loss.

FALSE. But it can dry, burn and damage hairs that may then fall out. If you're suffering from hereditary hair loss, the new hairs that grow are often thinner and less visible than the ones they are replacing.

TRUE. This is true for people who don't have male pattern baldness, and the hairs that fall out will soon be replaced by new ones. If you're suffering from hereditary hair loss, those hairs often come from follicles that are shrinking and the new hairs emerging from these follicles will be thinner. Eventually the follicles shut down and no longer produce any hairs at all.

FALSE. There is currently no drug on the market that will alter the quantity of hair follicles on your head. The number of hair follicles you have is completely out of your control – it's hereditary.

FALSE Hair grows at an average rate of half an inch per month. Each hair shaft is slightly thicker at its base compared to its tip, so hair can appear thicker for about a week after it’s been cut. However, cutting hair has absolutely no effect on each hair's thickness or the number of hairs that will sprout from the follicles.

FALSE. The belief that baldness makes you more virile than a man with a full head of hair is, unfortunately, for those looking for a consolation, without scientific foundation.