3 hair loss myths you probably believe

3 Hair Loss Myths You Probably Believe

Baldness is often misunderstood, with many false ideas persisting about its causes. Popular Science consulted three hair experts to clarify what science truly says about hair loss.

Myth: Baldness Comes Only from Your Mother’s Side

You may have heard the saying, “Your mother’s father determines if you’ll go bald.” However, this is inaccurate.

“That’s one of the most common myths I hear, and it’s not true,” says Dr. Jerry Shapiro, a dermatologist and alopecia specialist at New York University. “The gene for pattern hair loss isn’t confined to your mom’s side.”

One key gene connected to androgenetic alopecia—male or female pattern baldness—is located on the X chromosome, which men inherit from their mothers, explains Dr. Alan Bauman, a hair transplant surgeon at Bauman Medical. But this gene is just one factor in a complex interaction.

Baldness results from many genes inherited from both parents, combined with lifestyle, hormones, and environmental influences. According to Bauman, “If your father, grandfather, or uncles on either side of the family experienced hair loss, your risk may be higher—but it is never determined specifically by your mother’s side alone.”

Summary

Hair loss is a multifaceted condition influenced by genetics from both parents and various external factors, debunking the myth that it is inherited solely from the mother’s side.

Popular Science — 2025-11-06