Hair Loss

The 1989 document by Karen E. Burke, MD, PhD, addressed the distressing issue of hair loss, affecting a significant portion of the population, including two-thirds of men experiencing balding. It described the normal hair growth cycle and the various pathological and physiological causes of hair loss, such as alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease, and hair loss due to drug effects, endocrine disorders, postpartum changes, or oral contraceptive use. The document also discussed the prevalence of male pattern baldness, which is hereditary and linked to androgen levels, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It highlighted the effectiveness of minoxidil in a large-scale clinical trial with over 2,300 participants, particularly in younger men with recent onset of balding. Surgical options like hair transplantation, scalp reduction, and soft tissue expansion were also detailed, with an emphasis on the psychological impact of hair loss and the societal value placed on hair.