Evaluation of Hair Follicle Counts of Occipital Scalp Biopsies from Male Hair Transplant Patients in Thailand

February 2023 in “ Siriraj Medical Journal/San Sirirat ”

Penvadee Pattanaprichakul, Rattapon Thuangtong, Kanchalit Thanomkitti, Supenya Varothai, Daranporn Triwongwaranat, Panitta Sitthinamsuwan, Suchanan Hanamornroongruang, Kumpol Aiempanakit, Maria Franchesca Quinio

androgenetic alopecia hair transplantation hair follicle terminal hair vellus hair anagen phase telogen phase occipital scalp AGA hair transplant

TLDR Thai males with hair loss have lower hair density in the occipital scalp compared to other Asians.

The study evaluated hair follicle counts from the occipital scalp of 47 Thai males with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) who were candidates for hair transplantation. The average total hair follicle count was 18.6±1.2, with a density of 1.5±0.1 per square millimeter. The terminal-to-vellus hair ratio was 11.1, and the anagen-to-telogen ratio was 91.9:8.1. These findings indicate a lower average hair density compared to other Asian populations and previous studies on Thai normal controls, but higher than those with more advanced AGA. The results suggest a hormonal effect on the occipital scalp in male AGA.

View this study on he02.tci-thaijo.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

8 / 8 results

research Histopathological Evidence of Occipital Involvement in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

3 citations , November 2021 in “Frontiers in Medicine”

Advanced male pattern baldness affects the back of the scalp, reducing hair follicles.

research Hair Diameter Evaluation in Different Regions of the Safe Donor Area in Asian Populations

9 citations , April 2017 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Different areas of the scalp have varying hair thickness, useful for different types of hair transplant needs.

Histopathological Investigation of Clinically Non-Affected Perilesional Scalp in Alopecias Detected Unexpected Spread of Disease Activities

research Histopathological Investigation of Clinically Non-Affected Perilesional Scalp in Alopecias Detected Unexpected Spread of Disease Activities

9 citations , August 2014 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

Scalp areas that look normal in people with hair loss may still show signs of disease under a microscope.

research Hair Counts from Normal Scalp Biopsy in Taiwan

24 citations , September 2012 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

The conclusion is that normal scalp hair counts for Taiwanese people were established, showing age-related differences but not sex or scalp location differences.

research Occipital Involvement in Female Pattern Hair Loss: Histopathological Evidence

20 citations , August 2009 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Occipital scalp affects female hair loss; terminal/vellus ratio helps diagnose androgenetic alopecia.

research Hair Counts in Scalp Biopsy of Males and Females with Androgenetic Alopecia Compared with Normal Subjects

40 citations , June 2009 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

AGA patients have fewer hairs and smaller follicles; T:V ratio above 4:1 may indicate AGA.

research Hair Density in African Americans

129 citations , June 1999 in “Archives of Dermatology”

African Americans have less hair density than whites.

research Diagnostic and Predictive Value of Horizontal Sections of Scalp Biopsy Specimens in Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

309 citations , May 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Horizontal scalp biopsy sections effectively diagnose and predict MPAA, with follicular density and inflammation impacting hair regrowth.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

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 Scalp tension and thickness of the galea aponeurotica, inflammation and potential treatment pathways

in Research/Science 3 years ago

Scalp tension potentially affecting hair loss, and potential treatments for male pattern baldness such as Minoxidil, Finasteride and RU58841. Evidence from a study was discussed which suggests that the cause of MPB lies within the follicle itself and is not dependent on its surrounding environment.

community Some more realistic 15 months fin+min results. No loss, but also basically no growth. HT unfortunately seems like the only option left at this point :/

in Progress Pictures 116 upvotes 1 year ago

User shared 15-month results using finasteride and minoxidil, showing no loss but minimal growth, considering a hair transplant. Replies suggest starting treatment earlier, continuing current treatment, or getting a transplant.

community Almost two years on topical fin and min (and sometimes microneedling). Consistency is key

in Progress Pictures 3 years ago

Using topical fin and minoxidil (as well as potentially microneedling) for hair loss over a two year period, with the user reporting great progress. Additional questions were asked about dosage amounts, haircuts and side effects of these treatments.

community COMPLETE OVERVIEW of the Treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men

28 upvotes 11 years ago

Male androgenetic alopecia is commonly treated with topical minoxidil and oral finasteride, both requiring continuous use. Other options include hair restoration surgery, dutasteride, light therapy, and camouflaging agents.

community Dht kills hair, but no one says why?

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 40 upvotes 3 months ago

DHT affects hair follicles, contributing to hair loss, but the exact mechanism is unclear. Treatments like finasteride and minoxidil are used to manage hair loss, though they may have side effects and varying effectiveness.

Related Research

9 / 9 results

research Variation of Hair Follicle Counts Among Different Scalp Areas: A Quantitative Histopathological Study

11 citations , September 2021 in “Skin Appendage Disorders”

Hair count values should be standardized for each scalp region to evaluate hair disorders in Asians.

research Diseases of the Hair and Scalp in Asians That Are of Interest to Hair Surgeons

2 citations , September 2017

Hair and scalp diseases can affect hair transplant success in Asians, and managing them is crucial.

research Body to Scalp: Evolving Trends in Body Hair Transplantation

22 citations , January 2017 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal”

Body hair transplants can treat baldness but differ from scalp hair and need more research on long-term results and side effects.

research Hair Restoration Surgery: Follicular Unit Grafting

December 2016

Follicular unit grafting is a procedure used to treat hair loss, where small hair grafts are placed into the scalp, with future treatments likely to involve smaller incisions and cell-based therapies.

research Characteristics of Nonbalding Scalp Zones of Androgenetic Alopecia in East Asians

6 citations , December 2014 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Hair density and thickness decrease in all scalp areas for East Asians with AGA.

research Hair Counts from Normal Scalp Biopsy in Taiwan

24 citations , September 2012 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

The conclusion is that normal scalp hair counts for Taiwanese people were established, showing age-related differences but not sex or scalp location differences.

research An Overview of Female Pattern Hair Loss

2 citations , June 2011 in “Expert Review of Dermatology”

Female pattern hair loss involves thinning hair on crown and frontal scalp, diagnosed by hair ratio, and treated with minoxidil, antiandrogens, or hair transplantation.

research Female-Patterned Alopecia in Teenage Brothers with Unusual Histologic Features

6 citations , August 2006 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

Two teenage brothers had a rare, treatment-resistant form of female-pattern hair loss with unusual scalp changes.

research Original Study: Morphometric Analysis of Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia in Koreans

January 2001 in “대한피부과학회지”

Horizontal sectioning helps diagnose hair loss, but Korean follicle differences matter.