Skin Microbiota Ameliorates Androgenetic Alopecia by Harmonizing Skin Immuno-Inflammatory Balance
March 2026
in “
Brazilian Journal of Microbiology
”
New to Lactobacillus? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → androgenetic alopecia skin microbiome antibiotic-treated mice antibiotic-free mice hair follicles inflammatory markers Lactobacillus Proteus DHT TLR4/NF-κB pathways bacterial-based therapies AGA skin bacteria antibiotics hair loss inflammation bacteria dihydrotestosterone immune pathways bacteria therapy
Studysummary This study found that restoring the skin microbiome significantly improved hair growth and skin condition in androgenic alopecia model mice by modulating the immune-inflammatory balance, highlighting the potential of bacterial-based therapies for hair loss.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
This study investigated the impact of the skin microbiome on hair growth in androgenic alopecia (AGA) model mice. It found that antibiotic-treated (ABT) mice exhibited sparse hair, thinner skin, and fewer hair follicles compared to antibiotic-free (ABF) mice. However, co-housing ABF and ABT mice improved these conditions, suggesting that the skin bacteriota plays a role in hair growth. The study observed changes in the expression of inflammatory markers and genes related to hair growth, indicating that the skin microbiome influences the immuno-inflammatory balance. The presence of specific bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Proteus, was linked to these effects. The findings suggest that restoring skin bacteriota may help ameliorate DHT-induced hair loss by modulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathways, offering potential for bacterial-based therapies.
