Androgens and Human Hair Growth

    April 1994 in “ Clinical endocrinology
    Valerie A. Randall
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    TLDR Androgens can cause hair growth in some areas and hair loss on the scalp.
    The document discussed the role of androgens in human hair growth, highlighting their dual effects: promoting the transformation of vellus hairs to terminal hairs in areas like the beard and pubic regions during puberty, while causing the regression of terminal hairs to vellus hairs on the scalp, leading to androgenetic alopecia in genetically predisposed individuals. Androgens acted indirectly on hair follicles via the dermal papilla, with seasonal variations in hair growth observed. Studies showed higher levels of androgen receptors in beard and balding scalp cells, indicating a higher sensitivity to androgens. Treatments for androgen-related hair conditions, such as antiandrogens and minoxidil, showed varying degrees of success, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of hair follicle biology to develop more effective therapies.
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