Male pattern hair loss: Can developmental origins explain the pattern?

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Hair Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Male pattern hair loss (MPHL), or androgenetic alopecia (AGA), is the most common form of non-scarring hair loss in men.
• It affects 80% of men, characterized by receding hairlines and thinning at the front, vertex, and crown, while temporal and occipital follicles remain unaffected.
• The visual effect is caused by hair follicle miniaturization, leading to shorter growth phases (anagen) and longer dormant phases (kenogen).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential role of the developmental origin of scalp skin and hair follicle dermis in the distinct pattern of MPHL.
• To provide a viewpoint on the underlying mechanisms contributing to differential follicle susceptibility across the scalp.

Main Methods:

• This is a viewpoint article, not based on experimental data.
• It synthesizes existing knowledge on hair follicle biology and scalp development.
• It proposes a hypothesis regarding developmental origins influencing MPHL patterns.

Main Results:

• Miniaturization of terminal hair follicles results in thinner, shorter hair fibers (vellus hairs).
• The specific pattern of MPHL, with susceptibility in frontal regions and resistance in occipital regions, remains incompletely understood.
• The developmental origin of scalp dermis is proposed as a significant, yet under-explored, factor.

Conclusions:

• The differential susceptibility of hair follicles in MPHL may be linked to their developmental origins and the resulting characteristics of the scalp dermis.
• Further research into the developmental biology of scalp regions is warranted to fully elucidate the mechanisms of MPHL.
• Understanding these origins could offer new perspectives for managing male androgenetic alopecia.