How can you inherit baldness, genetically and what’s the solution?

What causes baldness and how do we overcome it? Read on to know more.

Androgenic alopecia, commonly referred to as male pattern baldness, can affect both men and women. The genes responsible for this hereditary hair fall get transferred from either of the parents. The condition gets more pronounced with age. Generally, there is 30% chance of balding in men by the time they are 30 years old. Fifty per cent of men exhibit noticeable signs of balding by the time they are 50 years. Two-thirds of men all over the world are crippled with a balding pattern or are completely bald by the age of 60. However, age is not a factor if one is prone to genetic baldness. Hair fall can commence anytime post attaining puberty.

Cause of Hereditary Baldness

It occurs owing to DHT-sensitivity of hair roots and mainly affects the areas like the front, the crown and the mid-crown areas of the scalp. The male hormone Androgen accelerates this condition due to the catalytic activity of 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that leads to the formation of Di-Hydro Testosterone (DHT). Men usually face receding hairline from the front of the scalp while women suffer from thinning of the hair from the crown or from areas on top of the scalp.

The genetics of baldness: More complex than you might think

The Solution to Baldness

Androgenic alopecia has just one solution: hair transplant surgery. Globally, this practice has gained immense popularity. Our own city Kolkata has developed into a major hub for this form of treatment and is renowned for providing quality solutions at reasonable costs. With reputed clinics like PLCSC which is run by the globally-renowned Dr. Maneesh Sonthalia and his team of medical experts, the treatment offered in The City of Joy is not only world-class but very affordable too.

The hair transplant cost in Kolkata, on an average, is between Rs 50,000-95,000. The price per graft is between Rs 30-90 depending on the acuity of the hair fall. The total cost is obviously dependent on the reputation of the clinic and the fees of the plastic surgeon entrusted with the job.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) are the most common procedures for hair transplant. FUT is a precise process that can only be executed be highly trained professionals such as qualified plastic surgeons. FUE, on the other hand, is a crude and unpredictable process that is carried out even by beauty parlour personnel!

In addition to selecting a trustworthy clinic boasting of experienced plastic surgeons, it is also important to acknowledge the problem early and seek timely medical advice. Early treatment can go a long way in curbing further hair fall and also help you save on expenditure in case transplant surgery is required.