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.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

11 / 11 results

research Stem Cells and Alopecia: A Review of Pathogenesis

33 citations, April 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Damaged hair follicle stem cells can cause permanent hair loss, but understanding their role could lead to new treatments.

research Sebaceous Gland Loss and Inflammation in Scarring Alopecia: A Potential Role in Pathogenesis

37 citations, June 2011 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Loss of sebaceous glands and inflammation may contribute to the development of scarring alopecia.

Bald Scalp in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Retains Hair Follicle Stem Cells but Lacks CD200-Rich and CD34-Positive Hair Follicle Progenitor Cells

research Bald Scalp in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Retains Hair Follicle Stem Cells but Lacks CD200-Rich and CD34-Positive Hair Follicle Progenitor Cells

235 citations, January 2011 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

Men with baldness due to androgenetic alopecia still have hair stem cells, but lack specific cells needed for hair growth.

Potential Involvement of the Stem Cell Factor Receptor c-kit in Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia: Histopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Semiquantitative Investigations

research Potential Involvement of the Stem Cell Factor Receptor c-kit in Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia: Histopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Semiquantitative Investigations

10 citations, February 2010 in “Acta Histochemica Et Cytochemica”

c-kit affects hair growth and color in alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia.

research Scalp Dermoscopy of Androgenetic Alopecia in Asian People

67 citations, February 2009 in “Journal of Dermatology”

Markers to Evaluate the Quality and Self-Renewing Potential of Engineered Human Skin Substitutes In Vitro and After Transplantation

research Markers to Evaluate the Quality and Self-Renewing Potential of Engineered Human Skin Substitutes In Vitro and After Transplantation

120 citations, August 2008 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Cytokeratin 19 and cytokeratin 15 are key markers for monitoring the quality and self-renewing potential of engineered skin.

research Histopathologic Evaluation of Alopecias

90 citations, June 2006 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology”

The document concludes that accurate diagnosis of different types of hair loss requires careful examination of hair and scalp tissue, considering both clinical and microscopic features.

research Characterization and Isolation of Stem Cell-Enriched Human Hair Follicle Bulge Cells

550 citations, December 2005 in “The Journal of clinical investigation/The journal of clinical investigation”

Researchers successfully isolated and identified key markers of stem cell-enriched human hair follicle bulge cells.

research Hair Follicle Biology, the Sebaceous Gland, and Scarring Alopecias

57 citations, August 1999 in “Archives of dermatology”

Hair follicles grow hair and release it through the skin.

research Fortnightly Review: Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

179 citations, September 1998 in “BMJ”

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

research Increased Androgen Binding Capacity in Sebaceous Glands in Scalp of Male-Pattern Baldness

51 citations, January 1989 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Men with male-pattern baldness have more androgen receptors in their scalp's oil glands, which may contribute to hair loss.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 52 results

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 Solving Hair Loss with Research at MIT

in Research/Science 589 upvotes 1 month ago

Hair loss treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, TDM-105795, and PP405. MIT is hosting a hackathon to find innovative hair loss solutions.

community GT20029 China Phase II Trial For AGA Reached Primary Endpoint

in Research/Science 136 upvotes 7 months ago

The GT20029 tincture, a topical androgen receptor degrader, showed significant hair growth and good safety in a China Phase II trial for male androgenetic alopecia (AGA), with the 1% dose twice weekly identified as optimal. The company plans to initiate Phase III trials in China and Phase II in the U.S., and the treatment also shows promise for acne.

community Boys I am just a gonner. What on earth is my scalp even going through. Looks like world war 3. Pyril 3 months. Topical melitonin/progesterone/fin, dut, fin, oral min, laser trash, anus stimulation. Nothing. Donor area is decimated 😂.

in Progress Pictures 83 upvotes 2 years ago

Treating Seborrheic Dermatitis, a fungal scalp condition which can cause hair loss. Treatments discussed include antifungal shampoos, cold showers, exfoliating the scalp, taking Vitamin D, and stimulating the prostate through the anus.

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 Seb derm is eating my hair?!?!

in Chat 41 upvotes 8 months ago

A 22-year-old male is experiencing hair loss due to seborrheic dermatitis, not male pattern baldness, and is seeking advice. Suggestions include using Nizoral, sulfate-free and ketoconazole shampoos, cutting hair short, using cold water, avoiding picking scabs, and trying selenium sulfide shampoo or finasteride.

Related Research

5 / 5 results

The Action of a Cosmetic Hair Treatment on Follicle Function