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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Mechanical and Controlled PRP Injections in Patients Affected by Androgenetic Alopecia
Published on: January 27, 2018
Acne is not associated with abnormal plasma androgens
M J Levell1, M L Cawood, B Burke
1Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Leeds, U.K.
Abstract:
Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, androstenedione, testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) have been measured in 64 females and 26 males aged less than 25 years and with acne vulgaris. Oestradiol was measured in the males. Free T and free DHT were calculated. Acne was graded on three sites and the sebum excretion rate (SER) was measured in most patients. With the possible exception of free DHT, none of the plasma steroids or SHBG correlated with acne severity or with SER. Free DHT in the females showed a possible, but weak, correlation with total acne (r = 0.25, P = 0.07), but comparison with male data showed that this was not causative. The role of androgens in acne is permissive and plasma androgen measurements usually have no place in its management.
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