Alterations in Hair Follicle Dynamics in Women

Abstract

Endocrine changes supervening after parturition and menopause participate in the control of sebum production and hair growth modulation. The ensuing conditions include some peculiar aspects of hair loss (effluvium), alopecia, and facial hirsutism. The hair cycling is of major clinical relevance because most hair growth disorders result from disturbances in this chronobiological feature. Of note, any correlation between a biologic abnormality and hair cycling disturbance does not prove a relationship of causality. The proportion of postmenopausal women is rising in the overall population. Therefore, the prevalence of these hair follicle disturbances is globally on the rise. Current therapies aim at correcting the underlying hormonal imbalances, and at improving the overall cosmetic appearance. However, in absence of pathogenic diagnosis and causality criteria, chances are low that a treatment given by the whims of fate will adequately control hair effluvium. The risk and frequency of therapeutic inertia are further increased. When the hair loss is not controlled and/or compensated by growth of new hairs, several clinical aspects of alopecia inexorably develop. Currently, there is little evidence supporting any specific treatment for these endocrine hair disorders in post-partum and postmenopausal women. Current hair treatment strategies are symptomatic and nonspecific so current researchers aim at developing new, targeted methods.

Effectiveness of Hair Care Products Containing Placental Growth Factor for the Treatment of Postpartum Telogen Effluvium

“…After delivery, the estrogen level returns to normal. This state, characterized by low estrogen levels and excess androgens, promote increased hair shedding and loss, and is known as androgenetic alopecia [3,4].…”

“…The progress of hair loss involves the whole region of the scalp, in which not only is the hair density reduced, but the hair also becomes thinner. In most cases, this condition is known to begin 2 to 5 months after a woman gives birth [2,3]. Because it causes a high level of psychological stress, an increasing number of women are seeking treatment for this condition [4].…”

Alopecia androgénica femenina: nuevos factores fisiopatológicos y futuras tendencias para un abordaje clínico más integral

“…Los ciclos foliculares sucesivos producen cada vez pelos más cortos y de menor diámetro, lo que se traduce en una reducción paulatina del tamaño del cabello hasta volverse inaparente a simple vista en estadios avanzados. Los folículos siguen estando presentes en el cuero cabelludo, pero se encuentran en estado atrófico 1,2 .…”

Promotion Effect of Apo-9′-fucoxanthinone from <i>Sargassum muticum</i> on Hair Growth <i>via</i> the Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin and VEGF-R2

“…41) The reaction were initiated with S. muticum extract (0.1, 1, 10, 100 µg/mL), the solvent fraction of S. muticum extract (0.1, 1, 10 µg/mL) or apo-9′-fucoxanthinone (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 µM) containing reaction buffer [40 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 6.6), 1 mM DTT, 2 mM reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and 120 nCi [1,2,6, H] testosterone]. An independent set of the reaction (n=3) was examined and finasteride (2 nM) was used as a positive control.…”

“…Hair loss (known as alopecia) is currently highlighted as an increasing disorder in both men and women 1,2) with complex causes that cannot be solved easily. The imbalances of hormones such as thyroid, estrogen and androgen, as well as autoimmune diseases, stress, shock, poor nutrition and so on have been known to induce alopecia.…”