Is there a link between SD & AGA? Is there any relationship between acne and AGA? (Photo)

I can see why you’re concerned, and it’s important to look at how conditions like seborrheic dermatitis (SD) and acne might relate to androgenetic alopecia (AGA). While they’re not directly linked, there are definitely some connections worth noting.
From my experience, seborrheic dermatitis and AGA can overlap in certain cases. DHT, which is responsible for miniaturizing hair follicles in AGA, also stimulates your sebaceous glands, leading to increased oil production. That excess oil can aggravate your SD, which might explain why your flare-up happened around the same time your shedding started. It’s not that SD causes AGA, but the inflammation from SD can worsen hair shedding temporarily, especially if there’s already underlying hair loss.
When it comes to telogen effluvium (TE) and AGA, I’ve seen patients who experience TE before their AGA fully progresses. TE is usually triggered by something temporary, like stress or health changes, and doesn’t cause the permanent miniaturization that AGA does, but it can make early hair thinning seem more severe. Once TE subsides, your hair can recover, but AGA will continue unless treated.
As for acne and AGA, both can be indirectly related because they’re influenced by DHT. I’ve often noticed that patients with higher DHT levels might struggle with both conditions. DHT increases oil production, contributing to acne, while also driving the follicle miniaturization in AGA.
So, while SD, acne, and AGA don’t directly cause one another, they can share common factors like DHT. Managing your SD and acne, alongside treatments for AGA like finasteride or minoxidil, can really help balance things out for both your skin and scalp.