A Systematic Review of Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction Following Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatments for Hair Loss

August 2019 in “ Aesthetic Plastic Surgery ”

Paola Rosati, Mauro Barone, Mario Alessandri‐Bonetti, R Giorgino, Vincenzo Panasiti, Rosa Coppola, Vittoradolfo Tambone, Paolo Persichetti

minoxidil finasteride dutasteride phototherapy platelet-rich plasma injection follicular unit transplantation follicular unit extraction Rogaine Propecia PRP

TLDR Both surgical and non-surgical hair loss treatments lack a standard treatment plan and sufficient patient satisfaction data.

In 2019, a systematic review of 30 studies was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical and non-surgical treatments for hair loss, including minoxidil, finasteride, dutasteride, phototherapy, platelet-rich plasma injection, follicular unit transplantation, and follicular unit extraction. The review found no established algorithm for managing patients seeking hair loss solutions from a plastic surgeon. Furthermore, only three studies utilized a patient-reported outcome measurement, indicating a lack of patient satisfaction data in the majority of the studies.

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research Nonshaven Follicular Unit Extraction: A Study of 658 Patients

13 citations , March 2019 in “Annals of Plastic Surgery”

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Patients felt happier with their looks and younger after hair transplant surgery, but their well-being and social life didn't change much.

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Nanofat grafting is better for delicate areas and combining it with lipofilling might improve hair loss treatment.

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research A Randomized, Active- and Placebo-Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Different Doses of Dutasteride Versus Placebo and Finasteride in the Treatment of Male Subjects with Androgenetic Alopecia

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147 citations , January 2014 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

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183 citations , January 2014 in “BioMed Research International”

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7 citations , July 2013 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

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115 citations , September 2012 in “Experimental Dermatology”

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

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research HairMax LaserComb Laser Phototherapy Device in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia

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28 citations , November 2008 in “Facial Plastic Surgery”

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

New 5% minoxidil foam effectively promotes hair growth and is safe for use.

research Dutasteride Improves Male Pattern Hair Loss in a Randomized Study in Identical Twins

39 citations , March 2007 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

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251 citations , November 2006 in “Plastic and reconstructive surgery/PSEF CD journals”

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219 citations , April 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

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146 citations , January 2004 in “Hormones”

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13 citations , October 2002 in “Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods”

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269 citations , September 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

5% minoxidil works better for hair growth and density, with minor irritation.

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56 citations , January 2001 in “Dermatology”

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research The Biology of Hair Follicles

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Hair follicle biology advancements may lead to better hair growth disorder treatments.

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Cells from balding scalps have more androgen receptors than cells from non-balding scalps.

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58 citations , October 1993 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair growth and reduces shedding in women.

research Cultured dermal papilla cells from androgen-dependent human hair follicles (e.g. beard) contain more androgen receptors than those from non-balding areas of scalp

124 citations , April 1992 in “Journal of Endocrinology/Journal of endocrinology”

Beard hair follicles have more androgen receptors than non-balding scalp hair follicles.