Male Androgenetic Alopecia

December 2004 in “ The Journal of Men's Health & Gender ”

Rodney Sinclair

androgenetic alopecia male pattern baldness androgen dihydrotestosterone DHT androgen receptors dermal papilla hair follicles 5a-reductase follicular miniaturisation inflammation

TLDR Male pattern baldness involves hormone-related hair thinning, shorter hair, and inflammation.

This document from 18 years ago discusses male androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, which is the most common cause of hair loss in men. The pathogenesis involves androgen, and in particular dihydrotestosterone, binding to androgen receptors in the dermal papilla of sensitive hair follicles. The resulting hair produced from that follicle is shorter and finer and provides less complete scalp coverage. The article explores the role of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in hair loss and the varying levels of DHT production in different hair follicles. The article also discusses the self-regulation of hair follicles in response to androgens, which leads to the quantifiable difference in androgen receptor numbers and 5a-reductase activity observed between balding and non-balding areas of the scalp. The article concludes that the three key features of androgenetic alopecia pathogenesis are alteration of hair cycle dynamics, follicular miniaturisation, and inflammation.

View this study on liebertpub.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

18 / 18 results

research Perception of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia by Women and Nonbalding Men in Korea: How the Nonbald Regard the Bald

26 citations, December 2002 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Balding men seen as older, less attractive, and less confident.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Pathogenesis and Potential for Therapy

174 citations, November 2002 in “Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine”

Hair loss needs more research for better treatments.

research Cutaneous Androgen Metabolism: Basic Research And Clinical Perspectives

233 citations, November 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Creating stronger blockers for skin enzymes might lead to better treatment for conditions like acne and excessive hair growth.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Analysis of Proliferation and Apoptosis

12 citations, August 2002 in “Archives of Dermatology”

research Possible Mechanisms of Miniaturization During Androgenetic Alopecia or Pattern Hair Loss

116 citations, September 2001 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss occurs due to fewer papillary cells, smaller follicles, and shorter growth phases.

research The Genetics of Androgenetic Alopecia

50 citations, March 2001 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

Genes and hormones cause hair loss, with four genes contributing equally.

research Immunohistochemical Localization of Types 1 and 2 5α-Reductase in Human Scalp

100 citations, September 1999 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

The study found that two enzymes linked to hair loss are located in different parts of the scalp, supporting a common treatment's effectiveness.

research Serum Androgens and Genetic Linkage Analysis in Early Onset Androgenetic Alopecia

32 citations, August 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Early onset hair loss linked to genetics and androgen levels.

research Androgen-Dependent Beard Dermal Papilla Cells Secrete Autocrine Growth Factors in Response to Testosterone Unlike Scalp Cells

51 citations, November 1998 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Beard cells, unlike scalp cells, produce growth factors in response to testosterone, which may explain differences in hair growth.

research Fortnightly Review: Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

179 citations, September 1998 in “BMJ”

Hair loss in men is common, treatable, but not curable.

research Quality of Life Issues in Male Pattern Hair Loss

25 citations, January 1998 in “Dermatology”

Male pattern hair loss negatively affects quality of life, but drug treatments can help.

Increased Scalp Skin and Serum 5a-Reductase Reduced Androgens in a Man Relevant to the Acquired Progressive Kinky Hair Disorder and Developing Androgenetic Alopecia

research Increased Scalp Skin and Serum 5a-Reductase Reduced Androgens in a Man Relevant to the Acquired Progressive Kinky Hair Disorder and Developing Androgenetic Alopecia

11 citations, September 1997 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Reduced androgens linked to kinky hair disorder and hair loss; 5a-reductase inhibitors may help.

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 The Use of Dermal Papilla Cells in Studies of Normal and Abnormal Hair Follicle Biology

19 citations, October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Dermal papilla cells are key for hair growth and could help us understand and treat hair loss.

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 The Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

192 citations, June 1992 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss can cause low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression in men.

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 What else is good. Besides the big 3.

in Chat 36 upvotes 1 month ago

Key treatments for hair preservation include minoxidil, finasteride/dutasteride, and microneedling, with additional options like specific shampoos, oils, biotin, zinc, tretinoin, clascoterone, and low-level laser therapy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, reducing stress, and addressing nutrient deficiencies can also support hair health.

community Does finasteride/dutasteride reverse aging?

in Chat 45 upvotes 1 month ago

Finasteride and dutasteride can improve skin texture and reduce acne by lowering DHT but do not reverse aging. They may enhance skin and hair health for some, but can also cause side effects like dry skin and sexual dysfunction.

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

in Chat 158 upvotes 7 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 DHT Itch is real. The connection between Acne and Male Pattern Baldness shows this

in Research/Science 64 upvotes 1 year ago

The conversation discusses the link between seborrheic dermatitis, acne, and male pattern baldness, suggesting that DHT may cause both skin conditions and hair loss. Treatments mentioned include RU58841, finasteride, dutasteride, minoxidil, Nizoral shampoo, and other topical anti-androgens.

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.

Similar Research

6 / 1000+ results

research Does Propecia Cause More Harm Than Good: Assessing Reproductive and Non-Reproductive Effects of Finasteride on Male Health

June 2024 in “Georgetown medical review”

Finasteride treats hair loss but may cause low libido, erectile issues, and depression.

Body Composition Changes and Inhibition of Fat Development In Vivo Implicate Androgen in Regulation of Stem Cell Lineage Allocation

research Body Composition Changes and Inhibition of Fat Development In Vivo Implicate Androgen in Regulation of Stem Cell Lineage Allocation

37 citations, June 2011 in “Journal of Cellular Biochemistry”

Androgen is important in controlling stem cell differentiation, reducing fat development, and increasing lean mass.

research Androgenetic, Diffuse, and Senescent Alopecia in Men: Practical Evaluation and Management

11 citations, January 2015 in “Current problems in dermatology”

The conclusion is that treatments like finasteride and minoxidil can prevent baldness progression and improve hair density, but more research is needed on other therapies.

research The Extract of Thuja Occidentalis Semen Inhibited 5α-Reductase and Androgenetic Alopecia in B6CBAF1/J Hybrid Mice

47 citations, April 2003 in “Journal of dermatological science”

Thujae occidentalis semen extract may help treat male pattern baldness by blocking a hair loss-related enzyme and reducing hair loss in mice.

research Antiandrogens and Androgen Inhibitors in Dermatologic Treatments

November 2020 in “Elsevier eBooks”

Antiandrogens and androgen inhibitors like spironolactone, finasteride, and dutasteride can treat hair loss and skin conditions, but they have risks and side effects, including potential harm to pregnant women and risks of cancer and heart issues. Herbal remedies also have antiandrogenic effects but lack safety validation.

Polygonum Multiflorum Extract Supports Hair Growth by Elongating Anagen Phase and Abrogating the Effect of Androgen in Cultured Human Dermal Papilla Cells

research Polygonum Multiflorum Extract Supports Hair Growth by Elongating Anagen Phase and Abrogating the Effect of Androgen in Cultured Human Dermal Papilla Cells

15 citations, May 2020 in “BMC complementary medicine and therapies”

Polygonum multiflorum extract helps hair grow longer and fights the effects of hormones that cause hair loss.