Age-Related Hair Changes in Men: Mechanisms and Management of Alopecia and Graying

October 2014 in “ Maturitas ”

Paradi Mirmirani

TLDR Men's hair loss is caused by hormones and genes, and can be treated with medication and surgery, while graying is due to aging and has no prevention except dyeing.

The document from 2015 reviews the causes and treatments of age-related hair changes in men, such as androgenetic alopecia, senescent alopecia, and hair graying. Androgenetic alopecia is linked to dihydrotestosterone and genetic factors, leading to hair miniaturization, while senescent alopecia involves diffuse thinning and is related to systemic aging. External factors like UV exposure and smoking also affect hair health. Treatments include minoxidil and finasteride, which can slow hair loss and promote growth, as well as surgical and cosmetic options. Hair graying is due to a decrease in melanocytes and melanin, with oxidative stress as a contributing factor, but there are no effective treatments to prevent it, other than hair dyes. The review, authored by Paradi Mirmirani, who has received research funding from Johnson and Johnson and Procter and Gamble, suggests that future therapies might be more targeted with a better understanding of these mechanisms.

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