Genetics & Hair Loss
Genetic causes of Hair Loss
The genetics of hair loss have been one of the most interesting and focused parts of hair loss. 40% of men are genetically susceptible to male pattern baldness, and numerous genes have been shown to have a role in hair loss, although no definite localized gene has been found. Despite decades of directed genetic research and the completion of the human genome, there is no absolute genetic answer to hair loss. Recently scientists and universities have made headlines with a new possible hair loss gene being located, but no single gene exists. With many different genes being involved in hair loss,……
Why do some men experience hair loss, while others don’t despite similar levels of DHT? That is the question scientists are trying to understand. There are now commercially available at home genetic hair loss tests that will identify if you are genetically susceptible to hair loss. The genes that are thought to be responsible for hair loss seem to be SOX 21 etc… Japanese researchers recently have discovered that the SOX 21 gene is mainly responsible for hair loss, and thus is of great interest in hair loss therapy and research.
The idea of being genetically predispositioned to hair loss is an interesting approach to the problem, and atleast one U.K. company is developing a micro injection therapy for hair loss. The basic idea of this therapy is that you send off samples of your hair to their hair processing center, where they will genetically break down your hair and sequence the DNA. Using advanced DNA techniques, the company will splice out and turn off “hair loss genes”. This new genetic material will then be replicated and you (the patient) will go to England, they will micro inject your scalp which in theory will be protected against DHT and therefore permanent new hair will be grown. The estimated cost of this procedure is $25,000 and a long time line of treatment.
