Androgen Physiology And The Cutaneous Pilosebaceous Unit

May 2001 in “ PubMed ”

Mary Gail Mercurio, D S Gogstetter

androgen hormones pilosebaceous unit hair follicles sebaceous glands testosterone dihydrotestosterone DHT 5 alpha-reductase androgen receptors hair growth sebum production androgenetic alopecia hirsutism acne androgens 5-alpha reductase sebum male pattern baldness excessive hair growth

TLDR Androgen hormones affect hair growth and oil production, influencing conditions like hair loss and acne.

The document reviewed the role of androgen hormones in cutaneous physiology, particularly focusing on their impact on the pilosebaceous unit, which includes the hair follicle and sebaceous gland. Testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase, and DHT is primarily responsible for binding to androgen receptors and exerting effects on the skin. This process can lead to conditions such as androgenetic alopecia, hirsutism, and acne, which have significant psychosocial effects due to their visible nature and influence on gender perceptions.

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