Modeling the dynamics of human hair cycles by a follicular automaton

The study developed a follicular automaton model to simulate the dynamics of human hair cycles, based on 14 years of observations from 10 male volunteers, both alopecic and nonalopecic. This model used stochastic rules to govern the transitions between hair growth phases: anagen, catagen, telogen, and latency. It successfully replicated the observed follicle cycle dynamics and the distribution of follicles in each phase. Additionally, the model was able to simulate spatial patterns of hair growth and the progression to hair loss patterns, such as diffuse or androgenetic alopecia, by considering follicle death or miniaturization after a critical number of cycles.