“Crazy” new scientific theory for the cause of baldness

[Addendum]

“Crazy” new scientific theory for the cause of baldness:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131030092856.htm

Here’s a quote:


“The effects of gravity may explain the apparently paradoxical effects of testosterone in male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia (AGA), according to a special topic paper in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery -- Global Open®, the official open-access medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

The "force of downward pull caused by the gravity on the scalp skin" is the key contributor to the events leading to progressive hair loss in male pattern baldness, writes Dr. Emin Tuncay Ustuner, a plastic surgeon in Ankara, Turkey. He adds, "The new theory's unparalleled ability to explain even the details of the hair loss process and the formation of the pattern in AGA is apparent."

"Gravity Theory" Helps Explain DHT's Role in Androgenic Alopecia Dr. Ustuner's theory seeks to reconcile some puzzling observations related to the development and progression of AGA. Balding areas of the scalp show increases in a potent form of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), while drugs that block conversion of testosterone to DHT can slow hair loss.”


The problem with this theory is that if it is correct why don’t all men become bald?

And if it is correct, it means that hair transplants are a waste of time and money as the transplanted hair will eventually fall out due to gravity.

[Addendum]

I’ve just found the answer to the question whether hair transplants will eventually fall out due to gravity.

According to the doctor (Dr Ustuner) who came up with the gravity theory of baldness, transplanted hair will indeed eventually fall out. He says this in the following quote taken from a forum discussion of his theory in which he takes part:

“Transplanted hair follicles survive for a long time. This is something that should be expected. A number of factors may be effective. First of all, terminal hair follicles are transplanted with surrounding soft tissues along the full length of the follicles. One should also keep in mind that these follicles are not overstrained follicles by high DHT levels. Transplant follicles are placed in the recipient holes opened in the scalp skin and left there freely. The hair follicle with its own surrounding soft tissue is added on the available soft tissue at the recipient site. Transplant follicles are not sutured to the skin. Healing process takes places without a force on the follicles. The skin can not apply the same pressure that it applies on the hair follicles in an intact skin, on the transplanted follicles. A scar tissue that forms around the transplant follicle during the healing process envelops it and provides extra strength.

Briefly transplanted hair follicles are not permanent. However, hair loss process in AGA is a very long process. Roughly 30% of the men are affected at age 30, 50% at age 50, and 80% at age 80. And this is the case for normal hairs, not transplant hairs. Transplant hairs are expected to live longer than normal hairs that they replace.”

https://forum.*************/t/all-th...weird/10800/35

So, apparently, this is bad news for hair transplant patients in the long-term—if you believe any of it, which I don’t.

[Addendum]

The link in my last post does work, but not apparently when posted into my post. Can't explain that.

[Ahab]

“Crazy” new scientific theory for the cause of baldness:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131030092856.htm

Here’s a quote:


“The effects of gravity may explain the apparently paradoxical effects of testosterone in male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia (AGA), according to a special topic paper in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery -- Global Open®, the official open-access medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

The "force of downward pull caused by the gravity on the scalp skin" is the key contributor to the events leading to progressive hair loss in male pattern baldness, writes Dr. Emin Tuncay Ustuner, a plastic surgeon in Ankara, Turkey. He adds, "The new theory's unparalleled ability to explain even the details of the hair loss process and the formation of the pattern in AGA is apparent."

"Gravity Theory" Helps Explain DHT's Role in Androgenic Alopecia Dr. Ustuner's theory seeks to reconcile some puzzling observations related to the development and progression of AGA. Balding areas of the scalp show increases in a potent form of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), while drugs that block conversion of testosterone to DHT can slow hair loss.”


The problem with this theory is that if it is correct why don’t all men become bald?

And if it is correct, it means that hair transplants are a waste of time and money as the transplanted hair will eventually fall out due to gravity.

I think it's bonkers. But someone might want to survey men who have spent their adult lives either mostly upside down or lying down. Maybe men who have lived their lives in artificial lung machines. Of course, one would have to factor out how disease and medications might have affected hair growth.

[Addendum]

I agree.

And his theory offers no hope to bald men, seeing as he dismisses hair transplants.