Genetic hair loss either female pattern hair loss or male pattern hair loss is in fact hair thinning that happens repeatedly over time.
The hair growth cycle consists of the initial growing phase called anagen (where the hair grows), the transition stage called catagen stage which then leads to the resting stage of the hair called telogen phase and after this stage, the hair sheds. The hair follicle then goes into the growing phase again and this process repeats.
In genetic hair loss, both men and women are genetically prone to hair loss. Androgens like dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and some prostaglandins have a negative impact on hair growth.
This effect on the hair follicles causes a shortening of the growing phase of the hair resulting in hairs that are shorter and thinner. This is called thinning (miniaturisation) of the hairs. Over repeated hair growth cycles, the hairs get thinner and thinner until the hair follicles scar and are lost permanently.
Ignoring hair thinning as nothing but an ageing process is the wrong way to approach it. Female pattern hair loss and male pattern hair loss starts with hair thinning and the earlier this is diagnosed and treatment started, the greater the chance for hair growth as all hair loss treatments require a hair follicle to act upon.
There are products out there that are supposed to help with thinning hair. Most of them are not approved by the regulatory bodies due to lack of scientific trials. These then end up in the category called cosmeceuticals making them available for sale to the general public.
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