Genetic tests for androgenetic alopecia can predict your risk of developing hair loss, but they cannot tell you when it will start or how quickly density will decline. Density tracking with AI provides the real-time data that genetic tests cannot, and combining both creates the most complete picture of your hair loss profile.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
What Genetic Hair Loss Tests Measure
Genetic tests for hair loss screen for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with androgenetic alopecia. The most significant variant sits on the androgen receptor (AR) gene on the X chromosome. This variant, inherited from your mother's side, determines how sensitive your hair follicles are to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Tests like HairDX focus specifically on the AR gene variant responsible for approximately 80% of male AGA cases. Broader panels from providers like 23andMe cover multiple SNPs across several genes, producing a polygenic risk estimate.
What Tests Can and Cannot Tell You
| Genetic Tests Reveal | Genetic Tests Cannot Reveal |
|---|---|
| AGA susceptibility level | When loss will begin |
| AR gene variant status | Rate of progression |
| Polygenic risk score | Final Norwood stage |
| Drug metabolism markers | Treatment response timeline |
The gap between genetic risk and actual outcomes is significant. Twin studies show AGA is roughly 79% heritable, leaving 21% of variation to non-genetic factors like stress, nutrition, and sleep quality.
How to Combine Genetic Data with Density Tracking
Follow these steps to build an integrated genetic and density profile.
Step 1: Order a Genetic Test
Choose a test based on what you want to learn:
- HairDX for focused AR gene screening with a clear risk classification
- 23andMe for a broader polygenic risk estimate alongside other health insights
- Fagron TrichoTest for pharmacogenomic data predicting treatment response
Results typically arrive in 2 to 6 weeks.
Step 2: Record Your Results
From your test results, note the following:
- Overall risk classification (low, moderate, high)
- AR gene variant status (positive or negative)
- Any pharmacogenomic recommendations for treatment selection
Step 3: Establish a Density Baseline
Visit myhairline.ai/analyze and take your first set of photos. The AI will classify your current Norwood stage and estimate follicular density. Norwood stages range from N2 (800 to 1,500 grafts if treated) through N7 (5,500 to 7,500 grafts), with each stage representing a measurable increase in affected area.
This baseline pairs with your genetic data to create your starting profile.
Step 4: Track Consistently Every 4 to 8 Weeks
Photograph your hairline, temples, and vertex under the same lighting conditions at regular intervals. Consistency matters more than frequency. The AI compares each new set of images against your baseline to detect changes in density, recession, and coverage.
Step 5: Correlate Genetic Risk with Measured Changes
After 6 to 12 months, you will have enough data points to see whether your trajectory matches your genetic risk profile. A high-risk individual with stable density is outperforming their genetic prediction. A moderate-risk individual with rapid decline may have non-genetic factors accelerating their loss.
Interpreting Your Combined Data
The value of pairing genetic and density data is the ability to personalize your understanding of hair loss beyond population averages.
High risk, stable density. Your protective lifestyle factors or current treatment may be effectively countering your genetic susceptibility. Finasteride halts further loss in 80 to 90% of users and produces regrowth in 65%. If you are on treatment and your density is stable, your protocol is working.
Moderate risk, rapid decline. Non-genetic accelerators may be at play. Investigate stress, sleep, iron levels, vitamin D, zinc, and thyroid function. Minoxidil produces moderate regrowth in 40 to 60% of users and could be added to your protocol.
High risk, gradual decline. This is the expected pattern for untreated high-risk individuals. Quantifying the rate matters: a 3% annual decline suggests a different treatment urgency than a 15% annual decline. PRP therapy costs $500 to $2,000 per session and increases density by 30 to 40% in clinical studies.
Limitations to Understand
Current genetic tests have important boundaries. AGA involves over 200 identified genetic loci, and no consumer test screens all of them. Most validation studies are based on Caucasian cohorts, so predictive accuracy may differ for other ethnic backgrounds. Follicular density norms vary by ethnicity: Caucasian averages are 170 to 230 FU/cm2, Asian averages are 140 to 200 FU/cm2, and African averages are 120 to 180 FU/cm2.
Epigenetic modifications can also alter how genes express without changing the underlying DNA sequence. A gene variant may be present but inactive, or absent but compensated for by environmental factors. Tracking measures the actual outcome regardless of these complexities.
Start Building Your Profile
A genetic test tells you what could happen. Density tracking shows you what is happening. Together, they provide the context needed to make informed treatment decisions with your dermatologist.
Upload your first photo at myhairline.ai/analyze to establish your baseline, then pair it with your genetic data for a complete hair loss profile.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any treatment.