Each hair is formed from a hair follicle in the skin and each follicle lives for about three years. A hair consists of a column of dead cells derived from the living hair follicle. There is a central medulla, which contains the coloured melanin, and a hard external cuticle. Sebaceous glands are connected to the follicle. The sebaceous glands and the hair follicles are sensitive to the circulating androgens (masculinising sex hormonesQ 2. 9). Acne and excess body hair may be associated with increased levels of androgens.
Our skin is covered by hair follicles but those in the typical male distribution are sensitive to androgens which increase the hair production, and oestrogens (female sex hormones) which decrease it. These sex hormones are carried in the blood on a protein called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Androgens decrease the amount of circulating SHBG and oestrogens increase the SHBG. If there is less SHBG, more of the androgen is free (unbound to protein) and available to act on the hair follicles. (SHBG).
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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
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