Hair through the female life cycle
December 2011
in “British Journal of Dermatology”
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.
View this study on academic.oup.com →
Cited in this study
research Iron deficiency and hair loss—Nothing new?
Iron deficiency might be linked to hair loss, but more research is needed.
research Iron deficiency in female pattern hair loss, chronic telogen effluvium, and control groups
Iron deficiency common in women, not always linked to hair loss; more research needed.
research Prevalence of androgenetic alopecia in China: a community-based study in six cities
Baldness is more common in Chinese men than women, increasing with age, and is influenced by genetics.
research Why Some Women Look Young for Their Age
Women look young for their age due to larger lips, less sun damage, and genes that prevent gray hair and wrinkles.
research Prevalence and types of androgenetic alopecia in Shanghai, China: a community-based study
Chinese men have lower AGA rates than Caucasians, with type III vertex most common; family history is important.
research Aging of the hair follicle pigmentation system
research Natural Scalp Hair Regression in Preclinical Stages of Male Androgenetic Alopecia and Its Reversal by Finasteride
Finasteride reverses early hair loss and promotes growth.
research Prevalence of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss in Maryborough
Hair loss common in Australia; men affected earlier, more often than Asians; women less concerned.
research Kenogen in Female Androgenetic Alopecia
Kenogen increases with hair loss in women.
research The reliability of horizontally sectioned scalp biopsies in the diagnosis of chronic diffuse telogen hair loss in women
Horizontally sectioned scalp biopsies are more reliable for diagnosing hair loss in women when three samples are taken instead of one.
research Effects of minoxidil 2% vs. cyproterone acetate treatment on female androgenetic alopecia: a controlled, 12-month randomized trial
Minoxidil works better for female hair loss, but cyproterone reduces scalp oiliness and causes menstrual issues.
research The prevalence and types of androgenetic alopecia in Korean men and women
AGA more common in men, Koreans have lower rates and unique patterns.
research Hair density, hair diameter and the prevalence of female pattern hair loss
FPHL affects hair density and diameter, causing visible hair loss in older women.
research Incidence of Female Androgenetic Alopecia (Female Pattern Alopecia)
Hair loss in women is common, starts in late 20s, and affects 30% of women over 50.
research Chronic telogen effluvium: Increased scalp hair shedding in middle-aged women
Middle-aged women with chronic telogen effluvium experience increased hair shedding but usually don't get significantly thinner hair.
Related
research Hair loss (alopecia or baldness)
Baldness is often hereditary and linked to male hormones, becoming noticeable when half the hair is lost.
research Treatments of hereditary hair loss (alopecia)
Some treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, and surgery can help with hereditary hair loss.
research Hair through the female life cycle
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.
research Short anagen hair with persistent synchronized pattern of scalp hair growth
A boy had unusual synchronized hair growth with short active growth phases, not fitting known hair disorders.