If male pattern baldness is caused by testosterone, why are hairs on top of the head more affected by it and hairs like eyebrows, beard, inside ears etc, are affected less?
In: Biology
It’s affected by DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) a androgen created from testosterone via an enzyme known as 5 – alpha – reductase.
The effect of DHT is as an agonist for different androgen receptors found in various parts of the body.
On the scalp the receptors activated by DHT signal for hair loss where as in the pubic,facial and body it signals for hair growth.
Factors such as receptor quantity, sensitivity and 5-a- reductase activity determine the overall outcome of balding and facial/body hair.
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