Why Do I Have Hair Loss but My Sibling Doesn’t?

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It’s a common and frustrating question: why am I losing my hair, but my sibling isn’t? The answer often comes down to genetics, but it’s a little more complex than that.

The most common types of hair loss we see are male and female pattern hair loss, known medically as androgenetic alopecia. This condition is hereditary, but it doesn’t always affect family members equally or in the same way.

You might experience hair thinning in your teens, while your brother keeps a full head of hair into his 40s. Or you might be the only one in your family showing signs of hair loss while everyone else seems unaffected.

Genetic hair loss can skip generations or individual siblings. It may not affect your brother, but it could show up in your children. It also doesn’t always appear at the same age. For some, it starts in adolescence; for others, it might not show up until much later in life.

Lifestyle choices and external factors can also influence how early or aggressively hair loss appears—especially if you’re already genetically predisposed. For example, in men, supplements like whey protein or creatine can accelerate hair loss. But if you don’t have the genetic predisposition, these same supplements won’t have any effect on your hair.

In women, certain contraceptive pills can worsen female pattern hair loss, while others that include anti-androgens may help manage it. This means that even with the same genetic background, external factors like medications or lifestyle can impact how and when hair loss presents.

Ultimately, it’s not about fairness, it’s about biology. If you’re experiencing hair loss and your sibling isn’t, it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It just means your hair genetics and triggers are different.

And the good news? There are more options than ever to slow, treat, and manage hair loss. A proper diagnosis is your first step toward understanding your unique situation and taking back control.

Good luck on your journey.

Think you may have hair loss? Consider booking in an online or in person consultation with us.

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