Androgenetic alopecia is a condition that results in hair loss in both men and women. This can have a significant impact on a person’s psychological well-being, which can lead to a decreased quality of life. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of using stem cells in androgenic alopecia. The search was conducted in MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The review was performed on data pertaining to the efficacy of using different types of stem cells in androgenic alopecia: quantitative results of stem cell usage were compared to the control treatment or, different types of treatment for female and male androgenetic alopecia. Of the outcomes, the density of hair was analyzed. Fourteen articles were selected for this review. During and after treatment with stem cells, no major side effects were reported by patients with alopecia. The use of stem cells in androgenic alopecia seems to be a promising alternative to the standard treatment or it could play the role of complementary therapy to improve the effect of primary treatment. However, these results should be interpreted with caution until they can be reproduced in larger and more representative samples.

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of alopecia, but treatment options are limited. This study evaluated clinical improvement in hair condition in women with AGA six months after a single injection of autologous cell micrografts (ACMs) containing hair follicle stem cells and dermal papilla cells. Methods: Twenty-three women with clinically and dermoscopy-confirmed AGA were included. Five 2.5 mm punch biopsies were taken from the skin of each patient with the Regenera device. The cell suspension was prepared with the Rigeneracons device and then injected into the hormone-dependent hairy zone of the scalp. Results: A significant improvement was observed on the visual analog scale (VAS) when comparing pre- and post-procedure photos (p < 0.001). The change in VAS scores was moderately negatively correlated with baseline ferritin concentration and positively with iron concentration. Improved outcomes were associated with higher baseline levels of sex hormone-binding globulin and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone. Neither testosterone nor DHT showed a significant correlation with VAS scores. Conclusions: The ACM procedure was shown to be both safe and effective, yielding satisfying results six months after a single treatment session. Future investigations should aim to gather evidence that enables the development of a cost-effective approach while minimizing treatment burden and costs.

Background: The study aimed to examine the impact of stem cell treatment on quality of life (QoL) and sexual functioning in women with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Methods: Twenty-three women underwent a single session of autologous cellular micrografts (ACMs). The World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used before and after 6 months. Results: The AGA severity decreased by an average of 1 point on the Ludwig scale (p = 0.004) after treatment. FSFI scores indicated sexual dysfunction in over half of the women at baseline, but they improved significantly post-treatment for arousal [median (IQR): 4.8 (1.5) vs. 5.10 (0.9); p = 0.035] and satisfaction [4.4 (1.4) vs. 4.8 (1.8); p = 0.025]. QoL scores improved after treatment in psychological health (57.96 ± 19.0 vs. 69.35 ± 14.0; p = 0.031) and environment (72.96 ± 13.4 vs. 81.09 ± 12.6; p = 0.007), but not in physical health and social relationships. No associations were found between the WHOQOL-BREF or FSFI domains versus age and AGA severity. Conclusions: AGA reduces QoL and impacts sexual functioning in women with AGA. The high treatment burden arises from the chronic and progressive nature of AGA, coupled with limited treatment effectiveness. Effective treatments for AGA, like ACM, are urgently needed to enhance patient-reported outcomes along with clinical results.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a rare, debilitating, chronic inflammatory skin disease. This study aimed to investigate differences in body composition between patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and healthy controls, with a particular focus on sex-specific disparities, while also exploring secondary associations with muscle health and quality of life. Methods: Body composition was measured using a bioanalyzer and compared between HS individuals (n = 53) and controls (n = 50). Results: The mean BMI was significantly higher in the HS group than in the controls (median 29.6 vs. median 22.1; p < 0.001, effect size −0.581). The patients with HS had a significantly higher fat mass (mean 26.2 ± 22.7 vs. 16.3 ± 6.0; p < 0.001, effect size −0.400), level of visceral fat (median 9 vs. 2; p < 0.001, effect size −0.473), percentage of total body water (mean 45.9 ± 12.3 vs. 31.9 ± 14.3; p < 0.001, effect size −0.508), skeletal muscle index (median 8.9 vs. 7.3; p < 0.001, effect size −0.445), and bone mass (median 3.2 vs. 2.5; p < 0.001, effect size −0.421); at the same time, they had a significantly lower predicted muscle mass (median 19.8 vs. 47.3; p < 0.001, effect size −0.740) and percentage of skeletal muscle mass (mean 38.2 ± 7.8 vs. 42.3 ± 5.5; p = 0.008, effect size −0.263) in comparison to the controls. The HS group was also characterized by a higher metabolic age (median 65 vs. 21 years; p < 0.001, effect size −0.760) and basal metabolic rate (median 1927 vs. 1489 kcal; p < 0.001, effect size −0.444). Conclusions: Patients with HS exhibit a distinctive pattern in body composition parameters when compared to healthy controls, which may hold significant potential for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and monitoring disease progression. This study highlighted sex-specific differences in body composition, emphasizing the need to consider biological sex in the pathophysiology and clinical evaluation of HS. Further research is needed to explore the clinical utility of body composition analysis in disease progression, therapeutic response, and personalized management.