The Skin Microenvironment: A Dynamic Regulator of Hair Follicle Development, Cycling, and Disease

September 2025 in “ Biomolecules ”

Weiguo Song, Miaoru Peng, Qiqi Ma, Xiaoyu Han, Chunyan Gao, Wenqi Zhang, Dongjun Liu

hair follicle follicle miniaturization skin microenvironment intrinsic follicle signaling follicular microenvironment signaling molecules metabolic changes

TLDR The skin microenvironment significantly affects hair growth and loss, offering potential treatment avenues.

The document reviews the role of the skin microenvironment in hair follicle development, cycling, and disease, emphasizing its influence on follicle miniaturization and hair loss. It highlights the importance of both intrinsic follicle signaling and the remodeling of the follicular microenvironment due to changes in the skin. The review discusses the roles of various cells, tissues, signaling molecules, and metabolic changes in this context. It also explores potential treatments for hair-related diseases through manipulation of the skin microenvironment, addresses current research challenges, and suggests future research directions to better understand the skin microenvironment's regulatory role in hair follicle development.

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