Hair Are the Rankings—5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors and Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss in men in the US, affecting 50% of men by age 50 and up to 90% of men in their lifetime. It can moderately impair health-related quality of life and is associated with low self-esteem and depression. Currently, the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies for AGA are topical minoxidil, oral finasteride 1 mg, and low-level light therapy. However, due to the high prevalence of AGA and its associated outcomes, there is an increasing trend in the literature reporting off-label use of oral minoxidil, oral dutasteride, and higher doses of oral finasteride and topical minoxidil to expand therapeutic options for patients.