Hair Growth as Anti-Aging

The document discussed two types of hair loss associated with aging: senile alopecia and androgenetic alopecia. Senile alopecia resulted from follicle loss due to aging and did not follow a specific pattern, while androgenetic alopecia, influenced by male hormones, led to a characteristic pattern due to the shortening of the hair cycle's growth phase and follicle miniaturization. Androgenetic alopecia was of greater concern both aesthetically and psychologically. Anti-aging treatments included hair transplantation and medications, primarily minoxidil and finasteride. Minoxidil promoted hair growth by opening ATP-sensitive K+ channels, while finasteride acted as an anti-androgen by inhibiting type II 5α-reductase. Both treatments were clinically proven effective, with the document providing detailed pharmacological effects of minoxidil.