What Ages Hair?

October 2015 in “ International Journal of Women's Dermatology ”

Assaf Monselise, David Cohen, Rita Wanser, Jerry Shapiro

TLDR Hair aging is inevitable, but using the right hair care products can help maintain hair health.

The document from 2015 examines the causes of hair aging and loss, including genetic, hormonal, environmental, and grooming factors. It notes that 50% of men by age 50 and 38% of women over age 50 experience pattern hair loss (PHL), with chronic scalp inflammation potentially reducing the anagen phase and causing follicle miniaturization. Senescent alopecia is identified as a scalp-wide reduction in hair number occurring between ages 50 and 80. The paper also discusses the damaging effects of weathering, grooming, and harsh chemicals on hair health. Minoxidil is highlighted as an effective FDA-approved treatment for hair loss, with a 30% increase in hair weight compared to placebo at 96 weeks. The document concludes that while hair aging is inevitable, selecting appropriate hair care products is important for maintaining hair health, and further research is needed to determine if these products can improve scalp conditions or slow down hair loss due to AGA or age-related thinning.

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Research cited in this study

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Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Dutasteride 0.5 mg Once Daily in Male Patients with Male Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III Study

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research Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Topical Minoxidil Solution: Etiology and Treatment

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research Possible Mechanisms of Miniaturization During Androgenetic Alopecia or Pattern Hair Loss

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Measuring Reversal of Hair Miniaturization in Androgenetic Alopecia by Follicular Counts in Horizontal Sections of Serial Scalp Biopsies: Results of Finasteride 1mg Treatment of Men and Postmenopausal Women

research Measuring Reversal of Hair Miniaturization in Androgenetic Alopecia by Follicular Counts in Horizontal Sections of Serial Scalp Biopsies: Results of Finasteride 1mg Treatment of Men and Postmenopausal Women

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Changes in Hair Weight and Hair Count in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia After Application of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil, Placebo, or No Treatment

research Changes in Hair Weight and Hair Count in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia After Application of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil, Placebo, or No Treatment

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research Ketoconazole Shampoo: Effect of Long-Term Use in Androgenic Alopecia

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Activation of Cytoprotective Prostaglandin Synthase-1 by Minoxidil as a Possible Explanation for Its Hair Growth-Stimulating Effect

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