What is hair health?
Hair grows from follicles, tiny structures in the skin that move through repeating phases. In the growth phase, a hair lengthens. It then enters a brief transition, followed by a resting phase before it sheds and a new hair begins. Hormones, nutrition, stress, the immune system and age all influence these cycles, which is why hair can feel thick at one time and thinner at another.
How your genes play a role
Genes help set the length of the growth phase and how follicles respond to androgens, hormones such as testosterone and its stronger form DHT. Some variants are linked to inflammation around the follicle or to immune activity that can affect hair. These tendencies interact with diet, stress, scalp care and overall health.
Hair changes can feel personal and sometimes worrying. Understanding your genetic tendencies may bring clarity, helping you see whether hormone sensitivity, inflammation or growth cycles may be more relevant for you. This context can make conversations with a dermatologist or clinician more focused, and help you choose care with realistic expectations. It can also remind you that many hair changes are common and gradual. It turns uncertainty into understanding.
What your report shows
Your Hair Health results are explained in plain language in your private EvoDNA account, alongside the other areas in your kit.
- Hormone sensitivityVariants linked to how hair follicles respond to androgens.
- DHT productionGenes that influence the enzymes converting testosterone into DHT.
- Growth cycleHow your genes may shape the length of the hair growth phase.
- Scalp inflammationVariants related to inflammatory signals around the follicle.
| Gene | What it does | Result |
|---|---|---|
| AR | Encodes the androgen receptor and is one of the… | Typical |
| SRD5A2 | Makes an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, a… | Moderate effect |
| FGF5 | Produces a growth factor that helps signal the end… | Typical |
Each result comes with a plain-language explanation and practical points to discuss with your clinician.
Illustration only. Your report reflects your own genetic results.
Genes we analyze
| Gene | Role |
|---|---|
| AR | Encodes the androgen receptor and is one of the most studied genes in pattern hair loss. |
| SRD5A2 | Makes an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, a hormone that affects hair follicles. |
| FGF5 | Produces a growth factor that helps signal the end of the hair growth phase. |
| IL1B | Makes an inflammatory messenger that can influence the environment around hair follicles. |
| HLA-DQ1 | Part of the immune system's recognition genes and studied in immune-related hair loss. |
Full panel: 12 genes
AR, SRD5A1, SRD5A2, IL1RA, IL1B, TNF, FGF5, FOXA2, HLA-DQ1, PPARγ, EHF, FGFR1
Putting results to use
Many people use their results as a starting point for conversations with their clinician about:
Protein, iron and other nutrients are often discussed for healthy hair growth.
Avoiding tight styles and harsh heat may help reduce strain on follicles.
Periods of stress can affect hair cycles, so relaxation practices may help.
Talking with a dermatologist when you notice changes can help you understand your options.
Questions
Is hair loss inherited from my mother's side?
Both sides can contribute. The androgen receptor gene comes from the mother in men, but many other genes from both parents also play a role.
Can my results tell me if I will lose my hair?
No. They show tendencies, while hormones, stress, nutrition and health conditions also influence hair.
Do these insights apply to women?
Yes. Women can also experience hormone-related hair changes, and genetics can offer context for discussions with a clinician.
Only interested in this area? The Hair Growth & Thickness Genetic Report is available on its own for $99.00.
