Is it now a proven fact that the hair follicles of a bald man are still "alive"?

[Rudolphus]

It used to be believed that follicles eventually die completely once they have been exposed to DHT for long enough. However, I seem to remember reading that some recent research has found that miniaturized follicles never actually die, but that they just become dormant.

Has this now become an established fact? What exactly are the characteristics of a "dormant" follicle anyway? Is there fibrosis present on DHT-damaged follicles (which would help to explain why regrowth is difficult with current treatments)?

 

[zzzzz]

when the follicle is so weak it can no longer push the hair even outside the skin

 

[pidda]

There's a couple of issues I think that isn't limited to just the follicle not growing. If the follicle stops growing then there is a process of fibrosis that scars over the hole.

 

[hellouser]

Dr. Cotsarelis has already verified this in last year's (2014) hair Congress presentation, clearly starting that follicles never 'die'. This should be common knowledge by now.

Also, follicles don't become dormant either, they miniaturize, therefore the size of the follicle is smaller and the size of the hair grown reflects that.

 

[jabbathehair]

How can the scare tissue that is left from the balding process be treated though? Is it actual scaring tissue that forms?