Some people win the genetic lottery with thick, luscious locks, while others get a forehead that seems to be expanding every year. And naturally, when the hairline starts creeping back or the strands start thinning out, the question gets thrown around—who’s responsible for this? If your dad’s bald but your mom’s side has a history of full, healthy hair, are you in the clear? Or should you start side-eyeing your maternal grandfather’s scalp?
For years, the myth has circulated that male pattern baldness is exclusively inherited from the mother’s side. Convenient, right? If that were true, half of the world’s dads would be off the hook. But hair genetics isn’t that simple. The question of where do hair genes come from doesn’t have a one-parent answer—your locks (or lack thereof) are the result of a complicated genetic mix passed down from both sides of your family.
Hair thickness, texture, color, and even the likelihood of hair loss are influenced by multiple genes—not just one magical “baldness gene” lurking on your mom’s X chromosome. Sure, the androgen receptor (AR) gene, often linked to male pattern baldness, comes from your mother, but other genes from your father’s side also play a role in your hair’s fate. And then there are environmental factors, which can tip the scales even further.
So, before you start blaming (or thanking) one parent for your hair situation, let’s untangle the science behind where hair genes come from and whether mom or dad really deserves the credit (or the blame).
Who’s to Blame for Your Hair? The Science of Inherited Hair Traits
Hair traits aren’t as straightforward as pointing fingers at one parent. Your genetics are a 50/50 split from mom and dad, but when it comes to hair loss inheritance from mother or father, things get a little more complicated.
The most famous myth is that male pattern baldness is strictly inherited from the mother’s side—specifically, from her father. While there’s some truth to this (the androgen receptor (AR) gene, associated with male pattern baldness, is carried on the X chromosome, which you get from your mom), it’s only part of the story. The genetic factors in male pattern baldness also come from your father’s side, meaning your dad’s hair (or lack thereof) still holds weight in the equation.
Genetic hair traits aren’t just about baldness. The genetics of hair color inheritance, texture, and thickness are all polygenic—meaning multiple genes contribute to these characteristics. If you’ve got a mix of wavy and straight hair in your family, your strands might fall somewhere in between. And if one parent has thick hair while the other has baby-fine strands? Your hair thickness is a roll of the genetic dice.
The X Chromosome and Hair Loss: Is Mom Really the Culprit?
The role of the X chromosome in hair genetics has been overhyped, but it still plays a key role. The AR gene, which influences sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is found on the X chromosome. This hormone is infamous for causing hereditary hair loss patterns, particularly male pattern baldness.
Since men inherit their X chromosome from their mother, is baldness inherited from the mother's father? Somewhat—but only partially. If your maternal grandfather had a receding hairline, you might have a higher chance of following suit, but it’s not a guaranteed fate. Other hair loss-related genes are autosomal, meaning they come from both parents.
And let’s be clear—DHT sensitivity isn’t just a male issue. Women with a genetic predisposition to androgenetic alopecia can also experience thinning hair, though it usually presents as diffuse thinning rather than a receding hairline.
Can Your Dad’s Genes Cause Hair Loss?
While mom’s genes might hold some weight, can father’s genes cause hair loss? Absolutely. In fact, studies have found that if your father is bald, your odds of experiencing male pattern baldness increase significantly. This is because hair loss isn’t dictated by a single gene—it’s a complex interplay of multiple genetic markers.
That means if your paternal grandfather, uncles, or even distant relatives have dealt with hair loss, you’ve got a solid chance of inheriting those traits as well. This explains why some men with a full-haired maternal lineage still find themselves reaching for hair-thickening products in their 30s.
Does Hair Thickness Come from Mom or Dad?
If you’re running your hands through your hair, wondering whether you inherited a thick mane or fine strands, the answer is… both. Parental influence on hair texture is another example of polygenic inheritance.
Hair thickness is determined by the size and shape of hair follicles, which are influenced by multiple genes. If both of your parents have thick, voluminous hair, you’ve hit the genetic jackpot. If one parent has fine, thin strands, you might fall somewhere in between.
Interestingly, hair thickness is also influenced by ethnicity. For example, people of Asian descent tend to have thicker, rounder hair strands due to genetic factors in hair structure, whereas those of European descent typically have more variation in texture and thickness.
Conclusion
So, who wins the blame game? The reality is that maternal vs. paternal genes in hair traits isn’t a black-and-white issue. Both parents contribute to your hair’s fate, from baldness to texture to color.
While the X chromosome does play a role in hair loss inheritance from mother or father, the genes inherited from dad shouldn’t be ignored. And beyond genetics, environmental factors like stress, diet, and lifestyle choices can tip the scales in either direction.
So before you start pointing fingers at your family tree, take a look at the bigger picture. Hair genetics are complex, but knowing what’s in your DNA can at least help you understand what to expect—and what you can (and can’t) control.
