Hair: A Review of Prominent Scalp Hair Changes throughout a Females’ Life

Abstract

Throughout a females’ life, scalp hair growth is variable in its extent and time course. Age-related changes can occur to it including changes in the hair cycling, hair density, hair diameter and pigmentation, and possibly in structural qualities of the hair fiber. Evidence is starting to appear that environmental factors also contribute, possibly in a major way, to the changes that we observe in scalp hair growth as women get older. These changes are most pronounced in female pattern hair loss. Determining the cause or causes of hair loss in women can be difficult and should be guided by the patient’s history, including, the pattern of hair loss, other medical conditions, the use of hair treatments, and the family history as well as by the physical examination to differentiate between female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and telogen effluvium (TE). Topical anti-aging compounds include photoprotectors and antioxidants. In the absence of another way to reverse hair graying, hair colorants remain the mainstay of recovering lost hair color. Topical liposome targeting for melanins, genes, and proteins selectively to hair follicles are currently under investigation.