Address of Corresponding Author

Dermatology 2005;210:18-20 (DOI: 10.1159/000081477)

  Key Words

• Kenogen
• Androgenetic alopecia
• Hair cycle
• Phototrichogram

  Abstract

Background: Kenogen indicates the physiological interval of the hair cycle in which the hair follicle remains empty after the telogen hair has been extruded and before a new anagen hair emerges. Kenogen frequency and duration are greater in men and women with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Objective: To study the relationship of kenogen with female AGA. Methods: A woman with AGA, studied 14 years before, was re-examined for 2 years by the phototrichogram technique. Kenogen was identified when telogen lasted 3 months and shedding left the follicle empty. Results: Kenogen lasted 1-5 months, the longest duration affecting cycles of vellus hairs, and involved more hair follicles (16 vs. 8%) than in the first observation. Cycles of vellus hairs increased in number from 4 to 13%, and cycles with a normal succession of phases decreased from 60 to 32%. Conclusions: The number of kenogen phases increased in parallel with vellus hairs and the diminished number of normal hair cycles, features that mark AGA aggravation. Kenogen seems to be related also to the progression of female AGA.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Prof. Marcella Guarrera
DiSEM, Section of Dermatology
Viale Benedetto XV, 7
IT-16132 Genova (Italy)
Tel. +39 010 353 8417, Fax +39 010 353 8401, E-Mail guarrera@unige.it

  Article Information

Received: May 21, 2004
Accepted: August 5, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 3
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 10