Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update
December 2023
in “JAAD International”
TLDR Two drugs, finasteride and minoxidil, are approved for hair loss treatment, but new therapies are being developed.
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common form of hair loss influenced by genetics and sensitivity to androgens. Currently, only two FDA-approved drugs exist for its treatment: finasteride and minoxidil. Finasteride reduces dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels and slows hair loss, but prolonged use can lead to adverse effects. Minoxidil promotes hair growth by dilating scalp blood vessels, but managing AGA remains challenging due to poor medication adherence and side effects from extended use. Other treatments include low-level light/laser therapy (LLLT), hair follicle transplantation, off-label medications like Dutasteride, phytomedicine, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes, and microneedling. Camouflage techniques can also be used to disguise hair loss. The discovery of SRD5A2's structure has opened new possibilities for developing more effective AGA treatments, including clascoterone, Janus kinase inhibitors, and stem cell therapies.
View this study on jaadinternational.org →
Cited in this study
research Comparison of Oral Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Dutasteride for Treating Androgenetic Alopecia
research All That a Dermatotrichologist Needs to Know About Hair Camouflage: A Comprehensive Review
research Exosome Therapy in Hair Regeneration: A Literature Review of the Evidence, Challenges, and Future Opportunities
Exosome therapy shows promise as a regenerative treatment for alopecia, with preclinical studies indicating clear benefits for hair loss. However, clinical trials have yet to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of exosome therapy specifically for alopecia. The review highlights the need for further research to address gaps in knowledge, including safety, exosome source, and optimal delivery mechanisms and dosages.
research Role of Low-Level Light Therapy in Androgenetic Alopecia
research Topical Finasteride for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: Is It a Safe and Effective Alternative?
research Platelet-rich plasma as a therapy for androgenic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
PRP treatment increases hair density and thickness in androgenetic alopecia by 79%.
research Advances in Hair Restoration
New treatments for hair loss could involve using stem cells and a process called the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway to stimulate hair growth.
research Treatment options for androgenetic alopecia: Efficacy, side effects, compliance, financial considerations, and ethics
research A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of United States Food and Drug Administration-Approved, Home-use, Low-Level Light/Laser Therapy Devices for Pattern Hair Loss: Device Design and Technology.
FDA-approved low-level light/laser therapy devices can significantly increase hair density in people with pattern hair loss.
research Three-Dimensional Proteome-Wide Scale Screening for the 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride: Identification of a Novel Off-Target
Finasteride may affect PNMT, causing side effects.
research Microneedling in androgenetic alopecia; comparing two different depths of microneedles
Deeper microneedling boosts hair growth, with 0.6mm needles and minoxidil being most effective.
research An appraisal of laboratory models of androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review
Better hair loss models needed for research.
research Micro needling: A novel therapeutic approach for androgenetic alopecia, A Review of Literature
Microneedling may help hair loss, but needs more research.
research Structure of human steroid 5α-reductase 2 with the anti-androgen drug finasteride
Finasteride irreversibly affects human steroid 5α-reductase 2, providing insight into its catalytic mechanism and disease-related mutations.
research Clascoterone as a novel treatment for androgenetic alopecia
Clascoterone may be a promising treatment for hair loss.
research Current advances in stem cell-based therapies for hair regeneration
Stem cell therapies show promise for hair regrowth but face production and application challenges.
research Examining the Safety and Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Review of the Literature
Low-level laser therapy safely and effectively improves hair growth and coverage for male and female pattern hair loss.
research The effectiveness of combination therapies for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Combination therapies work better than single treatments for hair loss.
research The role of mutations on gene AR, in androgenetic alopecia syndrome
research A study on the efficacy of microneedling with minoxidil solution versus microneedling with hair multivitamin solution for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia
research Finasteride and Its Potential for the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss: Evidence to Date
Finasteride shows promise for female hair loss, but more research needed.
research Exosomes: A New Effective Non-Surgical Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia?
research Pattern hair loss: Assessment of inflammation and fibrosis on histologic sections
Inflammation and fibrosis are not significantly different in pattern hair loss compared to controls.
research Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia
PRP therapy increases hair density for androgenetic alopecia.
research Exosome for hair regeneration: From bench to bedside
research Physiopathology and current treatments of androgenetic alopecia: Going beyond androgens and anti‐androgens
Hair loss treatments work better with lifestyle changes.
research An overview of herbal alternatives in androgenetic alopecia
Herbal alternatives like saw palmetto and green tea may offer safe, effective treatment for hormonal hair loss.
research Discovery of Natural Steroid 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors
Natural herbal compounds might treat certain medical conditions by reducing DHT levels, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and safety.
research The efficacy and safety of dutasteride compared with finasteride in treating men with androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Dutasteride more effectively treats hair loss than finasteride, but may increase risk of altered libido.
research Randomized controlled trial on a PRP-like cosmetic, biomimetic peptides based, for the treatment of alopecia areata
The PRP-like cosmetic with biomimetic peptides is potentially effective and safe for treating alopecia areata.
research Platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: A review of the literature and proposed treatment protocol
PRP shows promise for hair loss treatment, with three initial monthly injections and maintenance every 3-6 months.
research Cortexolone 17α-Propionate (Clascoterone) is an Androgen Receptor Antagonist in Dermal Papilla Cells In Vitro
Clascoterone may be an effective topical treatment for hair loss.
research Efficacy of non-surgical treatments for androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Low level laser therapy works best for hair loss, followed by PRP, finasteride, and minoxidil.
research Minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia
Minoxidil helps treat pattern hair loss in both men and women.
research Genetic and molecular aspects of androgenetic alopecia
research A Systematic Review of Topical Finasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men and Women.
research Minoxidil Promotes Hair Growth through Stimulation of Growth Factor Release from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
Minoxidil boosts hair growth by triggering growth factor release from specific stem cells.
research 5α-Reductase isozymes and aromatase mRNA levels in plucked hair from young women with female pattern hair loss
Higher enzyme levels found in women with hair loss, suggesting hormone imbalance.
research Meta-Analysis on Evidence of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia
PRP treatment helps hair growth and density with 70.7% success, but more research needed.
research Adverse effects with finasteride 5 mg/day for patterned hair loss in premenopausal women
Taking 5 mg/day finasteride can cause side effects in women with hair loss, but these are usually mild and fade over time, making the treatment beneficial in the long run.
research Minoxidil downregulates Interleukin-1 alpha gene expression in HaCaT cells
Minoxidil may help treat hair loss by reducing inflammation-related gene activity in skin cells.
research A Novel Multi-Targeting Approach to Treating Hair Loss, Using Standardized Nutraceuticals.
A new supplement may treat hair loss by targeting multiple causes like inflammation and stress.
research Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment.
The document concludes that hair loss has many causes and treatments vary, including medication for pattern baldness and addressing underlying issues for other types.
research The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy effectively treat hair loss.
research Standardization of SMP procedure and its impact on outcome
research Hair camouflage: A comprehensive review
Hair camouflage offers various options for hair loss, helping reduce psychological impact.
research Dutasteride in Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update
Dutasteride is becoming a popular hair loss treatment, proving more effective than finasteride with similar side effects.
research Low-level laser therapy as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia
Low-level laser therapy may improve hair regrowth and thickness for androgenetic alopecia, but more research is needed.
research Hair camouflage: A comprehensive review
Various hair camouflage options help people with hair loss improve appearance.
research Differential Expression between Human Dermal Papilla Cells from Balding and Non-Balding Scalps Reveals New Candidate Genes for Androgenetic Alopecia
New genes found linked to balding, may help develop future treatments.
research The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Platelet-rich plasma injections significantly improved hair regrowth and thickness in patients with hair loss.
research The Inhibitory Effect of Scutellaria baicalensis Extract and Its Active Compound, Baicalin, on the Translocation of the Androgen Receptor with Implications for Preventing Androgenetic Alopecia
Scutellaria baicalensis extract and baicalin may help prevent hair loss.
research Androgenetic alopecia
Various treatments exist for hair loss, but more research is needed for better options.
research Female pattern alopecia: current perspectives
Female pattern hair loss is caused by multiple factors and while treatments like topical minoxidil, hormone therapy, and low-level light therapy can help, none can fully cure it.
research A randomized evaluator blinded study of effect of microneedling in androgenetic alopecia: A pilot study
research Androgen receptor gene polymorphisms and risk for androgenetic alopecia: a meta-analysis
G allele of AR Stul polymorphism linked to higher hair loss risk, especially in white people.
research The 5 Alpha-Reductase Isozyme Family: A Review of Basic Biology and Their Role in Human Diseases
The document concludes that the 5 alpha-reductase enzymes are important in steroid metabolism and related to various human diseases, with inhibitors used to treat conditions like male pattern baldness and prostate issues.
research Gene-wide association study between the aromatase gene (CYP19A1) and female pattern hair loss
Aromatase gene variation may increase female hair loss risk.
research Kenogen in Female Androgenetic Alopecia
Kenogen increases with hair loss in women.
research Androgens and alopecia
Male hormones, particularly DHT, are linked to male pattern hair loss, and treatments like finasteride can help, but they don't work for postmenopausal women's hair loss, which may have different causes.
research The prevalence and types of androgenetic alopecia in Korean men and women
AGA more common in men, Koreans have lower rates and unique patterns.
research ANTIANDROGEN THERAPY IN DERMATOLOGY
Antiandrogens can help treat skin conditions like acne and excessive hair in women when used carefully.
research Classification of the types of androgenetic alopecia (common baldness) occurring in the female sex
Common baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by a combination of genetic factors and hormones called androgens.
Related
research Pharmacological therapeutics in androgenetic alopecia
research Efficacy of non-surgical treatments for androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Low level laser therapy works best for hair loss, followed by PRP, finasteride, and minoxidil.
research Combined treatment with oral finasteride and topical minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia: a randomized and comparative study in Chinese patients
Finasteride and minoxidil together work best for male hair loss.
research A New Topical Formulation of Minoxidil and Finasteride Improves Hair Growth in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia
MorrF improves hair growth better than minoxidil alone.
research Finasteride in The Treatment of Female Androgenic Alopecia
Finasteride may help postmenopausal women with hair loss but is not effective for all and should be used cautiously in premenopausal women.
research Use of Finasteride in the Treatment of Men With Androgenetic Alopecia (Male Pattern Hair Loss)
Finasteride effectively improves hair growth and slows hair loss in men with male pattern baldness.
research Advances in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia: a brief review of finasteride studies.
Finasteride is effective in growing hair and stopping hair loss in men with mild to moderate alopecia.
research Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia
Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.