What's with my Hair Falling Out !? (Part 2)
In normal, healthy adults, the approximate percentages of hairs in these three different phases are:
- 84% in the growth (anagen) phase
- 0-1% in the transition (catagen) phase
- 14-15% in the resting (telogen) phase
Returning your hair follicles to the anagen growth cycle is the objective of any plan to regrow healthier hair.
In cases of alopecia, the hair growth cycle has been altered so that the anagen (growth) phase is shortened. This results in an increased percentage of hairs in the catagen and telogen phases.
The enzyme conversion of testosterone creates a compound called Di-Hydro Testosterone (DHT). The effect of DHT on the hair follicles and oil glands of the scalp can be detrimental to the anagen phase that you want to lengthen.
In areas of hair thinning or loss, the follicles have more sites to which DHT can attach, and more DHT at those sites. This buildup of DHT near the follicles can shorten their growth phase and increase the numbers of hairs in the transition and resting phases. A continuation in this buildup of DHT will actually shrink the hair follicles, which causes their hairs to become thinner, weaker, and look less healthy.