Delayed Telogen Replacement in a Boy's Scalp
January 1998
in “
Dermatology
”
Studysummary This study observed that vellus hairs and empty spaces are present in prepubertal children's scalps, but they likely do not indicate androgenetic alopecia, suggesting a natural 'true resting' phase of scalp hair.
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The study investigated delayed telogen replacement in an 8-year-old boy's scalp over a period from July 1996 to May 1997 using the phototrichogram technique on 60 hairs. It found that 52% of the hairs were terminal anagen hairs, while 22% followed a regular hair cycle. Vellus hairs and empty spaces were observed in 18% and 8% of follicles, respectively, with 2% showing both. The presence of vellus hairs and empty spaces in children, without the influence of gonadal androgens or 5α-reductase, suggested that these might not indicate androgenetic alopecia (AGA) but rather a physiological resting phase of some scalp hair. The study concluded that androgens might exacerbate this phenomenon, potentially contributing to AGA development.
