TLDR Balding hair follicle cells are smaller, grow less well, and need more effort to culture than non-balding cells.
This study compared the culture and growth of dermal papilla cells from hair follicles from non-balding and balding (androgenetic alopecia) scalp. The researchers found that dermal papilla cells from balding follicles were smaller and grew less well than non-balding ones. Supplementing the medium with human serum increased the yield of established cultures and the number and health of the dermal papilla cells produced. Balding dermal papilla cells can be cultured, though with much greater difficulty than non-balding ones, and exhibit differing growth characteristics to non-balding cells, they merit further investigation which may increase our understanding of, and ability to control, androgenetic alopecia.
157 citations,
April 1994 in “Clinical endocrinology” Androgens can cause hair growth in some areas and hair loss on the scalp.
34 citations,
July 1993 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Human hair growth is influenced by androgen hormones, and red deer mane follicles have similar hormone receptors.
124 citations,
April 1992 in “Journal of Endocrinology/Journal of endocrinology” Beard hair follicles have more androgen receptors than non-balding scalp hair follicles.
68 citations,
December 1991 in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences” Hair growth can be induced by certain cells found at the base of hair follicles, and these cells may also influence hair development and regeneration.
71 citations,
May 1991 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Young men with male pattern baldness lose hair density over time without treatment.
1 citations,
January 2019 in “Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering” CGF from platelets helps hair regrowth in people with androgenetic alopecia.
15 citations,
July 2017 in “PubMed” Injecting a mix of human skin and hair cells into mice can grow new hair.
January 2011 in “Medical Journal of National Defending Forces in Northwest China” January 2010 in “International Journal of Dermatology and Venereology” Dermal papilla cells play a key role in hair loss by responding to androgens.
January 2009 in “Chinese Journal of Aesthetic Medicine” 17 citations,
December 2004 in “The Journal of Men's Health & Gender” Male pattern baldness involves hormone-related hair thinning, shorter hair, and inflammation.
57 citations,
November 1998 in “Wound Repair and Regeneration” Hair papilla cells can create and regenerate hair bulbs under the right conditions.