The Lack of Significant Changes in Scalp Hair Follicle Density With Advancing Age

April 2005 in “ British Journal of Dermatology ”

Rodney Sinclair, Anna Chapman, Jill Magee

scalp hair follicle density hair follicle density total hair count hair loss androgenetic alopecia intrinsic aging hair count androgenic alopecia aging

TLDR Aging alone barely affects the number of hair follicles, meaning hair loss is minimal without other conditions like androgenetic alopecia.

The study analyzed 1666 scalp biopsies from 928 women aged 13 to 84 years to assess the impact of age on hair follicle density and total hair count in the context of hair loss. It found a very weak negative correlation between age and total hair follicle number, with age being a poor predictor of total hair count (R2 < 2%). The expected decrease in hair follicle count over a span of 53 years was minimal and comparable to the initial stages of androgenetic alopecia. The conclusion was that intrinsic aging is not a significant factor in reducing total hair follicle count, implying that visible hair loss due to aging alone is minimal unless accompanied by androgenetic alopecia.

View this study on academic.oup.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

3 / 3 results

research The Reliability of Horizontally Sectioned Scalp Biopsies in the Diagnosis of Chronic Diffuse Telogen Hair Loss in Women

137 citations, July 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Horizontally sectioned scalp biopsies are more reliable for diagnosing hair loss in women when three samples are taken instead of one.

research Diagnostic and Predictive Value of Horizontal Sections of Scalp Biopsy Specimens in Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

309 citations, May 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Horizontal scalp biopsy sections effectively diagnose and predict MPAA, with follicular density and inflammation impacting hair regrowth.

research Alopecia

22 citations, June 1980 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

The document concludes that correct diagnosis of alopecia types is crucial, scalp biopsies are important, and more research is needed.

Related Research

8 / 8 results

research Male Pattern Hair Loss: Can Developmental Origins Explain the Pattern?

May 2023 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Male pattern hair loss may be linked to the developmental origins of hair follicles.

research 63-Year-Old Female with Diffuse Thinning of the Hair

January 2022 in “Clinical Cases in Dermatology”

Androgenetic alopecia, a common hair loss condition, can be treated with topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, or oral spironolactone, and new treatments like platelet-rich plasma, low-level laser therapy, and janus-kinase inhibitors are being explored.

research Hair Loss (Alopecia or Baldness)

June 2018

Baldness is often hereditary and linked to male hormones, becoming noticeable when half the hair is lost.

research Ambiguous Alopecia in a 36-Year-Old Woman

October 2012

The woman has unexplained hair loss and it's unclear what her condition is or how to treat it.

research Alopecia Areata: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Unusual Cases

109 citations, May 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that can lead to complete baldness, often associated with other autoimmune conditions, and half of the cases may see hair return within a year.

research Standardization of Trichotillometer

March 2009

Trichotillometry can measure hair plucking force, aiding alopecia treatment evaluation.

research Evaluation of Hair Loss

21 citations, May 1996 in “Current problems in dermatology”

Detailed patient history and physical exams are crucial for diagnosing hair loss.

research Androgenetic Alopecia, Trichotrophic Substances, and Histologic Studies of the Human Scalp

5 citations, October 1988 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

Minoxidil promotes hair growth but exact mechanism is unknown.

The Lack of Significant Changes in Scalp Hair Follicle Density With Advancing Age

Research cited in this study

research The Reliability of Horizontally Sectioned Scalp Biopsies in the Diagnosis of Chronic Diffuse Telogen Hair Loss in Women

research Diagnostic and Predictive Value of Horizontal Sections of Scalp Biopsy Specimens in Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

research Alopecia

Related Community Posts Join

community GT20029 China Phase II Trial For AGA Reached Primary Endpoint

community A Nuanced Look at Microdosing Topical Finasteride

community Finasteride won’t make all your problems go away

community Creatine made all my high DHT symptoms return

community Hello everyone! I just wanted to show you guys my hair transplant result so far. I actually really liked it. And I recommend a hair transplant for everyone who suffering from baldness. I'm 37 and I feel regret that why I didn't have a hair transplant till that time.

community AMA: I travelled to Turkey to get an FUE Hair Transplant: 5000 Grafts, Dr Koray Erdogan, ASMED Clinic