TLDR The study found average numbers for different types of hair follicles in the scalp and observed differences between men and women, suggesting reasons for more common hair shedding in women.
The study analyzed 80 scalp biopsy samples from 20 white cadavers, aged 21 to 78, to gather quantitative data on normal scalp structures. The median values found were 16.5 total follicles, 8 follicular units, 15 terminal follicles, 1 vellus follicle, and 1 fibrous tract per sample. The majority of follicles (92.2%) were in the anagen phase, with 1.6% in catagen and 6.2% in telogen. Men had fewer follicular units and total and telogen follicles but more total follicles and fibrous tracts in the frontal and vertex areas than women. Women had a higher number of telogen follicles and germinative units. The terminal to vellus ratio was 15:1 across all samples. These results provide a reference for normal scalp structures and suggest physiological reasons for the higher incidence of telogen effluvium complaints in women compared to men. The study indicates the need for further research with larger sample sizes to better understand these findings.
33 citations,
April 2005 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Aging alone barely affects the number of hair follicles, meaning hair loss is minimal without other conditions like androgenetic alopecia.
21 citations,
May 1996 in “Current problems in dermatology” Detailed patient history and physical exams are crucial for diagnosing hair loss.
71 citations,
March 1995 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Using both vertical and transverse sections for alopecia biopsies improves diagnosis without extra cost.
309 citations,
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139 citations,
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34 citations,
February 2012 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology” The research found specific signs to diagnose alopecia areata incognito and noted patients generally regrow hair after steroid treatment.
1 citations,
July 2018 in “Elsevier eBooks” Triple horizontal scalp biopsies are 98% accurate in diagnosing hair loss, better than single biopsies.
122 citations,
April 1995 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology” The document describes how to tell different types of non-scarring hair loss apart by looking at hair and scalp tissue under a microscope.
57 citations,
March 2011 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology” Chemotherapy can cause permanent, non-reversible hair loss similar to pattern baldness.
17 citations,
September 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics” The conclusion is that accurate diagnosis of different types of hair loss requires careful examination of tissue samples and understanding of clinical symptoms.
