Vertex and Occipital Intermediate and Terminal Hair Follicles from Androgenetic Alopecia Patients are Differentially Affected by Testosterone Ex Vivo

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) impacts various skin conditions, including Androgenetic alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis, by causing overactivity in sebaceous glands. Topical medications Tacrolimus and Clobetasol can reduce these inflammatory conditions, and treatments like RU58841, Minoxidil, and Finasteride may also be beneficial.

DHT is essential for androgenetic alopecia, not testosterone. Treatments like finasteride and dutasteride reduce DHT, halting hair loss.

DHT may inhibit hair growth by affecting mitochondrial function, leading to hair follicle miniaturization. Treatments like minoxidil and PP405 may promote hair growth by altering metabolic pathways, potentially counteracting DHT's effects.

Balding scalps have more androgen receptors, leading to increased TGF-beta, which causes blood vessel loss and hair follicle miniaturization. Blocking androgen signaling and TGF-beta may help prevent hair loss.

Androgenetic alopecia is affected by scalp DHT levels, not sensitivity, with treatments like finasteride and dutasteride aiming to optimize these levels. Personalized DHT management is crucial for effective hair growth.

A 25-year-old male experienced significant hair loss due to telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia. He began using finasteride, minoxidil, and vitamins, seeing some regrowth but remains worried about hair density.