Drug Therapy of Alopecia

September 2015 in “ Der Internist ”

Hans Wolff

androgenetic alopecia alopecia areata finasteride minoxidil JAK inhibitors scarring alopecias systemic therapies laser treatments male pattern hair loss female pattern hair loss Propecia Rogaine

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Finasteride →

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, with potential side effects, and JAK inhibitors show promise for alopecia areata.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document reviewed treatments for different types of alopecia, focusing on androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. It discussed the effectiveness of finasteride for male pattern hair loss, noting its long-term benefits and potential side effects, such as impacts on prostate health and male breast cancer risk. Minoxidil was highlighted as a treatment for both male and female pattern hair loss. The document also explored genetic factors in alopecia areata and the potential of JAK inhibitors as a treatment. Additionally, it covered the management of scarring alopecias, including systemic therapies and laser treatments, providing a comprehensive overview of alopecia management as of 2015.

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Research cited in this study

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