For Armando..............

[michael barry]

Armando,

this is from Wikipedia:

Hyperkeratinization
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Hyperkeratinization is a disorder of the cells lining the inside of a hair follicle. It is the normal function of these cells to detach or slough off (desquamate) from the skin lining at normal intervals. The dead cells are then forced out of the follicle (primarily by the growing hair). However, in hyperkeratinization, this process is interrupted and a number of these dead skin cells do not leave the follicle because of an excess of keratin, a natural protein found in the skin. This excess of keratin, which is influenced by genetics, results in an increased adherence/bonding of dead skin cells together. This cohesion of cells will block or "cap" the hair follicle (leading to keratosis pilaris) or clog the sebaceous/oil duct (leading to acne).


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Perhaps that is what causes the immuno reaction in baldness? Its just a guess, but we know that DKK-1 KILLS keratinocyte cells, so if you have dead cells hanging around the infidulum longer than what they are supposed to and sebaceous oils "in the area" too, perhaps some microbials living off of this stuff worsen the autoimmune resonse?

 

[michael barry]

Thought I'd add this:


I. Correcting Follicular Keratinization
Topical retinoids such as tretinoin (Retin A, Avita), adapalene (Differin), and tazarotene (Tazorac) correct altered follicular keratinization by redifferentiating normal smaller keratinocytes and decreasing tonofilament connections. Oral isotretinoin (Accutane) is the only retinoid that, in addition to correcting keratinization, decreases sebum production. The antibacterial agent azelaic acid also has an effect on correcting keratinization. Keratolytic agents such as salicylic acid help to dissolve the "cork" at the top of the follicular infundibulum. Comedones also can be physically extracted through pore strips or mechanical expression (scalp excercise?).