Inflammatory Phenomena and Fibrosis in Androgenetic Alopecia

January 2010 in “ Springer eBooks ”

Ralph M. Trüeb

androgenetic alopecia hair follicle miniaturization hair loss androgen metabolism perifollicular inflammatory phenomena fibrosis connective tissue remodeling male pattern baldness female pattern baldness

TLDR Hair loss in androgenetic alopecia may be due to ongoing tiny inflammation and tissue changes around hair follicles.

In this document, the authors discuss the role of inflammation and fibrosis in androgenetic alopecia, a condition characterized by hair follicle miniaturization and hair loss. They explain that while androgen metabolism plays a significant role in the development of this condition, simply blocking androgens has limited success in treating it. Histologic examination has shown that the miniaturization of hair follicles is often associated with perifollicular inflammatory phenomena and eventual fibrosis. This suggests that sustained microscopic follicular inflammation and connective tissue remodeling may contribute to permanent hair loss in androgenetic alopecia.

View this study on link.springer.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

14 / 14 results

research Molecular Mechanisms of Androgenetic Alopecia

229 citations, August 2002 in “Experimental Gerontology”

AGA causes hair loss by shrinking hair follicles due to DHT binding, and can be treated with finasteride and minoxidil.

research Hair Pain (Trichodynia): Frequency and Relationship to Hair Loss and Patient Gender

48 citations, January 2002 in “Dermatology”

Hair pain is more common in women with hair loss, but it's not linked to the cause or severity of hair loss.

Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth Is Mediated by Adenosine in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells: Possible Involvement of Sulfonylurea Receptor 2B as a Target of Minoxidil

research Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth Is Mediated by Adenosine in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells: Possible Involvement of Sulfonylurea Receptor 2B as a Target of Minoxidil

83 citations, December 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by targeting adenosine and possibly sulfonylurea receptor 2B.

research Incidence of Female Androgenetic Alopecia (Female Pattern Alopecia)

89 citations, January 2001 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Hair loss in women is common, starts in late 20s, and affects 30% of women over 50.

research Androgenetic Alopecia and Microinflammation

131 citations, August 2000 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Inflammation may be linked to hair loss, and targeting specific enzymes could help treat it.

research Fibrosing Alopecia in a Pattern Distribution

158 citations, February 2000 in “Archives of dermatology”

Some people with pattern hair loss may also have scalp inflammation and scarring similar to lichen planopilaris.

research The Biology of Hair Follicles

1113 citations, August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Hair follicle biology advancements may lead to better hair growth disorder treatments.

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 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.

research Postmenopausal Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Frontal Variant of Lichen Planopilaris

329 citations, January 1997 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a hair loss condition in postmenopausal women, similar to lichen planopilaris, with ineffective treatments.

research Androgen Metabolism as It Affects Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

143 citations, October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Too much androgen can cause hair loss; finasteride may help.

research Androgen Induction of Follicular Epithelial Cell Growth Is Mediated via Insulin-like Growth Factor-I from Dermal Papilla Cells

173 citations, July 1995 in “Biochemical and biophysical research communications”

Male hormones promote hair cell growth by using a growth factor from nearby skin cells.

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.

research Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells From Androgen-Dependent Human Hair Follicles Contain More Androgen Receptors Than Those From Non-Balding Areas Of Scalp

124 citations, April 1992 in “Journal of Endocrinology/Journal of endocrinology”

Beard hair follicles have more androgen receptors than non-balding scalp hair follicles.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 3 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 Interesting article links major MPB theories to western diet (and life-style)

in Research/Science 58 upvotes 2 days ago

community Everyone is ignoring that plasma finasteride levels are 100x lower with topical compared to oral.

in Research/Science 127 upvotes 4 months ago

Topical finasteride results in plasma levels 100 times lower than oral finasteride, potentially reducing systemic side effects. Users report similar efficacy with fewer side effects, suggesting a preference for topical application.

community The Real Cause Of Androgenetic Alopecia

in Research/Science 673 upvotes 1 month ago

Androgenetic alopecia is caused by DHT affecting hair growth. Finasteride and minoxidil are used to manage hair loss by blocking DHT and promoting hair growth.

community 57% increased chance of pattern hair loss independently associated with the consumption of sugary beverages in men (p<0.001) Pt 2

in Research/Science 489 upvotes 3 months ago

Sugary beverages increase the risk of pattern hair loss in men by 57%. Treatments discussed include Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.

community My Theory Regarding a Cause and Cure for Androgenetic Alopecia

in Treatment 98 upvotes 4 years ago

Hair loss theory suggests imbalance between Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) and Androgen Receptor (AR) activation. Proposed treatment includes upregulating VDR, downregulating AR, and improving mitochondrial health.

Related Research

3 / 3 results

Treatment of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia and Lichen Planopilaris