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

Studysummary This review discusses the role of androgen metabolism and perifollicular inflammation in the progression of androgenetic alopecia and reports no new clinical results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

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.

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