Androgenetic Alopecia: Causes, Treatments, and Genetic Factors

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common form of hair loss caused by heredity and hormones, affecting up to 80% of Caucasian men by age 80 and up to 40% of women over age 70. While the role of genetics in predicting AGA progression is well-established, specific genes directly linked to the disease have yet to be identified. The first-line pharmacologic recommendation for both men and women patients with AGA is topical minoxidil, which has been proven to slow hair loss in AGA compared to a placebo treatment. Other treatments, including 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride, hormone modulators like spironolactone, hair transplantation, and low-level light therapy (LLLT), have shown varying degrees of effectiveness, but more research is needed to establish their true efficacy and potential side effects. Research related to AGA includes proposed treatments and the genetic/genomic targets involved in the disease.