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

Figures & data

Table 1 Characteristics of Included Participants

	AGA N = 31	Control N = 31	p value
Age, y
Mean (SD)	51.25 (10.19)	47.81 (9.38)	0.17
Hamilton–Norwood type, n (%)
III	10 (32)	–	–
IV	8 (26)	–
V	7 (23)	–
VI	3 (9.5)	–
VII	3 (9.5)	–
Frequency of hair washing, n (%)
< 1 time/day	8 (25.8)	14 (45.1)	0.76
1 time/day	21 (67.7)	15 (48.4)
≥ 1 time/day	2 (6.5)	2 (6.5)

Abbreviations: AGA, androgenetic alopecia; SD, standard deviation.

Figure 1 Values of skin surface lipids, transepidermal water loss, and stratum corneum hydration measured at vertex and occipital areas of males with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and healthy controls. ^†Statistically significant difference between vertex and occipital areas of males with AGA, *Statistically significant difference between AGA and control groups.

Figure 2 Scatter plots of skin surface lipids, transepidermal water loss, and stratum corneum hydration measured at vertex and occipital areas of males with androgenetic alopecia, showing correlation coefficient (r). *Statistically significant.

Table 2 Comparison of Measured Values Between Androgenetic Alopecia and Control Groups

Biophysical Parameter	AGA N = 31	Control N = 31	p value
Skin surface lipids, median (IQR)
Vertex area	8 (1–29)	2 (1–9)	0.03*
Occipital area	3 (1–10)	2 (1–8)	0.32
Transepidermal water loss, mean (SD)
Vertex area	16.35 (5.15)	21.26 (6.26)	<0.001*
Occipital area	18.14 (4.20)	20.64 (5.98)	0.93
Stratum corneum hydration, mean (SD)
Vertex area	87.84 (18.75)	97.17 (20.8)	0.07
Occipital area	105.96 (29.29)	109.32 (31.01)	0.41

Note: *Statistically significant.

Abbreviations: AGA, androgenetic alopecia; IQR, interquartile range; SD, standard deviation.