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

5 / 5 results

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

581 citations, October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

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 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

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

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.

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 1 year 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 is nobody studying the difference between donor and balding hair?

in Chat 89 upvotes 6 months 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 Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 4 months 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 1 year 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.

community Why is it that low testosterone causes hair loss as well? How can I be balding?

in Chat 158 upvotes 8 months ago

The conversation discusses the confusion over low testosterone potentially causing hair loss, with users sharing personal experiences and knowledge about hair loss treatments like Finasteride. Some users suggest that hair follicle sensitivity to DHT, not testosterone levels, is the key factor in balding, and others discuss the side effects of hair loss medications.

community Dutasteride SAVES your hair follicles: MAJOR BS on people who say it destroyed their hair permanently.

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 160 upvotes 1 year ago

The conversation discusses the effectiveness of hair loss treatments, specifically finasteride and dutasteride. The conclusion is that dutasteride significantly reduces DHT levels and may be more effective than finasteride for long-term hair retention, with some users reporting personal experiences and side effects.

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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

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