Acquired Progressive Kinking of Hair
August 1985
in “
Archives of Dermatology
”
Studysummary This study suggests that acquired progressive kinking of hair, which typically appears at or after puberty, may be androgen dependent and could progress to male pattern baldness.
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The document described six cases of Acquired Progressive Kinking of Hair (APKH), where patients developed coarse, wiry hair similar to pubic hair, mainly in the frontal, temporal, and vertex scalp regions. The condition seems to be androgen-dependent and may lead to male pattern baldness. Among the cases, four were classic examples, and two met the diagnostic criteria, including one female. The study indicated that APKH might be an early sign of androgenic alopecia, with the kinky hair being a response to androgens affecting hair growth dynamics. Unlike woolly hair, APKH starts at or after puberty and has a specific pattern of hair distribution. No structural defects were found in the hair or follicle, suggesting the changes are due to growth dynamics. The document concluded that APKH is likely an early indicator of androgenic alopecia.
