Hair Regrowth in Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss Does Not Involve the Conversion of Vellus Hair to Terminal Hair

June 2016 in “ Experimental Dermatology ”

D. Hugh Rushton, Michael Norris, D. Van Neste

male pattern hair loss female pattern hair loss vellus hair terminal hair hair density hair follicles MPHL FPHL

TLDR Hair regrowth doesn't convert thin hairs to thick hairs, but increases overall hair density.

A study from 2016 found that hair regrowth in male and female pattern hair loss does not involve the conversion of vellus hair to terminal hair. The study analyzed previously published data on the effects of various treatments on hair density and vellus hair count. The results showed that hair regrowth did not involve the conversion of vellus hair to terminal hair, but rather an increase in total hair density and a decrease in the percentage of vellus hairs. The study proposes that there is a population of growth-restricted non-vellus hair follicles that are reactivated by effective medical treatments, which explains the increased hair growth observed in MPHL and FPHL.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research Similar Response Patterns to Topical Minoxidil Foam 5% in Frontal and Vertex Scalp of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Microarray Analysis

19 citations , June 2015 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil foam 5% effectively treats hair loss in both frontal and vertex scalp regions.

research Natural Scalp Hair Regression in Preclinical Stages of Male Androgenetic Alopecia and Its Reversal by Finasteride

24 citations , June 2006 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology”

Finasteride reverses early hair loss and promotes growth.

research Minoxidil: Mechanisms of Action on Hair Growth

397 citations , February 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by opening potassium channels and increasing cell activity.

research Causes of Hair Loss and Developments in Hair Rejuvenation

69 citations , February 2002 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science”

Some hair loss can be treated, especially in women due to nutrition, but some types remain untreatable.

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

145 citations , December 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Finasteride 1mg helps reverse hair miniaturization in men and postmenopausal women.

research The importance of adequate serum ferritin levels during oral cyproterone acetate and ethinyl oestradiol treatment of diffuse androgen-dependent alopecia in women

83 citations , April 1992 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

Having enough iron improves the effectiveness of a specific hair loss treatment in women.

research The unit area trichogram in the assessment of androgen-dependent alopecia

90 citations , October 1983 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

The unit area trichogram is a reliable method to assess hair loss and treatment response in people with androgenic alopecia by measuring hair density and thickness.

7 / 7 results

research Sisaipho Alopecia Areata Treated With Tofacitinib and Oral Minoxidil

1 citations , November 2022 in “JAAD case reports”

Tofacitinib and oral minoxidil may help treat Sisaipho alopecia areata.

research Baricitinib Results in Eyebrow and Eyelash Growth in Patients With Alopecia Areata Who Do Not Achieve 20% or Less Scalp Hair Loss

1 citations , September 2022 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Baricitinib helps grow eyebrows and eyelashes in severe alopecia areata patients.

research A Bald Statement: Current Approaches to Manipulate Miniaturization Focus Only on Promoting Hair Growth

30 citations , June 2018 in “Experimental Dermatology”

The conclusion is that future hair loss treatments should target the root causes of hair thinning, not just promote hair growth.

research Hair Regrowth in Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss Does Not Involve the Conversion of Vellus Hair to Terminal Hair

14 citations , June 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Hair regrowth doesn't convert thin hairs to thick hairs, but increases overall hair density.

research Disorders of Hair

July 2013 in “DeckerMed Medicine”

The document's conclusion cannot be provided because the document is not readable or understandable.

research Management of Unwanted Hair

1 citations , January 2009 in “Elsevier eBooks”

The chapter explains why and how women remove unwanted hair, comparing methods like shaving and waxing.

research Topical Minoxidil

24 citations , February 1987 in “Drugs”

Minoxidil promotes hair regrowth, but more research needed for effectiveness and response factors.