TLDR Acne is strongly linked to high BMI, hair loss, menstrual issues, family history, and eating too many sweets and fatty foods, but not to excessive hair growth.
A case-control study conducted 7 years ago at Farshchian hospital in Hamadan, Iran, involving 110 female patients with acne and 110 control subjects, found a strong association between acne, higher Body Mass Index (BMI), alopecia, menstrual dysfunction, positive familial history, and overconsumption of sweet and fatty foods. No link was found between acne and hirsutism. The study also noted that most patients experienced a worsening of acne just before menstruation and that the peak incidence of alopecia in the acne group was at stage 2, indicating progression to an adult hairline. Despite normal serum androgen levels, hormonal therapies were found to be effective in women with premenstrual acne flare-ups. The study concluded that hyperandrogenism should be evaluated in girls with premature pubarche, unusual acne, androgenetic alopecia, and obesity.
118 citations
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September 2004 in “Clinics in Dermatology”
Hormones, especially androgens, play a big role in acne, but most acne sufferers don't have a hormone disorder. Hormonal treatments, including birth control pills, can be very effective for women whose acne doesn't improve with regular treatments.
169 citations
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August 2004 in “Baillière's best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology/Baillière's best practice and research in clinical obstetrics and gynaecology”
Lower doses of treatments for hirsutism and acne in PCOS are effective and cause fewer side effects.
27-year-old female experiences aggressive hair thinning and hirsutism despite normal testosterone levels. Spironolactone and 2% minoxidil were ineffective; high DHEA sulfate levels may be the cause.
The conversation discusses a new model for understanding androgeneticalopecia (AGA), linking it to dietary and lifestyle factors similar to PCOS, and highlighting the role of DHT, vascular damage, and inflammation. Treatments mentioned include Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) impacts various skin conditions, including Androgeneticalopecia and seborrheic dermatitis, by causing overactivity in sebaceous glands. Topical medications Tacrolimus and Clobetasol can reduce these inflammatory conditions, and treatments like RU58841, Minoxidil, and Finasteride may also be beneficial.
DHT may inhibit hair growth by affecting mitochondrial function, leading to hair follicle miniaturization. Treatments like minoxidil and PP405 may promote hair growth by altering metabolic pathways, potentially counteracting DHT's effects.
The conversation discusses using scalp antiandrogens like RU58841, pyrilutamide, or fluridil on the face to reduce sebum production, noting that clascoterone (winlevi) is an approved facial antiandrogen with underwhelming reviews.
Elevated bile acids can inhibit the enzyme AKR1C2, leading to increased DHT levels, which may accelerate hair loss in those predisposed to androgeneticalopecia. Treatments mentioned include topical minoxidil and finasteride.
