The Genetics of Androgenetic Alopecia

March 2001 in “ Clinics in Dermatology ”

Justine A. Ellis, Stephen B. Harrap

TLDR Genes and hormones cause hair loss, with four genes contributing equally.

Androgenetic alopecia is a genetic and hormonal type of hair loss that affects specific areas of the scalp and causes hair follicles to produce short, fine hairs. The exact role of androgens in this process is not completely understood. The condition is caused by multiple genes, with each of four genes contributing 25% towards predisposition. The mode of inheritance is polygenic and follows a normal curve. The androgen receptor gene is increased in balding scalp, but its location on the X chromosome does not explain father-to-son transmission. A decrease in the enzyme aromatase may result in an increased level of testosterone available for conversion to DHT. The gene encoding aromatase (CYP19) is worth investigating. Minoxidil is a treatment that regulates VEGF. Studying the genetic basis of androgenetic alopecia may lead to better treatments.

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Research cited in this study

10 / 10 results

research Polymorphism of the Androgen Receptor Gene Is Associated with Male Pattern Baldness

299 citations , March 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

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Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.

research Fortnightly Review: Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

179 citations , September 1998 in “BMJ”

Hair loss in men is common, treatable, but not curable.

research Genetic Analysis of Male Pattern Baldness and the 5α-Reductase Genes

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research Minoxidil Upregulates the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

192 citations , March 1998 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts growth factor in hair cells, potentially promoting hair growth.

Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

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416 citations , September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.

research An Estrogen Receptor Pathway Regulates the Telogen-Anagen Hair Follicle Transition and Influences Epidermal Cell Proliferation

154 citations , October 1996 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America”

Estrogen affects hair growth and skin cell multiplication.

research Human Hair Growth In Vitro: A Model for the Study of Hair Follicle Biology

133 citations , July 1994 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Human hair growth can be influenced by certain growth factors and has specific metabolic needs.

research Human Hair Growth In Vitro

385 citations , November 1990 in “Journal of Cell Science”

Human hair follicles can grow in a lab setting.

research The Inheritance Of Common Baldness: To Be Or Not To Be?

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Common baldness is likely inherited through multiple genes, not just one.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Finasteride doesn't work for me in 2 years and my bloodtest result just came in.

in Progress Pictures 88 upvotes 2 years ago

A user has been treating hair loss with finasteride for two years without success and is experiencing an itchy scalp with seborrhea. Despite low DHT levels, they are still losing hair, suggesting that DHT might not be the main cause of their hair loss, and they are considering other treatments or causes.

community Why do we have head hair in first place if we evolved to start losing it in some cases as soon as puberty hits

in Chat 140 upvotes 1 month ago

Hair loss is influenced by genetics and sensitivity to hormones like DHT. Treatments like Minoxidil and finasteride are commonly used, and baldness persists as it doesn't affect reproductive success.

community Why is nobody studying the difference between donor and balding hair?

in Chat 89 upvotes 1 year ago

The conversation discusses why the difference between donor and balding hair isn't studied more to find a cure for hair loss. Treatments mentioned include Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.

community Chromosome 20’s balding effects and why fin likely isn’t working for some.

in Treatment 96 upvotes 2 months ago

Finasteride is effective for DHT/AR-driven hair loss but not for chromosome 20-driven cases, where treatments like minoxidil, prostaglandin analogs, and low-level laser therapy may be more beneficial. Genetic testing can help determine the underlying cause of hair loss to tailor treatment effectively.

community If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

in Research 830 upvotes 1 year ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community I find it funny a bunch of us on here are on drugs for hairloss and maintain clean/healthy lives and then there’s these mf’s in the 90’s juiced to the gills with steroids and have better hair than all of us lol

in Satire 353 upvotes 2 years ago

The conversation is about the effects of steroids on hair loss. Some users believe that steroids can cause hair loss, while others argue that it depends on individual sensitivity to DHT. There is also discussion about the appearance of balding individuals who use steroids.

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