Alfredo Rebora1, Marcella Guarrera. 1. Department of Endocrinological and Metabolic Diseases, Section of Dermatology, University of Genoa, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A novel phenomenon has been described by the phototrichogram: the emptiness of the follicle after teloptosis. We called this phenomenon kenogen, from the Greek kappaepsilonnuóvarsigma, 'empty'. OBJECTIVE: To describe the kenogen phase in its details. METHODS: Analysis of the existing literature. RESULTS: The original observation in 2 women was confirmed in 10 balding and non-balding males studied for 14 years in whom kenogen lasted about 4 months increasing up to about 7 months and affecting 80% of all hair cycles. In 2 women with progressing androgenetic alopecia studied for 2 years, kenogen involved 22% of the hair follicles, lasting from 3 months to 1 year. In a prepubertal boy studied for 1 year, it involved 8% of hairs and lasted about 2 months. CONCLUSION: During kenogen, the hair follicle rests physiologically, but duration and frequency are greater in androgenetic alopecia, possibly accounting for baldness. In addition to the classical cycle, the hair follicle may follow an alternative route during which the telogen phase, not accompanied by a coincident new early anagen, ends with teloptosis leaving the follicle empty. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel
BACKGROUND: A novel phenomenon has been described by the phototrichogram: the emptiness of the follicle after teloptosis. We called this phenomenon kenogen, from the Greek kappaepsilonnuóvarsigma, 'empty'. OBJECTIVE: To describe the kenogen phase in its details. METHODS: Analysis of the existing literature. RESULTS: The original observation in 2 women was confirmed in 10 balding and non-balding males studied for 14 years in whom kenogen lasted about 4 months increasing up to about 7 months and affecting 80% of all hair cycles. In 2 women with progressing androgenetic alopecia studied for 2 years, kenogen involved 22% of the hair follicles, lasting from 3 months to 1 year. In a prepubertal boy studied for 1 year, it involved 8% of hairs and lasted about 2 months. CONCLUSION: During kenogen, the hair follicle rests physiologically, but duration and frequency are greater in androgenetic alopecia, possibly accounting for baldness. In addition to the classical cycle, the hair follicle may follow an alternative route during which the telogen phase, not accompanied by a coincident new early anagen, ends with teloptosis leaving the follicle empty. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel
Authors: María Abril Martínez-Velasco; Norma Elizabeth Vázquez-Herrera; Austin John Maddy; Daniel Asz-Sigall; Antonella Tosti Journal: Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) Date: 2017-02-20
Authors: Ji Won Oh; Jennifer Kloepper; Ewan A Langan; Yongsoo Kim; Joongyeub Yeo; Min Ji Kim; Tsai-Ching Hsi; Christian Rose; Ghil Suk Yoon; Seok-Jong Lee; John Seykora; Jung Chul Kim; Young Kwan Sung; Moonkyu Kim; Ralf Paus; Maksim V Plikus Journal: J Invest Dermatol Date: 2016-01 Impact factor: 8.551