Abstract
Skin ageing and gender influences on the scalp have been seldom studied. We revisited the changes in the interfollicular scalp. The study was performed on a population of 650 volunteers (300 women and 350 men) for over 7 years. Three age groups were selected in both genders, namely, subjects aged 20–35, 50–60, and 60–70 years. The hair status was further considered according to nonalopecic and alopecic patterns and severity (discrete, moderate, and severe). Biopsies from the parietal area were processed for immunohistochemistry. Stromal cells were distinguished according to the presence of vimentin, Factor XIIIa, CD117, and versican. Blood and lymphatic vessels were highlighted by Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 and human podoplanin immunoreactivities, respectively. Actinic elastosis was identified by the lysozyme coating of elastic fibres. The epidermis was explored using the CD44 variant 3 and Ki67 immunolabellings. Biplot analyses were performed. Immunohistochemistry revealed a prominent gender effect in young adults. Both Factor XIIIa+ dermal dendrocytes and the microvasculature size decreased with scalp ageing. Alopecia changes mimicked stress-induced premature senescence.
Highlights
Contrasting with other body regions, the scalp has received little attention regarding changes possibly occurring in its specific structure during life span in both genders
The present study focused on possible variations in the structures of the interfollicular part of the reticular dermis and epidermis according to gender, age, and alopecia status
One strong aspect of the present study lies in the large array of immunohistochemical indicators of skin ageing used in a broad population
Summary
Contrasting with other body regions, the scalp has received little attention regarding changes possibly occurring in its specific structure during life span in both genders. The histopathological aspect of the scalp is quite different from the skin of any other part of the body, but such regional variability is rarely taken into consideration in the overall assessment of skin ageing. This process globally results from the combination of a series of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Little information is available about chronological ageing of the scalp and hair, except when senescent alopecia develops [5, 6]
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