TLDR Hair follicles are thinner in alopecia patients, especially in alopecia areata.
The study investigated the structural components of pilosebaceous follicles in 191 patients with non-cicatricial alopecia compared to 20 control patients. It found that hair follicles in alopecia patients were thinner, particularly in cases of alopecia areata. The external root sheath was consistently thinner across all hair loss groups, with the most significant thinning in alopecia areata and telogen effluvium. The internal root sheath was notably thinner in diffuse telogen effluvium and alopecia areata but not in androgenetic alopecia. In non-alopecia patients, significant changes in follicle thickness occurred at the transition from the reticular dermis to the sebaceous gland, whereas in alopecia patients, thinning began in the subcutaneous fat tissue.
March 2025 in “Meditsinskiy sovet = Medical Council” Diffuse telogen alopecia is temporary hair loss treated by addressing the root cause and improving scalp health.
January 2025 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment” Combining low-level laser therapy with minoxidil doesn't improve hair loss treatment compared to using minoxidil alone.
March 2023 in “Медицинский совет” Minoxidil works better for hair regrowth if you have higher SULT1A1 enzyme activity and ATP concentration.
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November 1998 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology” Accurate diagnosis is key for treating different kinds of hair loss, and immune response variations may affect the condition and treatment results.
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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.
47 citations
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December 2020 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” The document concludes that understanding and treating hair loss requires recognizing its various types and using appropriate diagnostic tools and treatments.
January 2025 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia” Male pattern baldness worsens with age and can be treated with medications like minoxidil and finasteride, but side effects and personalized care are important.
Accurate diagnosis of cicatricial alopecias requires thorough scalp examination and multiple biopsy techniques.
