Hair Through the Female Life Cycle

December 2011 in “ British Journal of Dermatology ”

A.G. Messenger

female pattern hair loss follicular miniaturization hair cycle finasteride minoxidil chronic telogen effluvium greying androgens menopausal status FPHL Propecia Rogaine CTE

TLDR Women's hair generally gets thinner and less dense starting in their mid-thirties, with hair loss becoming more common as they age due to both genetics and environment.

The 2011 document reviews the changes in female scalp hair growth throughout the aging process, indicating a general decrease in hair density and diameter starting from the mid-thirties, with hair density dropping from 293 to 211 hairs per square centimeter between the ages of 35 and 70. Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) is common and increases with age, characterized by follicular miniaturization and changes in the hair cycle. The review suggests that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to hair loss, with treatments like finasteride and minoxidil affecting the hair cycle. Chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) and greying are also discussed as part of the aging process. The document emphasizes the complexity of diagnosing hair loss and the need for further research to understand the multifactorial causes of scalp hair aging and FPHL, including the role of androgens and menopausal status.

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