What happens to the hair in androgenetic alopecia?
Hair grows through two main stages – a growth stage known as anagen lasting 2 – 4 years and a rest stage known as telogen which lasts 2 – 4 months, after which the hair falls out. This cycle is repeated. In androgenetic alopecia, the anagen stage is shortened so that the hair grows for a shorter period and is thinner, shorter and less pigmented. The anagen stage becomes shorter with each hair cycle so that only a fluff of hair is produced eventually, and in some people, the area is almost totally bald.
