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Does growing your hair promote baldness in later years? Also how do you know if your gonna go bald. I heared somewhere to look at your mother's father. I hope this is the case. He has a fine head of hair still and he's like almost 70. Why am I worrying about this, I'm 19 for freak's sake.
I have never seen my mother's father, but my mother's brother is bald.
You are concerned because we, as men, are cursed with the prospect of male pattern baldness. Even if we never experience it, it is constant concern. I share your concern even though I have not experienced it yet at 30.
Neither growing nor cutting will have any effect on male pattern baldness later in life. It is a genetic trait passed from both your mother and your father. The myth that you get your baldness from your mother's father is not true.
Male pattern baldness is caused by the interaction of the Testosterone derivative DHT, and susceptible hair follicles. 5-alpha reductase is an enzyme in the body that converts Testosterone to DHT.
The DHT then "attacks" hair follicles on the top and crown of the head.
The hair on the sides and back of the head are not susceptible to this "attack". This results in the classic horeshoe shape of male pattern baldness. There is a drug now available called Propecia that prevents the conversion of Testosterone to DHT, thus preventing the damage before it occurs. It has been shown to be very effective in preventing hair loss. However, it has not been as effective at restoring hair that is already gone. So, if you think you are getting a little thin, see your doctor and get a prescription, pronto!
In speaking of my own "experience".
I am 50 + years "young".
I have two older brothers that have receeding hair lines and baldness.
I have a full head of mid-length hair, and I am now letting my hair grow until it stops of its own genetic coding.
My father (deceased) had a full head of hair until the day he passed away.
My father's father - was deceased prior to my birth, he died when he was only "38", and the pictures that I have seen of him, he also had a full head of hair.
My mother's father was bald when he passed away.
Two for two.
My two older brothers are loosing their hair.
Myself and my younger sister have long hair.
So, that's the way my family is.. how about yours.?
I hope this has given insight into the middle age years.