Morphological and morphometric study of the androgenetic alopecic scalp

[Armando Jose]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24446778
Br J Dermatol. 2014 Jun;170(6):1313-8. doi: 10.1111/bjd.12842.
[h=1]Morphological and morphometric study of the androgenetic alopecic scalp using two- and three-dimensional analysis comparing regional differences.[/h]Kim JN1, Lee JY, Shin KJ, Gil YC, Koh KS, Song WC.
[h=3]Author information[/h]

[h=3]Abstract[/h][h=4]BACKGROUND:[/h]Androgenetic (male-type) alopecia (Androgenetic Alopecia) is caused by genetic and androgenetic effects. The progression of baldness results in smaller hair papillae, thinner hair and a shortened hair cycle. Alopecia occurs mainly in the frontal region and, to a lesser extent, in the occipital region.
[h=4]OBJECTIVES:[/h]The morphological differences in the hair follicular units between the alopecic frontal scalp and the vertex and occipital regions were compared using cross-sectional histology and three-dimensional reconstruction.
[h=4]METHODS:[/h]Skin specimens were obtained from the frontal, vertex and occipital regions of 24 male human cadavers with fully progressed Androgenetic Alopecia, and from the frontal region of 32 normal cadaveric scalps. These specimens were fixed, processed using routine histological methods, serially sectioned at a thickness of 10 μm and then stained with Masson's trichrome. The serial sections were reconstructed three-dimensionally using 'Reconstruct' software.
[h=4]RESULTS:[/h]The ratios between the numbers of terminal and vellus hairs in the frontal and occipital regions in the Androgenetic Alopecia scalps were 0·2 : 1 and 3·5 : 1, respectively. Almost all of the hair follicles in the frontal region were vellus hair follicles. The sebaceous gland and arrector pili muscle were larger in the frontal region than in the occipital region.
[h=4]CONCLUSIONS:[/h]The morphology of the Androgenetic Alopecia scalp has been characterized. The terminal-to-vellus hair ratio in the occipital (normal) region wasdifferent from that in the frontal (alopecic) region. Moreover, sebaceous glands were larger in the frontal alopecic region than in the occipital region. These larger glands may be associated with other dermatological pathologies, such as seborrhoeic dermatitis.
© 2014 British Association of Dermatologists.


PMID: 24446778

 

[Python]

So what do these two mean, we might have to look into dermatitis creams?

 

[Mehrdad]

seborrhoeic dermatitis is a guess. why occipital regions aren't affected then?
Other inflammatory factors might cause this, which reminds me of reactive mastocytes at frontal regions.

 

[IDW2BB]

So what do these two mean, we might have to look into dermatitis creams?

Might want to try with some heat and in a lotion form as well:


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Heat+and+skin+absorption+lotion

Enhanced delivery of ingredients across the stratum corneum (SC) is of great interest for improving the efficacy of topically applied formulations. Various methods for improving dermal penetration have been reported including galvanic devices and micro-needles. From a safety perspective it is important that such approaches do not compromise SC barrier function. This study investigates the influence of topically applied heat in vivo on the dermal uptake and penetration of a model active, allantoin from gel and lotion formulations. A custom designed device was used to deliver 42°C for 30s daily to human subjects after application of two formulations containing allantoin. The results were compared with sites treated with formulations containing no active and no heat, and a control site. In addition to penetration of allantoin, the integrity of the SC was monitored using trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements. The results showed that just 30s of 42°C topically applied heat was enough to cause significantly more penetration of allantoin from the lotion formulation compared with no application of heat. TEWL data indicated that the integrity of the skin was not compromised by the treatment. However, the application of heat did not promote enhanced penetration of the active from the gel formulation. Vehicle composition is therefore an important factor when considering thermal enhancement strategies for targeting actives to the skin.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

 

[Armando Jose]

Also, temperature is a factor with sebum rheological properties
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-2494.1980.tb00244.x/abstract
[h=5]Article: Quantitative evaluation of skin surface lipids.[/h]
P Clarys, A Barel
[Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: More than 50 years of noninvasive studies of epidermal and sebaceous lipids has revealed a vast amount of information concerning secretion and regulation of SSLs. The first techniques developed (solvent extraction and cigarette paper) required very long experimental procedures to obtain valuable parameters; however, a great part of the knowledge on SSL production and regulation was obtained by these pioneers. Because of the difficulties encountered in these multistep procedures, applicability was restricted to a limited number of research centers. The sampling procedures in the newly developed techniques are significantly reduced and are followed by a fast and accurate evaluation. Moreover, the new sampling procedures permit us to study other aspects of sebum secretion, as demonstrated with the Sebutape method. When using photometric techniques an estimate of the SSL can be obtained within minutes (casual level measurements). After such a screening procedure, more standardized parameters can be accurately determined. Whatever the parameter under investigation, strictly controlled experimental procedures are required. Control of temperature and relative humidity of the experimental room, of the acclimatization periods, and of the volunteers during the collection periods is of capital importance. The studies discussed in this article clearly demonstrate the applicability of the new techniques not only for research and cosmetic purposes but also for clinical use.

 

[xRedStaRx]

So what do these two mean, we might have to look into dermatitis creams?

Ketoconazole shampoo works very well in my experience.

This goes to show the amount of 5-AR enzyme density on the frontal scalp, which is most likely why it leads to miniaturization in that region.

Do men who don't have male pattern baldness ever have oily or inflamed scalps? I haven't seen any.