The Good and Bad of Miniaturization Mapping

Doctor

Miniaturization seems to be a bad news good news scenario. The bad news obviously is you’re thinning or balding. The good news, if there is miniaturized hairs, there’s a good possibility they can be reversed with medication. Would that be a correct assessment?

Yes, that is the case. I can tell you a short story about heart disease, which I think is a good metaphor for your question.

There is a test that can plot out the aging of your heart and the degree of heart disease that you might have. This test (a CAT scan of the heart for coronary calcification) can actually predict the probability of a heart attack within 2 years. Many people find out about this test and really don’t want to know. I tell them that in 70% of people, the first sign of heart disease is death and some people still don’t want to know. I tell everyone that there is no bad news. Either your heart is good or you have heart disease with some risk of dying — your choice to know. Is it not better to know and do something to prevent your death than to refuse to take the test?

Predicting outcome is similar with miniaturization mapping, but hair loss progress does not kill you. Do you get the metaphor?