Androgenetic Alopecia Research Articles

Androgenetic Alopecia: A Study on The Efficacy of a Combined Protocol of Blue Light Photobiomodulation and Subcutaneous Infiltrations of Biomimetic Peptides

Androgenetic Alopecia: A Study on The Efficacy of a Combined Protocol of Blue Light Photobiomodulation and Subcutaneous Infiltrations of Biomimetic Peptides

Effects of RF Electric Currents on Hair Follicle Growth and Differentiation: A Possible Treatment for Alopecia.

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of alopecia and its treatments involve drugs that have various adverse effects and are not completely effective. Radiofrequency-based therapies (RF) are an alternative for AGA treatment. Although there is increasing clinical evidence of the effectiveness of RF for alopecia, its effects at the tissue and cellular level have not been studied in detail. The objective of this study was to analyze ex vivo the potential effect of RF currents used in capacitive resistive electrical transfer (CRET) therapy on AGA. Hair follicles (HFs) were donated by patients with AGA and treated with CRET. AGA-HFs were exposed in vitro to intermittent 448 kHz electric current in subthermal conditions. Cell proliferation (Ki67), apoptosis (TUNEL assay), differentiation (β-catenin), integrity (collagen and MMP9), thickness of the epidermis surrounding HF, proportion of bulge cells and melanoblasts in AGA-HF were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. CRET increased proliferation and decreased death of different populations of AGA-HF cells. In addition, the melanoblasts increased in bulge and the epidermis surrounding the hair follicle thickened. These results support the effectiveness of RF-based therapies for the treatment of alopecia. However, clinical trials are necessary to know the true effectiveness of CRET therapy and other RF therapies for AGA treatment.

Effects of Biomaterials Derived from Germinated Hemp Seeds on Stressed Hair Stem Cells and Immune Cells.

Androgenetic alopecia is a genetic disorder that commonly causes progressive hair loss in men, leading to diminished self-esteem. Although cannabinoids extracted from Cannabis sativa are used in hair loss treatments, no study has evaluated the effects of germinated hemp seed extract (GHSE) and exosomes derived from the calli of germinated hemp seeds on alopecia. Therefore, this study aimed to demonstrate their preventive effects against alopecia using various methodologies, including quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, ELISA, and immunocytochemistry. Our research highlights the preventive functions of GHSE (GE2000: 2000 µg/mL) and exosomes from the calli of germinated hemp seeds (E40: 40 μg/mL) in three biochemical categories: genetic modulation in hair follicle dermal papilla stem cells (HFDPSCs), cellular differentiation, and immune system modulation. Upon exposure to dihydrotestosterone (DT), both biomaterials upregulated genes preventing alopecia (Wnt, β-catenin, and TCF) in HFDPSCs and suppressed genes activating alopecia (STAT1, 5α-reductase type 1, IL-15R). Additionally, they suppressed alopecia-related genes (NKG2DL, IL2-Rβ, JAK1, STAT1) in CD8+ T cells. Notably, E40 exhibited more pronounced effects compared to GE2000. Consequently, both E40 and GE2000 effectively mitigated DT-induced stress, activating mechanisms promoting hair formation. Given the limited research on alopecia using these materials, their pharmaceutical development promises significant economic and health benefits.

Progress of clinical research on fractional laser treatment of androgenetic alopecia: A review article.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a prevalent form of hair loss that affects both men and women, severely impacting patients' quality of life. Traditional treatments include oral medications, topical medications, and hair transplantation, but these methods have certain side effects and limitations. How to safely effectively and maximally promote hair growth has been a key issue in the treatment of AGA. In recent years, fractionated laser therapy, as a noninvasive method, has gradually gained attention due to its minimally invasive and highly effective nature. In this paper, we summarized the studies related to fractional laser treatment of AGA in the past 15 years, and discussed its therapeutic mechanism, clinical effect, future development direction, and advantages and disadvantages compared with traditional treatment methods in the treatment of AGA. An extensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus. All available articles studying fractional laser treatment of AGA were compiled in March 2024. Titles and abstracts were then screened for relevance and thoroughly examined for patient clinical outcomes. Prospective clinical trials, retrospective chart reviews, case series, and individual case reports were included in the literature review. Fractional laser treatment of AGA showed remarkable efficacy and high safety. Compared with traditional treatments, fractional laser has the advantages of minimally invasive, quick recovery, fewer side effects, and a wide range of population applicability, providing an effective treatment option for AGA patients. Further large-scale clinical studies will help optimize the laser parameters and treatment settings to improve the therapeutic effect.

Is autologous platelet-rich plasma capable of increasing hair density in patients with androgenic alopecia? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

FundamentalsPlatelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been progressively more used in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). ObjectivesThe authors aimed to evaluate PRP efficacy compared to placebo in AGA. MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted across seven databases, until 01/04/2023. Randomized clinical trials focusing on AGA and PRP use to increase hair density were included. Patients aged between 15 and 63 years, diagnosed with AGA characterized by Norwood I‒VII and Ludwig I‒III scales, were included. Studies with a sample size <10, lacking PRP processing method, focusing on complementary therapies or other alopecias, were excluded. The authors conducted subgroup analysis for activator, spin method, study design, risk of bias, and gender. Meta-regression was conducted for activator, spin method, design, and gender. The authors used GRADEpro to assess evidence certainty and the RoB-2 tool for risk of bias. Asymmetry was measured through a Funnel plot followed by Egger’s test. The protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42023407334). ResultsThe authors screened 555 registers and included fourteen studies involving 431 patients for qualitative synthesis, with 13 studies included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis demonstrated a mean difference of 27.55 hairs/cm2 and 95% CI (14.04; 41.06), I2 = 95.99%, p < 0.05. Hair diameter meta-analysis presented a mean difference of 2.02 μm, 95% CI (−0.85 μm; 4.88 μm), and I2 = 77.11% (p = 0.02). That is, low quality evidence. Study limitationsStudies were highly heterogeneous, of low quality, and presented evident publication bias. ConclusionsHighly heterogeneous studies with publication bias suggest PRP effectively increases hair density in AGA, so further high-quality randomized clinical trials are recommended to strengthen the evidence.

Mechanism and clinical efficacy of peripheral blood alive cell treatment on androgenic alopecia.

Mechanism and clinical efficacy of peripheral blood alive cell treatment on androgenic alopecia.

Engineered Exosomes Biopotentiated Hydrogel Promote Hair Follicle Growth via Reprogramming the Perifollicular Microenvironment.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a highly prevalent condition in contemporary society. The conventional treatment of minoxidil tincture is hindered by issues such as skin irritation caused by ethanol, non-specific accumulation in hair follicles, and short retention due to its liquid form. Herein, we have developed a novel minoxidil-incorporated engineered exosomes biopotentiated hydrogel (Gel@MNs) that has the capability to modulate the perifollicular microenvironment for the treatment of AGA. Leveraging the exceptional skin penetration abilities of flexible liposomes and the targeting properties of exosomes, the encapsulated minoxidil can be effectively delivered to the hair follicles. In comparison to free minoxidil, Gel@MNs demonstrated accelerated hair regeneration in an AGA mouse model without causing significant skin irritation. This was evidenced by an increase in both the number and size of hair follicles within the dermal layer, enhanced capillary formation surrounding the follicles, and the regulation of the transition of hair follicle cells from the telogen phase to the anagen growth phase. Therefore, this safe and microenvironment-modifying hybrid exosome-embedded hydrogel shows promising potential for clinical treatment of AGA.

Therapeutic effect of Nepenthes kampotiana Lecomte ethanol extract (Nk-EE) on androgenic alopecia through the inhibition of apoptosis and 5α-reductase activity

There is increasing interest in hair loss treatment because a growing number of people affected. Nepenthes kampotiana Lecomte is known for its anticancer effects, but its potential for preventing hair loss has not been researched. Therefore, this study focused on the hair loss prevention effects of N. kampotiana Lecomte ethanol extract (Nk-EE). The results showed that Nk-EE had a proliferative effect on human follicle dermal papilla cells and inhibited cell death. In vivo experiments using androgenic areata models showed that Nk-EE had a positive effect on a variety of biomarkers such as hair-to-skin ratio, hair type frequency, and hair thickness. The results of this study suggest that Nk-EE has potential as an effective treatment for androgenic alopecia.

Pilose antler extracts promotes hair growth in androgenetic alopecia mice by activating hair follicle stem cells via the AKT and Wnt pathways.

Background: Angrogenetic alopecia (AGA) is one of the most prevalent hair loss disorders worldwide. The hair follicle stem cell (HFSC) is closely related to the formation of hair follicle (HF) structure and HF self-renewal. The activation of HFSC in AGA is critical for hair growth. Pilose antler has been reported to have hair growth-promoting activity, but the mechanism of action on AGA and HFSC has not been reported. Methods: We previously extracted an active component from the pilose antler known as PAEs. In this study, we conducted experiments using AGA mice and HFSC. The effects of PAEs on hair growth in AGA mice were firstly detected, and then the mechanisms of PAEs for AGA were predicted by integrating network pharmacology and de novo transcriptomics data of pilose antler. Finally, biological experiments were used to validate the molecular mechanism of PAEs in treating AGA both in vivo and in vitro. Results: It was found that PAEs promoted hair regrowth by accelerating the activation of anagen, delaying the anagen-catagen transition. It also alleviated the morphological changes, such as hair shortening, thinning, miniaturization, and HF number reduction, and regulated the hair regeneration process of four subtypes of hair. We further found that PAEs could promote the proliferation of HFSC, outer root sheath (ORS) cells, and hair bulb cells in AGA mice. We then integrated network pharmacology and pilose antler transcriptomics data to predict that the mechanism of PAEs treatment in AGA mice is closely related to the PI3K-AKT/Wnt-β-Catenin pathways. Subsequently, it was also verified that PAEs could activate both pathways in the skin of AGA mice. In addition, we found that PAEs perhaps increased the number of blood vessels around dermal papilla (DP) in experiments in vivo. Meanwhile, the PAEs stimulated the HFSC proliferation in vitro and activated the AKT and Wnt pathways. However, the proliferative activity of HFSC was inhibited after blocking the Wnt pathway and AKT activity. Conclusion: This study suggests that the hair growth-promoting effect of PAEs in AGA mice may be closely related to the stimulation of the AKT and Wnt pathways, which in turn activates the proliferation of HFSC.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN EXFOLIATING DERMOCOSMETIC FORMULATION WITH BABASSU FIBERS TO HELP ON THE TREATMENT OF ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA

Androgenetic alopecia is a condition characterized by hair loss associated with exposure to androgens, occurring in genetically predisposed individuals. It causes terminal hair to be replaced by vellus hair, miniaturizing the hair shaft and decreasing hair density. The removal of the stratum corneum of skin due to mechanical exfoliation facilitates the penetration of active ingredients into the scalp by stimulating blood circulation, which can help hair growth. Society's consumption patterns are constantly changing, being the search for sustainability and ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) trends a very popular topic. The aim of this study was to develop an exfoliating dermocosmetic formulation with babassu fibers to help on the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, using the part of the babassu coconut that was originally discarded by the industry. An oil-in-water emulsion was developed with the surfactants lauryl glucoside and cocoamidopropyl betaine, and the emulsifiers cetostearyl alcohol and glyceryl monostearate. The formulation was then analyzed for organoleptic parameters (color, smell and appearance), density, pH and centrifugation. The formulation showed instability in the presence of direct sunlight and heat, indicating possible impasses for its commercialization, since storage in the bathroom may trigger instability. In this way, it can be assumed that storing the product in a refrigerator or even at room temperature (&lt;25°C) will maintain its stability. Based on the results, future studies are needed to assess the stability of the scrub, and the optimization of the formulation will make it possible to obtain an innovative product.

Effects of Camellia oleifera seed shell polyphenols and 1,3,6-tri-O-galloylglucose on androgenic alopecia via inhibiting 5a-reductase and regulating Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the leading cause of hair loss in adults. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, but studies have shown that the androgen-mediated 5α-reductase-AR receptor pathway and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway play significant roles. Camellia oleifera is an oil plant, and its fruits have been documented in folklore as having a hair cleansing effect and preventing hair loss. In this study, we used UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS to identify the structure of the substances contained in the polyphenols of Camellia oleifera seed shell. These polyphenols are mainly used for shampooing and anti-hair loss purposes. Next, we used molecular docking technology to dock 41 polyphenols and steroidal 5 alpha reductase 2 (SRD5A2). We found that the docking scores and docking sites of 1,3,6-tri-O-galloylglucose (TGG) and finasteride were similar. We constructed a mouse model of DHT-induced AGA to evaluate the effects of Camellia oleifera seed shell polyphenols (CSSP) and TGG in vivo. Treatment with CSSP and TGG alleviated alopecia symptoms and reduced DHT levels. Additionally, CSSP and TGG were able to reduce androgen levels by inhibiting the SRD5A2-AR receptor signaling pathway. Furthermore, by regulating the secretion of growth factors and activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, CSSP and TGG were able to extend the duration of hair growth. In conclusion, our study showed that CSSP and TGG can improve AGA in C57BL/6 J mice and reduce the effect of androgen on hair follicle through the two signaling pathways mentioned above. This provides new insights into the material basis and mechanism of the treatment of AGA by CSSP.

In silico Analysis of Berberine as a Potential Therapeutic Approach for Various Signalling Pathways Linked to Androgenetic Alopecia

Background: Alopecia is defined by a loss of hair density and is often considered a symptom of multiple illnesses, such as infection and inflammation. Objective: The molecular mechanisms underlying the hair-promoting effects include inhibition of 5α-reductase activity, reducing the binding affinity of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to androgen receptors, and decreasing/down-regulating TGF-β2 activity, which have a suggestive role in androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride and minoxidil are the approved non-surgical treatment alternatives for hair loss, but they cause side effects in patients. Therefore, bioactive phytoconstituents with multiple targets can be used to find novel, secure, and efficacious hair-promoting medicinal products. Methods: This study has carried out the in silico evaluation of berberine using various software. To find possible interactions between the 5α-reductase enzyme and Transforming Growth Factor-- beta 2 (TGF-β2), a critical protein involved in the human hair development cycle, computer-aided drug discovery was employed. Results: According to in silico studies, berberine has been found to bind well to the 4K7a and 6M2N binding sites. The drug has been found to adhere to Lipinski's rule of five, and its pharmacokinetic characteristics were noteworthy. Drug-likeness and Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) properties showed appreciable results. Furthermore, berberine showed docking scores of -8.4 (5α-reductase) and -7.1 (TGF-β2), which were significantly better than minoxidil (-4.8, -3.2). In general, the drug exhibited improved binding interactions, and the possible toxicity investigations provided very little basis for risk prediction. Conclusion: The current protocol has offered experimental support for berberine's possible therapeutic use in reducing male pattern baldness. Therefore, it can be a possible target for the therapy of androgenetic alopecia through the regulation of TGF-β2 and 5α-reductase activity.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of tofacitinib and azathioprine in patients with alopecia areata and variants: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune pathology manifested by loss of hair. To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib and azathioprine in patients with AA and variants. In this double-blind randomized controlled trail (RCT) carried out at the Department of Dermatology, Medical Teaching Institute-Lady Reading Hospital (MTI-LRH), Peshawar, Pakistan, patients aged ≥ 12 years diagnosed with AA, alopecia totalis (AT) or alopecia universalis (AU) with minimum 50% scalp hair loss for a period ≥ 06 years were included. Patients were randomly assigned to receive oral tofacitinib 5mg twice daily (Group I) or oral azathioprine 2mg/kg body weight once daily (Group II). The primary endpoint was Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score, evaluated at baseline and 06 months follow-up. Safety was consistently assessed during the study. A total of 104 patients underwent random allocation into either the tofacitinib group (n = 52) or the azathioprine group (n = 52). The mean (SD) age of patients was 20.23 (7.14) years and 22.26 (8.07) years, while the mean (SD) disease duration was 6.59 (4.01) years and 7.98 (4.40) years in in Group I and II, respectively. Overall, 40 (38.5%) patients were adolescents while 70 (67.3%) were male. 52 (50%) had AA, 37 (35.5%) had AT and 15 (14.5%) had AU. Mean baseline SALT score in tofacitinib group was 91.02 ± 10.21 and azathioprine group was 91.02 ± 10.63, which at 06 months follow-up improved to 14.1 ± 24.6 and 63.9 ± 33.9, respectively (difference, 11.5 points; 95% confidence interval, 38.3-61.3, p < 0.0001). Overall, no major adverse effects and no difference among the minor adverse effects in the two groups (04 adverse events for tofacitinib group and 08 for azathioprine group: p = 0.23) was observed. Efficacy of tofacitinib was significantly higher than azathioprine, whilst both drugs were well-tolerated in patients with AA and variants.

Network Pharmacology Reveals Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. Regulates MAPK and HIF-1 Pathways to Treat Androgenetic Alopecia.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most prevalent hair loss disorder worldwide, driven by excessive sensitivity or response to androgen. Herbal extracts, such as Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb., have shown promise in AGA treatment due to their anti-androgenic activities and hair growth effects. However, the precise mechanism of action remains unclear. Hence, this study aims to elucidate the active compounds, putative targets, and underlying mechanisms of C. aeruginosa for the therapy of AGA using network pharmacology and molecular docking. This study identified 66 bioactive compounds from C. aeruginosa, targeting 59 proteins associated with AGA. Eight hub genes were identified from the protein-protein interaction network, namely, CASP3, AKT1, AR, IL6, PPARG, STAT3, HIF1A, and MAPK3. Topological analysis of components-targets network revealed trans-verbenol, myrtenal, carvone, alpha-atlantone, and isoaromandendrene epoxide as the core components with potential significance in AGA treatment. The molecular docking verified the binding affinity between the hub genes and core compounds. Moreover, the enrichment analyses showed that C. aeruginosa is involved in hormone response and participates in HIF-1 and MAPK pathways to treat AGA. Overall, this study contributes to understanding the potential anti-AGA mechanism of C. aeruginosa by highlighting its multi-component interactions with several targets involved in AGA pathogenesis.

Association between PITX2 polymorphism and androgenetic alopecia in the Indian population.

Background Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, is a common form of hair loss influenced by environmental, hormonal, and genetic factors. According to recent research, the PITX2 gene may play a key role in the pathophysiology of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Objective This study examines the association between genetic variants of the PITX2 gene and AGA risk. Methods The genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples collected from 70 male AGA patients and 60 non-androgenetic alopecia controls. The isolated DNA was quantified and the genotype for three PITX2 polymorphisms (rs2200733, rs10033464, and rs13143308) was identified using TaqMan assays. The statistical analysis was done to determine the allele frequency of genetic variants between AGA and non-AGA groups. Result The demographic profile of the study population showed that the AGA and non-AGA groups differed in age. The AGA group had higher blood pressure, a higher prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and a higher incidence of family history. Through genetic analysis, significant correlations were found between AGA risk and specific PITX2 polymorphisms, significantly with the rs2200733 allele (OR = 6.08, p < 0.001*), the rs1003464 G allele (OR = 2.02, p < 0.019*) and the rs13143308 showed GT genotype (OR = 4.26, p < 0.001*). Conclusion Based on our findings, the PITX2 polymorphisms may play a vital role in the development of AGA. This study also found the interactions between genetic and environmental factors in AGA pathogenesis.

A Comparative Study on the Efficacy and Safety of 10% Topical Minoxidil versus 5% Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss

Abstract Background Androgenetic alopecia is a genetically disorder characterized by the gradual conversion of terminal hairs into vellus hairs, called miniaturized hairs. It is an extremely common disease that affects men and women. Specifically, DP cells that are the main regulators of hair growth and are the only site of 5α-DHT action. Male-pattern hair loss; Male note gradual recession of the frontal hair line early in the process. Men present with gradual thinning in the temporal areas, producing a reshaping of the anterior part of the hair line. Aim of this Study To evaluate and compare topical minoxidil 10% versus topical minoxidil 5% in the treatment of MPHL as regards the efficacy, safety and side effects. This study included 51 patients with MPHL divided into 2 groups received topical minoxidil 5% 1ml twice daily for 6 months and the second group received topical minoxidil 10% 1ml twice daily for 6 months. Patients and Methods: Results The current study revealed that there was significant difference between the studied groups as regard the percentage of improvement in Frontal Total hair count with superiority for 10% group. But the improvement in other parameters were comparable between the studied groups. Comparison of treatment response in both groups revealed nearly the same efficacy of both concentrations of topical minoxidil 5% and 10% in MPHL, higher concentration more than 5% could decrease the compliance and the tolerance. Conclusion We found that using higher doses of topical minoxidil was associated with higher improvement in frontal total hair count and higher side effects.

Beyond Hair Loss: Exploring the Evolution of Androgenetic Alopecia Research based on text mining and Bibliometrics

In this study, word dynamics, co-occurring phrases, and keyword frequency in the area of androgenetic alopecia were thoroughly analysed during a ten-year period. The study tracks changes in word usage, frequency, and context and identifies variations in the distribution and usage patterns of keywords, subjects, and co-occurring phrases using natural language processing techniques and graph theory-based approaches. The research reveals hidden linkages and patterns between diverse ideas, shedding light on the co-occurrence patterns of numerous phrases in the literature on androgenetic alopecia. The study emphasises the value of clearly visualising and disseminating findings to a large audience. In order to communicate the findings of the 10-year trend analysis to patrons, legislatures, and other pertinent audiences, data visualisation tools, infographics, and reports are used. This makes sure that the results are useful, effective, and easily accessible so that they can guide the creation of policies and decisions pertaining to androgenetic alopecia. The results of this study may have substantial ramifications for academics, medical professionals, policymakers, and other industry participants. The research can lead future research paths, prioritise research areas, and suggest areas that require additional examination by highlighting key research challenges and pointing out gaps in the study of androgenetic alopecia. Identifying emergent study issues, analysing the changing patterns in the area, and establishing research strategies can all benefit from an analysis of word dynamics and correlations among terms. The results reveal hidden relationships and patterns, advance knowledge of the research environment in this area, and influence androgenetic alopecia research objectives and policies.

Association Between Natural Hair Color, Race, and Alopecia.

Limited epidemiologic data has suggested direct associations between hair pigment, race, and incidence of alopecia areata (AA). Here, we examine the relationship between natural hair color, race, and the lifetime risk alopecia. In this case-control study, we included UK Biobank patients of all races and self-reported hair color with diagnoses of AA, androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or scarring alopecia (SA). Multivariable logistic regression was used to detect differences in lifetime risk. Findings reveal a significantly increased risk of AA among individuals with black hair compared to dark brown hair (OR 1.71 [95% CI 1.22-2.38], p < 0.001). Those with red or blonde hair showed a decreased risk of AA (0.74 [0.56-0.97]; 0.62 [0.41-0.95], p < 0.05). No racial differences in AA prevalence were observed among individuals with black hair. Darker hair colors may be associated with a higher risk of AA, lighter hair colors with a lower risk, and differences in hair color could contribute to previously noted racial variations in AA incidence, potentially influencing dermatologists' perspectives on the disease's epidemiology.

Sonographic comparison of subcutaneous fat layer thickness in the scalp area in patients with androgenetic alopecia compared to healthy individuals: Cross-sectional.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is one of the most common alopecia among men and women worldwide. It is a nonscarring alopecia that has a characterized pattern. In female pattern AGA, the hairline is stable but general thinning occurs most notably in the frontal region. In male-pattern AGA, the hairline is receding and the thinning is most notable in the frontotemporal region. AGA has a complex pathogenesis and relation of subcutaneous fat in the scalp region and the miniaturization of terminal hair follicles is vague. In this study, subcutaneous fat in the frontal scalp an important region for AGA is compared to the occipital scalp that is spared in AGA. Our study is a cross-sectional study that has four groups. Male patient, female patient, male control, female control. Every group has 15 individuals. All of the people in the study are those referred to Rasoul Akram's dermatology clinic. The severity of alopecia is classified by Norwood scaling for male pattern AGA and Ludwig scaling for female pattern AGA. Subcutaneous tissue in the frontal and occipital regions is measured by ultrasonography. For evaluating the effect of aging on subcutaneous fat thickness, we subdivided any group into more than 40 years old and between 20 and 40 years old and compared these two subgroups. The mean age of the three groups of male patient, female patient, and female control is 40 y/o and the mean age of male control is 41 y/o. The mean subcutaneous fat layer thickness in frontal region in male patients group is 6.0mm (more than 40 y/o=6.6mm, between 20 and 40 y/o=5.5mm), in female patients group 5.1mm (more than 40 y/o=5.7mm, between 20 and 40 y/o=4.6mm), in the male control group is 4.4mm (more than 40 y/o=4.7mm, between 20 and 40 y/o=4mm) and in the female control group is 4.1mm (more than 40 y/o=4.5mm, between 20 and 40 y/o=3.6mm). The mean subcutaneous fat layer thickness in the occipital region in the male patient's group is 6.4mm (more than 40 y/o=6.7mm, between 20 and 40 y/o=6mm), in the female patient's group 6.1mm (more than 40 y/o=6.5mm, between 20 and 40 y/o=5.7mm), in the male control group is 6.3mm (more than 40 y/o=6.8mm, between 20 and 40 y/o=5.7mm) and in the female control group is 6.2mm (more than 40 y/o=6.6mm, between 20 and 40 y/o=5.8mm). This study demonstrates that the subcutaneous fat layer in the frontal region in both males and females is thicker in AGA patients than healthy group and the more severe the AGA, the thicker is subcutaneous layer in the frontal region. In the male patients group, the subcutaneous fat layer in the frontal region is thicker than in the female patients group but in the male and female control groups is not so different. The subcutaneous fat layer in the occipital region is thicker in older individuals in both patients and control groups but is not different when compared to AGA patients and control individuals.

Two years of innovative dermatological care: the first public health consultation service for the transgender and gender diverse community in Argentina

BackgroundThe LGBTQI + community encounters distinct healthcare challenges due to discrimination and inadequate understanding of their needs. Dermatologists play a crucial role in addressing this by fostering inclusiveness, recognizing individual concerns, and adopting tailored approaches, thereby promoting a more equitable healthcare system. ObjectiveTo address the need for an inclusive healthcare space, the authors established the first dermatological practice exclusively for transgender and non-binary patients. This article presents a comprehensive two-year experience in a public hospital. MethodsThe authors conducted a retrospective and descriptive study, analyzing the medical records of 114 patients evaluated at a specialized dermatological practice between June 2021 and May 2023. Key variables assessed included self-identified gender, age, residence, access to private healthcare, human immunodeficiency virus status, hormonal treatment, surgical interventions, consultation motives, employment stability, and family support during gender expression transition. ResultsThe present study included 114 patients, 49.1% trans men, 39.5% trans women, and 8.8% non-binary individuals. Trans men, on average younger than trans women (p < 0.001), predominantly sought care for body modification-related concerns, particularly acne and androgenetic alopecia. In contrast, trans women exhibited a more diverse range of consultation motives typically unrelated to hormonal or surgical procedures. Study limitationsThis study is retrospective and limited in geographic scope. Additionally, the patient population lacked diversity in terms of Black ethnicity. ConclusionsThe pioneering dermatological practice for transgender and non-binary patients exemplifies healthcare equity and cultural competence. Effective LGBTQI + healthcare requires addressing unique dermatological concerns while fostering inclusiveness and continuous learning within the medical community.