Bald Twins

Wear a hat, de-stress, and don't smoke if you want to be the more lushly haired brother.

Genetics may contribute to male (androgenic) alopecia (AA), but even within families, the expression and penetrance is variable. To address more directly the influence of other factors on AA, investigators studied 92 identical male twins (mean age, 51; range, 23–84), comparing completed questionnaires, four-view standardized photographs, and sputum samples analyzed for testosterone levels. Degree of hair thinning was assessed from photographs by two independent, blinded observers using the Likert scale. Linear regression modeling identified independent predicators of hair loss measures.

Independent factors that contributed to hair loss included genetics, older age, smoking, dandruff, having more children, higher caffeine ingestion, lower BMI…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)