Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or male pattern baldness, is a prevalent hair-loss disorder primarily affecting men. The condition is characterized by the progressive miniaturization and atrophy of terminal hair follicles (HFs), often accompanied by associated pathologies such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, and obesity. Despite its high prevalence, the underlying biology of AGA remains poorly understood, hindering the development of effective treatments. This review aims to provide an overview of the functional anatomy of HFs, the cell signaling events involved in follicle cycling, and the molecular mechanisms underlying AGA. It also discusses the pathology of AGA, including the transcriptional differences between balding and non-balding scalp regions, and the genetic risk variants associated with the condition. The authors emphasize the need for a multi-omics approach to fully understand the complex regulatory mechanisms governing HF cycling and to develop more efficient, personalized therapeutic solutions.Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or male pattern baldness, is a prevalent hair-loss disorder primarily affecting men. The condition is characterized by the progressive miniaturization and atrophy of terminal hair follicles (HFs), often accompanied by associated pathologies such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, and obesity. Despite its high prevalence, the underlying biology of AGA remains poorly understood, hindering the development of effective treatments. This review aims to provide an overview of the functional anatomy of HFs, the cell signaling events involved in follicle cycling, and the molecular mechanisms underlying AGA. It also discusses the pathology of AGA, including the transcriptional differences between balding and non-balding scalp regions, and the genetic risk variants associated with the condition. The authors emphasize the need for a multi-omics approach to fully understand the complex regulatory mechanisms governing HF cycling and to develop more efficient, personalized therapeutic solutions.