Once you start losing your hair does that mean the hair follicles are dead and gone forever? Or just dormant?

Question

Once you start losing your hair does that mean the hair follicles are dead and gone forever? Or just dormant?

Answer 1

It depends on how long you've been losing your hair. If the 'hair loss process' began no longer than one to two years ago, then the majority of the hair follicles effected may still be dormant. The 'hair loss process' doesn't begin when you or someone else first notices that your hair has begun thinning. When the hair follicles are first affected by the hormone DHT, the follicle begins to shrink and produce finer, thinner hairs throughout various growth cycles. It is at this beginning stage that the one to two years actually starts, not when you notice the hair loss. It takes about a year to be able to notice the hair loss. The general rule of thumb with hair loss treatments (excluding hair transplants) is not to expect anything more than maintenance (hold onto what you have left), and not to maintain or regrow hair at the front of the scalp, but you can always hope for regrowth based on how long you’ve been losing your hair.