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Hello. I'm almost 16 years old, and my hair is touching my shoulders. I'm growing it about 3 to 4 more inches, down to the point where it's laying on my collar-bone.
I worry about a lot of things. One thing I worry about is hair loss. I take after my Dad and his Father, who both have a full head of hair (my Dad's Father has a full head of grey, white hair)...but I worry about losing my hair to a receeding hairline. Is there anything you can do to stop your hairline from receeding if it starts?
Also, I worry about having hair loss due to cancer. It runs in the family on my Mom's side, but not so much on my Dad's side. I take after my Mom's side of the family as far as my personality goes, but I take after my Dad's side a little more as far as physical traits go. Is there something you can do to prevent cancer, or prevent hair loss if you do end up dealing with it later on in life?
Another question, is there anything you can do to speed up hair growth a little bit? Any suggestions on how to take care of your hair would be great too.
Thank you, and God bless.
Jake
MPB (Male Pattern Baldness) is heredetary. If both your Father and Grandfather have a full head of hair, then you've nothing to worry about.
My understanding is that hair loss in cancer patients is a direct result of the chemotherapy they endure to rid themselves of the disease. If you develop cancer, you can avoid hair loss by choosing not to have the treatment done.
Growth rate is genetic, and averages 1/2" per month. It is not possible to increase this average. Anyone who tells you differently is trying to sell you something.
Good luck, and welcome to the board.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was genetically linked to one's maternal grandfather.
Okay, so the gene for baldness is sex-linked: women need two 'yes' votes, men only one. A "key" to deciphering things out is checking whether the maternal grandfather is bald or not. I would also think that baldness is not entirely Mendelian, because there is varying degrees/kinds of baldness.
Mixing cancer into the equation too? I don't know. Still, predispositions to cancer are not necessarily genetic. And well, you can't change your genetic makeup, anyway.
If you could think of a slightly different name, or attach your last initial or something, that would be great.
Hairloss can skip many generations and can be inherited from the male, or female side ~ EQUALLY. The gene can come from either side and may manifest itself in the form of baldness (MPB) in a man that is susceptible to the damaging effects of androgenic hormones. I really wouldn't worry about it.
Cancer is an entirly different subject and hairloss pales in comparison. If you suspect that you are loosing your hair, please consider Propecia. I should state that your hair looks fine to me, furthermore, keep in mind that stress is a significant factor in hairloss, therefore, try not to worry so much and enjoy your hair.
Jeffrey.
I'm not a doctor nor do I play one on TV but my understanding
is you can't. Even if you're careful what you eat/smoke/etc.
you're still susceptable to cancer.
My understanding is absolutely nothing will speed up hair growth.
exept to eat a well balanced diet and make sure you get
enough vitamins.
MPB is hereditary, but doesn't seem to be as predictable as other traits. I know a guy who's father was bald and he has one bald brother and another with receding hair, but he has no hair loss atall, and he is the eldest.
As for chemo, there is a way to prevent hair loss, which involves wearing a special (read: expensive) cooling helmet while chemo is administered. Why wearing a an ice pack, i.e. a bag of frozen peas, on your head wouldn't work I don't know. Maybe it does!!
Hair lost in chemo does grow back, but if you have truly long hair and advanced cancer (or you are just really old) you may not live long enough for it to grow back at half an inch per month.