Natural progression of male pattern baldness in young men

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Abstract
Summary Twentv-six men who presented with male pattern baldness (androgen-dependent alopecia), were quantita- tivelv evaluated for scalp hair variables and compared q'ith 13 age-matched controls. Compared to controls, significant mean differences for hair variables were found in the frontal-vertex area, while in the occipital area, a reduction in total hair density (hairs/cm2) was the only significant (P < 0'05) finding. A large proportion 1+8'59a) of meaningful hair (non-vellus hair) was ( 40 mm in length, yet had diameters similar to hairs growing much longer. In controls, these hairs accounted for onlv l2'2o,o of the total population. Compared to baseline, mean values from the frontal-vertex area of subiects with androgen-dependent alopecia were significantly lower for total hair density, meaningful hair density (non-vellus hairs/cm2) and percentage of hair in the anagen growth phase, l2 and 24 months later. During this time, total hair density decreased by 6'5-9'lo after 12 months and by ll'9oA after 24 months. Similarly, meaningful hair density declined at l2 months b1' l0'80,,, and bv 22'704, after 24 months. No change in anv hair variable was detected in controls after 12 or 24 months. Our findings suggest that medications capable of maintaining the existing hair population should be regarded as effective treatments for this condition. Left untreated androgen-dependent aloperia progressively deteriorates. The induction of non-vellus hairs < 40 mm in length to grow longer, would substantiallf improve the aesthetic profile without the need to generate new hair.

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