The Role of Fibrosis in Androgenetic Alopecia: Mechanisms and Implications

    November 2025 in “ Skin Appendage Disorders ”
    Lubing Li, Yuqi Chen, Minmin Lin, Tongyao Chen, Youxia Xi, Yibin Fan, Xiaoxia Ding, Lubing Li, Yuqi Chen, Minmin Lin, Tongyao Chen, Youxia Xi, Yibin Fan, Xiaoxia Ding
    This document discusses the role of fibrosis in androgenetic alopecia (AGA), highlighting how perifollicular fibrosis contributes to hair-follicle miniaturization and hair loss. It emphasizes the involvement of inflammatory-fibrotic crosstalk, particularly through TGF-β/Smad, Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch pathways, which disrupts communication necessary for hair regeneration. The review suggests that chronic inflammation leads to fibroblast activation and excessive extracellular matrix deposition around hair follicles. It also notes that dermoscopic features, such as perifollicular hyperpigmentation, may indicate fibrotic burden. The document advocates for anti-fibrotic strategies targeting these pathways and suggests that combining these with anti-androgenic and anti-inflammatory treatments could improve outcomes by addressing both hormonal and structural factors. However, it calls for AGA-specific testing of these anti-fibrotic agents.
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      research Supplementary Material For: The Role Of Fibrosis In Androgenetic Alopecia: Mechanisms And Implications

      January 2025
      This document discusses the role of fibrosis in androgenetic alopecia (AGA), highlighting how perifollicular fibrosis contributes to hair-follicle miniaturization and hair loss. It emphasizes the involvement of inflammatory-fibrotic crosstalk, particularly through TGF-β/Smad, Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch pathways, which disrupts communication necessary for hair regeneration. The document reviews evidence linking chronic inflammation to fibrosis around hair follicles and suggests that dermoscopic features like perifollicular hyperpigmentation may indicate fibrotic burden. It also explores anti-fibrotic strategies targeting these pathways and suggests that combining anti-androgenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic treatments could improve outcomes by addressing both hormonal and structural factors. However, the efficacy of these anti-fibrotic agents in AGA requires further testing.

      research Supplementary Material for: The Role of Fibrosis in Androgenetic Alopecia: Mechanisms and Implications

      January 2025
      This document discusses the role of fibrosis in androgenetic alopecia (AGA), highlighting how perifollicular fibrosis contributes to hair-follicle miniaturization and hair loss. It emphasizes the involvement of inflammatory-fibrotic crosstalk, particularly through TGF-β/Smad, Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch pathways, which disrupts communication necessary for hair regeneration. The document reviews evidence linking chronic inflammation to fibrosis around hair follicles and suggests that dermoscopic features like perifollicular hyperpigmentation may indicate fibrotic burden. It also explores anti-fibrotic strategies targeting these pathways and suggests that combining anti-androgenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic treatments could improve outcomes by addressing both hormonal and structural factors. However, the efficacy of these anti-fibrotic agents in AGA requires further testing.