TLDR More kenogen hairs cause hair thinning in androgenetic alopecia, not hair miniaturization.
This study suggests that the increased duration and frequency of kenogen hairs are the main cause of hair rarefaction in androgenetic alopecia (AGA), rather than hair miniaturization. The study found that oral finasteride increased the total number of hairs by 55%, but failed to decrease the prevalence of vellus hairs. The study involved 43 male subjects with AGA over a 2.5-year period. The study concludes that the old concept of hair miniaturization as the sole possible cause of baldness is hardly tenable, and that the increased duration and frequency of kenogen are the real mechanism through which the scalp hairs rarefy.
4 citations,
April 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology” AGA causes hair loss through follicle miniaturization and hair cycle changes; regrowth depends on anagen initiation in kenogen follicles.
14 citations,
January 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology” Hair regrowth doesn't convert thin hairs to thick hairs, but increases overall hair density.
66 citations,
June 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride increases hair weight and count in men with hair loss, with best results after four years.
40 citations,
December 2004 in “Dermatology” Kenogen increases with hair loss in women.
129 citations,
October 2000 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Finasteride helps increase hair growth in men with hair loss.
January 2021 in “International journal of dermatology, venereology and leprosy sciences” Most adult women experiencing hair loss are aged 21-40, with the most common type being female pattern hair loss. Trichoscopy is a useful tool for diagnosing different types of hair loss.
3 citations,
January 2020 in “Clinical dermatology review” Trichoscopy is useful for diagnosing hair and scalp disorders in people with darker skin.
96 citations,
January 2013 in “International Journal of Trichology” Trichoscopy is a useful, non-invasive way to diagnose different types of hair loss.
245 citations,
March 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Dermatoscopy is useful for identifying different hair and scalp conditions and can reduce the need for biopsies.
67 citations,
February 2009 in “Journal of Dermatology”
