Family Genetics, Measuring the Mature Hairline

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to write this blog. I have two questions. First, how much truth is there in the genetics for hair loss comes from your mother’s father? If not completely, what role do your father’s genetics play?

Secondly, not to be too literal in what you’ve stated regarding measuring the mature hairline, but when you say it should rise about 1.5 to 2 times higher, does that mean from a center point used in measuring the midpoint of the hairline? I’ve included pics (feel free to publish), including one where I’m holding a ruler to show how I’ve been measuring my corners. My hairline is about 5/8″ from the midpoint and about 1 1/8″. What is that, about a Norwood 2?

Thank you for all the work you do.

Thanks for allowing us to post your photos. Click them to enlarge.

Hair loss genes may be passed on from mother, father, or both. I realize many people believe it follows more from the mother’s side, but that is not an absolute fact. I’d say if anything, it favors the maternal side only 52% of the time, compared to the paternal side in 48% of cases. Statistically it is insignificant.

Your frontal pattern shows early erosion and a movement in the direction of a mature hairline, as the leading edge is thinning and the corners are a good one inch from the frontalis muscle in the corners. I would assume that you are under 29 years old. Everyone’s hairline is different and there is no absolute math or measurement to say precisely where your hairline should be, but for a mature hairline the picture here shows its location well.

And yeah, Norwood class 2 sounds about right. Unless you’re seeing loss on other areas of the scalp, I wouldn’t be concerned about your hair loss at this point.