Is scalp tension a factor in androgenetic alopecia?

[Daniel_the_Hairy_Dutchman]

Hello all,

How much is hair loss on the scalp influenced by scalp tension? I went to a dermatologist recently and he told me androgenetic alopecia is partly influenced by scalp tension, what does the science say?

Thank you.

 

[LITUATUI]

Yes, there is a connection.

Mechanistically, the scalp behaves like a drum skin with tensioning muscles around the periphery. These muscle groups — the frontalis, occipitalis, and periauricular muscles and to a minor degree the temporalis — can create a “tight” scalp when chronically active. Because the blood supply to the scalp enters through the periphery, a reduction in blood flow would be most apparent at the distal ends of the vessels, specifically, the vertex and frontal peaks. Areas of the scalp with sparse hair growth have been shown to be relatively hypoxic, have slow capillary refill, and to have high levels of dihydrotestosterone.

Conceptually, Botox “loosens” the scalp, reducing pressure on the perforating vasculature, thereby increasing blood flow and oxygen concentration. The enzymatic conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone is oxygen dependent. In low-oxygen environments, the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone is favored; whereas in high-oxygen environments, more testosterone is converted to estradiol. Blood flow may therefore be a primary determinant in follicular health. Strategically placed Botox injections appear able to indirectly modify this variable, resulting in reduced hair loss and new hair growth in some men with androgenetic alopecia.

Involvement of Mechanical Stress in Androgenetic Alopecia - PMC

Androgenetic alopecia (Androgenetic Alopecia) is a frequent disorder characterized by progressive hair miniaturization in a very similar pattern among all affected men. The pathogenesis is related to androgen-inducible overexpression of transforming growth factor β-1 ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/FullText/2010/11000/Treatment_of_Male_Pattern_Baldness_with_Botulinum.79.aspx

https://aicepola.com/#causes

 

[Inigo1202]

As far as I've read, yes, it seems to play a part in all of this problem. Though I believe not as much as some poeple here seem to suggest.

 

[partysnacks]

Possibly it plays some role. Much more research needs to be done however.

Rob's 2017 article is pretty good: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306987717310411