By Rebecca Jones

When it comes to predicting the future people have turned to everything from crystal balls to Ouija boards. When it comes to predicting male pattern baldness often times the methods we turn to are no more scientific than those tricks best reserved for carnivals and physic parlors. There are few things in this world that have generated more myths and superstitions than the fear of losing one’s hair. Let’s take a moment to look at some of the greatest balding myths ever propagated and see if we can’t get down to the root of the matter.

Your maternal grandfather’s hairline is destined to be your hairline.

While it’s true that genetics play a predominate role in determining the future of hair loss for both men and women, it cannot be blamed solely on the mother’s genes. Genetics account for about 95% of all male hair loss but it is a combination of both parent’s genes that will determine whether your hair stays or goes. Next time you want to predict whether someone will lose their hair you’ll have to check out the whole family album instead of just pictures of their grandfather.

Use of styling products can lead to hair loss

Good news for the cast of Jersey Shore, excessive use of hair gels, sprays and mousses will not cause baldness. That’s not to say that over styling can’t have a negative impact on the health of your hair. Heat damage from curling irons and blow dryers , or breakage from teasing or corn rows can cause temporary bald spots, know as traction alopecia, but this type of balding is rare and since the root of the hair follicle under the scalp is usually undamaged hair will eventually grow back.

Bald men have more testosterone than their full headed counterparts

Unfortunately guys this one is false too. Balding is caused by the hair follicles sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone in certain areas of the scalp. DHT is an androgen like testosterone and even starts out the same but about 5% of a man’s testosterone will combine with an enzyme to make the very potent DHT. This sensitivity to DHT causes the hair follicle to shrink until it finally disappears, hence no more hair growth.

Standing on your head can prevent hair loss

Many think that if they can get blood flowing to the scalp it will prevent hair loss. This is the origin of the brushing your hair more to prevent baldness myth as well. When you have less hair, less blood is needed so the flow will decrease but this is an effect of hair loss not a cause. Increasing blood flow will not turn the tide on hair loss.

Once my hair starts thinning there is nothing I can do about it

False. There have been great breakthroughs in hair loss treatments and perhaps one of the very most exciting is the drug Propecia.  Propecia can slow and even halt hair loss by reducing levels of DHT in the body. 1-3 men will even experience hair regrowth. This is the perfect treatment to start at the very first signs of hair loss.

Regardless of whose side of the family you may inherit your hair loss genes from, the good news is losing your hair is not inevitable. You may not be able to stop the clock by standing on your head but now that you can get a prescription for Propecia from the privacy and comfort of your own home by visiting our KwikMed website there’s no reason why you have to take hair loss lying down.