Androgenetic, Diffuse, and Senescent Alopecia in Men: Practical Evaluation and Management

January 2015 in “ Current problems in dermatology ”

Fernanda Torres

androgenetic alopecia diffuse baldness senescent alopecia dihydrotestosterone DHT hair follicle miniaturization oral finasteride topical minoxidil dutasteride vitamins minerals herbal compounds laser therapy light therapy hair transplant surgery androgenic alopecia Propecia Rogaine hair transplant

From the encyclopedia

Dutasteride →

Heavy duty finasteride that comes with higher risks

Finasteride →

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This review discusses the evaluation and management of male baldness and related conditions, but reports no new clinical results.

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

The document from 2015 discusses male baldness, including androgenetic alopecia, diffuse baldness, and senescent alopecia, focusing on evaluation methods and management strategies. It highlights the role of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in hair follicle miniaturization and the impact of genetics and environmental factors on hair loss. The document notes the association of male baldness with increased risks of coronary heart disease and prostate cancer. It details FDA-approved treatments like oral finasteride and topical minoxidil, which are effective in preventing baldness progression and improving hair density. Other treatments such as dutasteride, vitamins, minerals, herbal compounds, laser and light therapy, and hair transplant surgery are also discussed, though some lack strong evidence. The document calls for more research on these therapies, acknowledging that even senescent alopecia in the elderly may respond to treatments like finasteride.

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Research cited in this study

18 / 18 results

research Association of Androgenetic Alopecia With Mortality From Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Disease

49 citations , May 2013 in “JAMA Dermatology”

This study found that moderate to severe androgenetic alopecia is an independent predictor of increased mortality risk from diabetes mellitus and heart disease in both sexes.

research Androgenetic Alopecia and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

34 citations , February 2013 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This meta-analysis found that vertex pattern androgenetic alopecia was associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, while other androgenetic alopecia patterns did not show a significant link.

research Male Pattern Baldness and Its Association with Coronary Heart Disease: A Meta-Analysis

26 citations , January 2013 in “BMJ Open”

This meta-analysis reports that vertex baldness is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, particularly in younger men, while no significant link was found for frontal baldness.

research Combination Therapy With Finasteride and Low-Dose Dutasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

17 citations , June 2012 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that adding low-dose dutasteride to ongoing finasteride treatment significantly improved hair density in a patient with androgenetic alopecia.

research Promising Therapies for Treating and Preventing Androgenic Alopecia

36 citations , June 2012 in “PubMed”

This review discusses various treatments for androgenetic alopecia, including minoxidil, finasteride, dutasteride, ketoconazole, and experimental options, but reports limited clinical trial evidence for efficacy.

research How Real Is Senescent Alopecia? A Histopathologic Approach

37 citations , December 2010 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

In this study, old age was concluded not to be a significant cause of hair loss, with most cases in the elderly appearing to be androgen-driven.

research Molecular Basis of Androgenetic Alopecia: From Androgen to Paracrine Mediators Through Dermal Papilla

122 citations , November 2010 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This study found that increased expression of type II 5α-reductase, androgen receptors, and Hic-5/ARA55 in dermal papilla cells upregulates androgen sensitivity, playing a key role in androgenetic alopecia pathogenesis.

research Efficacy and Safety of Finasteride Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

152 citations , October 2010 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that daily oral finasteride may increase hair count and improve hair appearance assessments in men with androgenetic alopecia, but it also appears to raise the risk of sexual dysfunction.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial of a Novel Formulation of 5% Minoxidil Topical Foam Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

research A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial of a Novel Formulation of 5% Minoxidil Topical Foam Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

142 citations , August 2007 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that a new 5% minoxidil foam formulation significantly increased hair counts and improved hair loss condition in men with androgenetic alopecia over 16 weeks compared to placebo.

research A New Classification of Pattern Hair Loss That Is Universal for Men and Women: Basic and Specific (BASP) Classification

125 citations , May 2007 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study describes the development of the BASP classification system, providing a universal and systematic approach for classifying pattern hair loss in both men and women.

The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

research The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

215 citations , November 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that dutasteride increased scalp hair growth in men with male pattern hair loss, particularly at a 2.5 mg dose, and was more effective than finasteride over 24 weeks.

research Genetic Basis of Male Pattern Baldness

191 citations , December 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Male pattern baldness is largely genetic, linked to the androgen receptor gene, and may relate to certain health issues.

research Polymorphism of the Androgen Receptor Gene Is Associated with Male Pattern Baldness

299 citations , March 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that specific genetic markers near the androgen receptor gene are significantly more common in men with male pattern baldness, suggesting a genetic component in its development.

research The Hair Follicle: A Paradoxical Androgen Target Organ

66 citations , January 2000 in “Hormone Research in Paediatrics”

This study suggests that the paradoxical effects of androgens on hair growth are due to differential gene expression in hair follicles, possibly established during embryogenesis.

Changes in Hair Weight and Hair Count in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia After Application of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil, Placebo, or No Treatment

research Changes in Hair Weight and Hair Count in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia After Application of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil, Placebo, or No Treatment

115 citations , November 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, men using 2% and 5% minoxidil solutions experienced a significant increase in hair weight for 96 weeks compared to placebo, with effects diminishing after treatment cessation.

Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia