Scalp Biophysical Characteristics in Males with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Comparative Study with Healthy Controls

Abstract

Background

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss in men. Its prevalence increases with advancing age. Characteristics of hair loss in male AGA reveal the possibility of different biophysical and physiological profiles between androgen-sensitive (vertex) and androgen-insensitive (occipital) scalps. However, these variations have not been well investigated.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate and compare scalp biophysical and physiological characteristics in male AGA patients and healthy controls.

Methods

Scalp biophysiological profiles were evaluated by non-invasive measuring techniques, including skin surface lipids (SSL), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and stratum corneum hydration (SCH) on both vertex and occipital areas. Values were compared between scalp areas and study groups. Participants with AGA were further categorized based on disease severity (Hamilton–Norwood classification) for subgroup analyses. Correlation coefficients were evaluated to determine the effects of AGA severity and age on each functional parameter.

Results

Participants were 31 AGA subjects and 31 healthy controls. The vertex scalp of AGA patients had significantly higher SSL (p = 0.03) and lower SCH (p = 0.02) compared to the occipital scalp. TEWL was not significantly different (p = 0.31). AGA group SSL showed a positive correlation with severity of hair loss (r = 0.61, p = 0.03). When compared to controls, the AGA group vertex scalp had significantly higher SSL (p = 0.03) and lower TEWL (p < 0.001). The occipital area showed no statistically significant differences.

Conclusion

Male AGA presents with different biophysical and physiological characteristics in androgen-sensitive and androgen-insensitive areas, and with further differences from controls. These findings could direct further research and aid in the development of optimal hair and scalp treatments to improve scalp functional profiles in particular patients.

Keywords:

• alopecia
• hair loss
• hydration
• sebum
• transepidermal water loss

Data Sharing Statement

All datasets are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

This study was approved by the Mahidol University Institutional Review Board for Ethics in Human Research (MURA2019/308) and was performed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. Written informed consent was received from each subject before enrolment.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.