Acquired progressive hair curvature L67.

Meadow and Sulzberger 1932

Predominantly in young men occurring hair structure change, in which within an otherwise completely normal hair on the head in circumscribed areas a pubesh-like hair curl with shortened hair develops.

m>w

Acquired progressive hair curvature" is regarded as a manifestation form of androgenetic alopecia. Besides the change in hair structure, the hair growth capacity is also affected. An increased local 5alpha-reductase activity has been proven.

15-25 years

Affected is especially the forehead and parietal region with a circumscribed, pubic hair-like curl of hair. The hairs are shorter than the "normal" hair on the head, more often thinner and much more strongly pigmented. The demarcation to normal hair is blurred.

Calibre variations, twisting of the hair shaft, channeling in sections and spindle-shaped shaft extensions.

At the earliest in puberty acquired circumscribed hair curl without increased fragility. Anamnesis (exclusion of drugs - e.g. retinoids).

Drug-induced hair curl, wool hair, pili torti, pseudomonilethrix, hair cosmetic damage

Minoxidil, possibly finasteride

In many cases, hair curling precedes manifest androgenetic alopecia.

1. Boudou P et al (1997) Increased scalp skin and serum 5 alpha-reductase reduced androgens in a man relevant to the acquired progressive kinky hair disorder and developing androgenetic alopecia. Arch Dermatol 133:1129-1133.
2. Caneppele S et al (2001) Sodium valproate-induced kinky hair. Ann Dermatol Venereol 128:134-135.
3. Cullen SI et al (1989) Acquired progressive kinking of the hair. Arch Dermatol 125:252-255.
4. Esterly NB et al (1989) Acquired progressive kinking of the hair. Arch Dermatol 125:813-815.