Changes in the Sebaceous Gland in Patients with Male Pattern Hair Loss (Androgenic Alopecia)

July 2015 in “ Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology ”

Katsuhiro Kure, Tsukasa Isago, Takeshi Hirayama

sebaceous gland male pattern hair loss androgenic alopecia lobulated follicular unit stem cells AGA DHT catagen phase telogen phase hair follicle dihydrotestosterone

TLDR Sebaceous glands in male pattern hair loss patients have more lobules and might cause early hair growth phase shifts.

This study examined the sebaceous gland in patients with male pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia) and found that while the size of each sebaceous gland was unchanged, they were more lobulated or had more lobules in the follicular unit. The study also revealed that there were still positively stained stem cells in the AGA cases. The sebaceous glands are increased in AGA group with a possibility of more lobulations in comparison with the control group. The study suggests that overpopulated sebaceous glands and increased affinity to DHT in AGA patients might lead to the overgrowth of the sebaceous gland, resulting in early shift to the catagen or telogen phases. The study concludes that more research is needed to determine if pathology in the AGA sebaceous gland leads to pathology in the follicle.

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