Types and Treatment of Hair Loss in Men and Women

January 2020 in “ Plastic and Aesthetic Nursing ”

Emma Coleman

androgenetic alopecia telogen effluvium alopecia areata scarring alopecia minoxidil finasteride corticosteroids immunotherapy PUVA therapy sulfasalazine antibiotics isotretinoin hair transplants Rogaine Propecia PUVA Accutane

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Finasteride →

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

Studysummary This article reviews management strategies and interventions for common hair loss disorders in men and women, highlighting the psychological impact and emphasizing gender-specific approaches, but reports no new clinical results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The 2020 article reviews four common hair loss disorders: androgenetic alopecia (AGA), telogen effluvium (TE), alopecia areata (AA), and scarring alopecia (SA), detailing their characteristics, diagnostic methods, and treatments. AGA, a hormone-dependent condition, is treated with minoxidil and finasteride. TE, often temporary, may not require treatment but can be managed with lifestyle changes and possibly minoxidil. AA, an autoimmune disease, is treated with corticosteroids and immunotherapy. SA, which leads to permanent hair loss, is treated based on the underlying cause. The article also discusses the psychological impact of hair loss and the importance of individualized treatment plans. It includes studies with varying participant numbers, such as 20 for systemic corticosteroids in AA, 9 for topical immunomodulators, 26 for PUVA therapy, and 39 for oral sulfasalazine. Management strategies for scarring alopecia include antibiotics, corticosteroids, and isotretinoin, with hair transplants being a potential option in inactive disease stages. The importance of psychological support and staying informed on evidence-based treatments is emphasized.

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Research cited in this study

25 / 25 results

research Review of Quality of Life Studies in Women with Alopecia

58 citations , January 2018 in “International Journal of Women's Dermatology”

This review discusses the psychological impact of alopecia on women and reports no new clinical findings, highlighting the effect on self-esteem and quality of life.

research A Practical Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of Hair Loss in Children and Adolescents

40 citations , July 2017 in “Frontiers in Medicine”

This review highlights that in children, hair loss can be attributed to diverse conditions like alopecia areata and tinea capitis, and stresses the importance of a holistic approach to diagnosis and management, including psychosocial support due to limited effective treatments.

research Primary Scarring Alopecia: Clinical-Pathological Review of 72 Cases and Literature Review

22 citations , January 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This research analyzed 72 primary scarring alopecia cases in a Barcelona hospital, finding that the majority involved women, with a lymphocytic infiltrate and subacute onset in many cases, leading to stable disease, while neutrophilic cases had more acute episodes.

research Primary Scalp Alopecia: New Histopathological Tools, New Concepts, and a Practical Guide to Diagnosis

14 citations , September 2016 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

This review discusses the classification and diagnosis of primary scalp alopecia, focusing on scarring and non-scarring types, and reports no new clinical results; it emphasizes simplified diagnostic pathways and tissue processing techniques.

research Successful Hair Transplant Outcome in Cicatricial Lichen Planus of the Scalp by Combining Scalp and Beard Hair Along with Platelet Rich Plasma

26 citations , January 2016 in “Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery”

Hair transplant combining scalp and beard hair with PRP was successful for scarring alopecia.

research Proposing a Simpler Classification of Telogen Effluvium

21 citations , January 2016 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This review proposes a new classification for telogen effluvium, identifying three pathogenetic types with a common feature of profuse hair shedding, but reports no new clinical results.

research The Postpartum Telogen Effluvium Fallacy

9 citations , January 2015 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This review found no significant evidence supporting postpartum telogen effluvium as a distinct condition, suggesting its incidence is uncertain and possibly negligible.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review

29 citations , June 2013 in “Journal of the Saudi Society of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery”

This review outlines the mechanisms, clinical features, and management strategies for alopecia areata and presents no new experimental findings.

research Trichoscopy in Alopecias: Diagnosis Simplified

96 citations , January 2013 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This article reviews the use of trichoscopy for diagnosing various types of alopecia and reports no new clinical results; it is suggested as a non-invasive method for diagnosis and monitoring treatment responses.

research Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

11 citations , January 2013 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal”

This article reviews central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, including its various forms and potential multifactorial causes, but provides no new clinical findings.

research British Association of Dermatologists’ Guidelines for the Management of Alopecia Areata 2012

218 citations , April 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This updated guideline from the British Association of Dermatologists discusses current recommendations for managing alopecia areata but reports no new clinical research findings.

research Quality of Life Assessment in Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: Results of a Prospective, Multicenter Study

101 citations , January 2012 in “Annals of Dermatology”

In this study, researchers found that androgenetic alopecia significantly harms quality of life, particularly in younger patients, those with more severe or long-term alopecia, and those who have sought non-medical hair care.

research Alopecia Areata: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Unusual Cases

109 citations , May 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This article reviews the characteristics, associations, and diagnostic criteria for alopecia areata and reports no new clinical findings; the authors note the disease's unpredictable course and variable prognosis.

research Medical and Environmental Risk Factors for the Development of Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

88 citations , April 2011 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found a high prevalence of central hair loss among African American women and associated it with diabetes mellitus type 2, bacterial scalp infections, and hairstyles causing traction.

research S1 Guideline for Diagnostic Evaluation in Androgenetic Alopecia in Men, Women, and Adolescents

151 citations , August 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This guideline reviews the diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia and offers expert consensus recommendations tailored to males, females, and adolescents, but reports no new clinical results.

research Dermoscopy in Female Androgenic Alopecia: Method Standardization and Diagnostic Criteria

129 citations , January 2009 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This study found that trichoscopy criteria can distinguish female androgenic alopecia from chronic telogen effluvium, with specific features achieving 98% diagnostic specificity.

research Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Population-Based Study in 1,005 Subjects

41 citations , January 2009 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This study found that 58% of men aged 30-50 had androgenic alopecia, with disease severity increasing with age and many being candidates for medical treatment or hair transplantation.

research Hair Loss Pattern Due to Chemotherapy-Induced Anagen Effluvium: A Cross-Sectional Observation

53 citations , January 2007 in “Dermatology”

This study suggests that chemotherapy-induced anagen effluvium represents patterned hair loss, with most patients retaining hairlines, but patterns do not vary significantly by age, symptoms, or chemotherapy type.

research Management of Hair Loss

74 citations , April 2005 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This article reviews treatment options for male-pattern and female-pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata, but provides no new clinical results; algorithmic management approaches are included.

research PUVA Treatment of Alopecia Areata Totalis and Universalis: A Retrospective Study

39 citations , April 2003 in “Australasian journal of dermatology”

This study found that PUVA treatment resulted in complete hair regrowth in over half of patients with alopecia areata totalis or universalis, despite a higher treatment failure rate in those with a family history of the condition.

research The Pattern and Profile of Alopecia Areata in Singapore: A Study of 219 Asians

275 citations , November 2002 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that among an Asian population with alopecia areata, commonly first episodes occurred before age 40, with severe cases linked to psychological effects and treatments showing significant regrowth.

research Sulfasalazine for Alopecia Areata

62 citations , April 2002 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, sulfasalazine treatment resulted in cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth in 23% of patients with severe alopecia areata in whom a response could be determined.

Hair Pain (Trichodynia): Frequency and Relationship to Hair Loss and Patient Gender