Role of androgens in the developmental biology of the pilosebaceous unit

The growth and development of pilosebaceous units in their characteristic pattern depends on the interaction of androgens and diverse biologic factors. Stromal-epithelial interactions are essential features. Considerable evidence suggests that androgens stimulate the growth of sensitive pilosebaceous units primarily by acting on specific stromal cells and that androgens and retinoic acid interact to regulate specific stages of sebocyte differentiation.