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This new theory may actually explain why you’re going bald

If you’ve ever felt self-conscious about your receding hairline, you’re definitely not the only one.

Bald hair cure

Two thirds of American men will experience some form of hair loss by the age of 35, and 85 percent of men will have significantly thinning hair by the age of 50, according to the American Hair Loss Association.

The real cause of hair loss is still unclear, but U.K. scientists might be one step closer to understanding why it’s so prevalent.

A new study from the University of Edinburgh has identified 287 genetic regions linked to baldness, most of them related to hair structure and development.

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This is the largest study of its kind: Researchers examined the genomic and health data of more than 52,000 men in the U.K.

After analyzing their genes, they discovered that a good chunk of the genetic variants came from the X chromosome men inherit from their mothers, meaning your sex hormones could be interacting with your hair proteins - possibly increasing your risk for hair loss, the researchers say.

“We are still a long way from making an accurate prediction for an individual’s hair loss pattern. However, these results take us one step closer,” lead study author Riccardo Marioni, Ph.D., of the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, explained in a press release.

“The findings pave the way for an improved understanding of the genetic causes of hair loss.”

That’s a pretty big deal, since previous studies have only associated a handful of genes with the condition.

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Most of the genes identified were related to hair structure and development, like growth and thickness, possibly providing researchers with more information on how to effectively treat and even predict your risk for baldness.

Just remember, it’s a lot harder to grow hair back after you’ve lost it, so check out these five ways to stop hair loss if you want to keep your luscious locks for life.

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