Male androgenetic alopecia

Abstract

Male pattern hair loss is the most common cause of balding. The pathogenesis involves androgen, and in particular dihydrotestosterone, binding to androgen receptors in the dermal papilla of sensitive hair follicles. Hair follicle sensitivity is genetically determined and shows regional specificity. Androgen stimulation of scalp dermal papilla cells induces transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B) and results in cyclical miniaturization of the entire hair follicle. The resulting hair produced from that follicle is shorter and finer and provides less complete scalp coverage. In contrast androgen stimulation of beard dermal papilla cells produces insulin growth factor -2 (IGF-2) and results in cyclical enlargement of the entire hair follicle. The resulting hair produced from that follicle is longer and thicker and provides more complete facial skin coverage. Some degree of androgenetic alopecia is universal among ageing men, especially bitemporally, however less than half become bald in the Hippocratic sense. Although scalp hair coverage has little functional importance, it has cosmetic significance. Baldness changes the facial appearance of affected men. When that change is perceived as adverse it has the potential to produce emotional morbidity.

5α-reductase inhibition and hair growth promotion of some Thai plants traditionally used for hair treatment

“…Within the disorder, androgenic alopecia (androgenetic alopecia or AGA) is the most common type of hair loss, which affects large numbers of both men and women (Sinclair, 2004). AGA can occur as early as the teen years, but usually begins in the later years of life.…”

“…AGA is an androgen-dependent and genetically acquired disorder, caused by excessive activity of the 5␣-reductase enzyme in hair follicles (Sawaya, 1998). It is usually observed that the hair follicles of AGA patients are smaller than those in normal adults, which is a direct occurrence of the hair miniaturization process caused by overactivity of dihydrotestosterone (Sinclair, 2004).…”

Skin infections among infants and parental awareness: Is there any relationship?

“…Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or pattern hair loss (PHL) is the most common type of hair loss in men [1][2][3]. Options for management in men include doing nothing and accepting the cosmetic outcome, pharmacotherapy, hair transplantation, and cosmetic aids.…”

“…Systemic 5α-reductase inhibitors e.g. finasteride and dutasteride arrest progression of androgenetic alopecia in over 90% of men and partially reverse it in over 65% [3].…”

“…Pattern hair loss (PHL), or androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or common baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss in men [1][2][3]. It is distinctive due to the pattern of progression of the scalp hair loss.…”