Mechanism of Androgenic Alopecia: Addressing Speculations Through Empirical Evidence

October 2019 in “ Dermatologic Therapy ”

Deepak Upadhyay, Amit Sharma, Ganti Dattatreya Sarma, G. D. Gupta, Vineet Kumar Rai

androgenic alopecia DHT 5-alpha reductase testosterone Finasteride Minoxidil fibrosis calcification hair growth hair loss endocrine factors genetic predisposition AGA Dihydrotestosterone 5AR Propecia Rogaine

TLDR Hair loss in men is mainly caused by hormones and genes, and while current treatments can slow it down, they can't fully stop it.

The 2019 study "Mechanism of Androgenic Alopecia: addressing speculations through empirical evidences" explored the causes of Androgenic Alopecia (AGA), a condition affecting about 50% of males aged 40 to 75 years. The study confirmed that AGA's occurrence depends on endocrine factors and genetic predisposition, with Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) being the main androgen responsible for AGA. Inhibiting 5-alpha reductase (5AR), which converts testosterone to DHT, can improve hair growth and slow hair loss. However, existing treatments, such as Finasteride and Minoxidil, do not completely cure the condition. The study also highlighted the role of fibrosis and calcification in hair loss, with balding skin having only 60% of the total oxygen level in non-balding skin. The researchers concluded that understanding the molecular mechanisms and aetiology of AGA could lead to future targeted treatment strategies.

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