By Christine Haran
You might be surprised to learn that many people are unable to untangle fact from fiction when it comes to hair loss. Some of the blame lies with the many companies and individuals exploiting hair loss myths in order to sell bogus hair products. Other myths may linger because people with hair loss, particularly women, are reluctant to talk about an issue that remains sensitive and sometimes emotional.
The following are some popular myths about hair loss to watch out for:
Myth: Pattern Baldness Comes From Your Mother's Side Only
For those of you secretly blaming your mother's grandfather for your male- or female- pattern baldness, it's time to let go. The hair loss gene does not get passed down from your mother, nor does it skip a generation. If fact, there isn't even a single hair loss gene; researchers think pattern baldness is probably due to the interaction of several genes inherited from both parents.
Myth: Only Men Experience Pattern Baldness
In reality, hair loss is just as common in women as it is in men, though the degree of loss tends to vary by gender. "By the age of 50, over 50 percent of men have significant hair loss," Dr. McAndrews says. "For women, about 25 percent have significant hair loss by the age of 50, though it may be less apparent because women are more conscientious about hiding it than men are."
The timing and pattern of pattern baldness is also different in men and women.
Copyright 2009 NBC Health
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