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Until now, the general belief has been that premature baldness (male pattern bald ness: M.P.B., or androgenetie alopeeia) is a hereditary eondition that progresses with age and for which there is no eure. If the father is bald, it is assumed that the ehild may also be destined to be bald sometime in the future. The existing theory throughout the world is that the eentral portion of the hair follicle is the hair root, and hair ean never regrow if the hair root has been removed. Dr. Inaba has introdueed a new theory that the eentral portion of the hair folliele is not only the hair root but the upper isthmal portion elose to the duet opening of the sebaeeous gland. This is a totaUy new understanding of the hair growth mechanism and the hair eyele. In his experienee in the surgieal removal of the sweat glands, whieh also removes the hair root, Dr. Inaba has found inereasing evidenee that hair regrows if the sebaeeous gland is left intaet.

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1. Structure of Skin and Hair Follicles.- 2. Preparation of Thick Tissue Specimens.- 3. Generation and Growth of Human Hair.- 4. Pigmentation of Hair.- 5. Blood Vessel System in Hair Follicles.- 6. Changes in Hair: Causative Factors.- 7. Hair Regeneration.- 8. Regeneration After Subcutaneous Tissue Shaving Procedure.- 9. Regeneration After Plucking.- 10. Regeneration After Electrical Epilation of the Hair.- 11. Regeneration of Scalp Hair.- 12. Hair Regeneration in the Mouse After Application of Anti-Cancer Agent, Particularly in Terms of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interaction.- 13. New Concept of the Hair Cycle (Sebaceous Gland Hypothesis).- 14. Other Important Findings in the Hair Follicle.- 15. Hormones Classified According to Secretory Organ of Origin.- 16. Neuronal and Other Factors That Influence the Hair Follicle.- 17. Androgenetic Alopecia.- 18. Etiologic Factors in Male Pattern Baldness.- 19. Sebaceous Gland Hypothesis of Androgenetic Alopecia (Inaba 1985; Inaba and Inaba 1992a).- 20. Histological Findings in Androgenetic Alopecia.- 21. Causal Mechanism of Progressive Androgenetic Alopecia.- 22. Differential Diagnosis (Types of Baldness Other than Male Pattern Baldness).- 23. Relationship of Diet to Androgenetic Alopecia.- 24. General Measures for Prevention of Baldness.- 25. Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia.- 26. Agents Used for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia.- 27. Other Products Being Developed by Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Companies.- 28. Trial Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia with Oxidizing Agents (Inaba and Inaba 1984).- 29. Operative Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia.- 30. Artificial Hair Implantation.- 31. Another Solution: Hairpieces (Wigs).- 32. Mechanism of Linear Scar Formation After Scalp Surgery: Preventive Measures.- Afterword.- Acknowledgments.- References.

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