Which term describes hair loss due to hormonal activity that reduces terminal hairs to vellus hairs?

• A. Alopecia areata
• B. Telogen effluvium
• C. Traction alopecia
• D. Androgenic alopecia

Answer: (D)

Androgenic alopecia is the hormonal form of hair loss where follicles gradually miniaturize under the influence of androgens like DHT. This miniaturization makes hairs thinner, shorter, and lighter, so terminal hairs convert into vellus-like hairs. It’s a progressive pattern that affects mainly the crown and temples in men and can cause diffuse thinning in women. Other conditions involve different mechanisms—alopecia areata is autoimmune and presents as patchy loss, telogen effluvium is diffuse shedding from a stress or shock to the system, and traction alopecia results from mechanical pulling. The hallmark here is hormone-driven follicle miniaturization leading to a shift from thick terminal hairs to fine vellus hairs.