Glucocorticoid Effect on Hair Growth Initiation: A Reconsideration
January 1993
in “
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology
”
TLDR Steroids stop hair growth temporarily but don't block the signals that start it.
The study reexamined the effect of topically applied glucocorticosteroids on hair growth using a mouse model. It confirmed that these steroids block hair growth at the anagen initiation stage but do not prevent the induction of hair growth signals. Hair growth resumed once steroid application stopped, indicating that steroids block the expression of hair-forming genes rather than the initiation signals. This suggests that the system could be useful for identifying the signals or genes responsible for initiating hair growth.
