Causes for Miniaturized Hairs in Women

Dr. Rassman:

Does the shedding of miniaturized hairs always indicate AGA, or can the presence of miniaturized hairs be due to another cause of hair loss? If so, what else can cause it?

Thank you for any input

Hair grows in cycles. During the stages of the cycle, individual hairs may go through physical changes often referred to as miniaturization. In normal non-balding people, the miniaturized hairs will represent less than 20% of the hair population. Miniaturization is the process where a normal thickness hair shaft becomes thinner and thinner over time. It can be due to the genetically determined effects of aging and/or androgenic hormones on the terminal (normal) hair follicle or other stress related or medical conditions (physical stress, mental stress, stress from chemicals or drugs, diseases, dietary problems, etc).

Miniaturization does not necessarily indicate AGA. It does not in itself give you a diagnosis, but a general state of hair health. The diagnosis comes from a good history and physical exam with a complete mapping of the scalp hairs for miniaturization.