The inflammatory component of androgenetic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) may affect up to 50% of adults. AGA is a genetic disorder with an excessive response to androgens. Patients with AGA have higher production of dihydrotestosterone and higher levels of 5 α-reductase and androgen receptors in the balding scalp. Excessive activation of the androgen receptors leads to follicular miniaturization through a progressively shorter anagen phase. Therapeutically, there are only 2 Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs for AGA: topical minoxidil and oral finasteride.