Can hair follicles get blocked on the scalp? And if they do, can we unblock them to reverse baldness? This is one of the most persistent myths around hair loss.
In this article based on his educational video, Dr. John Watts — dermatologist, trichologist and hair transplant surgeon in Hyderabad who has performed over 2,000 hair transplant surgeries — answers a viewer question from Tirupathi Rao Battula and sets the record straight.
The myth of blocked follicles
Baldness is surrounded by many myths, and one of the most common is the idea that follicles get blocked and can be reopened to reverse hair loss. Dr. Watts debunks this clearly: baldness does not occur due to blocked hair follicles.
Understanding the hair cycle
To understand what really happens, Dr. Watts explains the hair cycle, which consists of three stages: the Anagen, Telogen and Catagen phases.
The Anagen phase is the active growth period, the Telogen phase is the resting phase, and the Catagen phase is when the hair falls out. Baldness typically occurs when the Anagen phase becomes shorter, leading to the miniaturisation of hair follicles.
What baldness actually looks like
In reality, baldness shows up as hair becoming shorter and finer over time due to miniaturisation, eventually reaching a point where it becomes almost invisible to the naked eye.
Additionally, the loss of black pigment in the hair causes a colour change — the hair often appears brownish or golden — while the scalp becomes more visible and shinier due to light reflection. So what looks like a "blocked" or empty scalp is actually follicles that have shrunk.
Can the process be reversed?
Dr. Watts explains that this miniaturisation process cannot be reversed. However, measures can be taken to delay the progression of baldness, such as using hair medications or undergoing a hair transplant procedure.
For those with established baldness, he suggests hair transplant surgery as a potential solution, where safe donor hair grafts are harvested from the back of the scalp and transplanted to cover the bald areas.
The bottom line
Baldness is not caused by blocked follicles, and there is no technique to "unblock" them. It is caused by a shortening Anagen phase and follicle miniaturisation. While the process cannot be reversed, it can be slowed with medication, and established bald areas can be covered with a hair transplant. Understanding the real cause helps you make informed decisions instead of chasing myths.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a qualified dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Do blocked hair follicles cause baldness?
No. This is a myth. Baldness occurs when the Anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle becomes shorter, causing hair follicles to miniaturise — not because follicles get blocked.
What are the three stages of the hair cycle?
The Anagen phase (active growth), the Telogen phase (resting) and the Catagen phase (when the hair falls out).
Why does a balding scalp look shiny?
As follicles miniaturise, hair becomes shorter, finer and loses its black pigment, appearing brownish or golden. The scalp becomes more visible and shinier due to light reflection.
Can baldness be reversed?
The miniaturisation process cannot be reversed, but its progression can be delayed with hair medications, and bald areas can be covered through a hair transplant using donor grafts from the back of the scalp.
