Which hormone can affect hair growth patterns?

Androgens are a group of hormones, including testosterone, that play a significant role in hair growth patterns. These hormones are known to influence the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, which include hair growth in specific areas of the body.

In terms of hair growth, androgens can affect both the rate and pattern of hair development. For instance, they play a critical role in the growth of facial and body hair, often leading to changes in thickness, texture, and distribution. In women, an excess of androgens can lead to conditions like hirsutism, where there is an increased hair growth in areas typically associated with male patterns.

While estrogen and thyroid hormones can also influence hair health, they do so in different ways that are often more related to hair density and overall hair health rather than specific growth patterns. Insulin primarily regulates glucose metabolism and has less direct influence over hair growth compared to androgens.

Understanding the role of androgens is essential for hairstylists and cosmetologists, as they may encounter clients experiencing changes in hair growth due to hormonal fluctuations, which can affect clients’ styling and color services.