63-Year-Old Female with Diffuse Thinning of the Hair
January 2022
in “Clinical Cases in Dermatology”
TLDR
Androgenetic alopecia, a common hair loss condition, can be treated with topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, or oral spironolactone, and new treatments like platelet-rich plasma, low-level laser therapy, and janus-kinase inhibitors are being explored.
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common type of progressive hair loss affecting up to 80% of men and 50% of women in their lifetime. It is caused by an excessive response to androgens, leading to hair follicle regression and a decrease in overall hair coverage on the scalp. In women, AGA presents as diffuse thinning at the crown. Diagnosis is typically based on a thorough history and physical exam, with biopsy rarely required. Treatment aims to increase scalp coverage and slow hair thinning, often through the use of topical minoxidil for both sexes, oral finasteride in men and non-reproductive women, and oral spironolactone as an alternative therapy to finasteride in women. Recent studies are exploring the use of platelet-rich plasma, low-level laser therapy, and janus-kinase inhibitors for AGA treatment, with promising preliminary results.
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