Pharmacologic Management of Pattern Hair Loss

May 2004 in “ Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America ”

Robert B. Haber

pattern hair loss male pattern hair loss female pattern hair loss androgens hair follicles antiandrogens finasteride topical minoxidil Propecia Rogaine

TLDR Treat pattern hair loss with finasteride and topical minoxidil.

This document from 19 years ago discusses the pharmacologic management of pattern hair loss, specifically male and female pattern hair loss. The article explains that pattern hair loss is caused by the actions of androgens on susceptible hair follicles and is often inherited. The article provides information on the prevalence of pattern hair loss in both men and women and emphasizes the need for unique approaches to diagnosis and management. The document explores the role of androgens in hair loss and the use of antiandrogens, such as finasteride, to treat it. The document also discusses the use of topical minoxidil as a treatment option. Studies are cited to support the efficacy and safety of these treatments.

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48 / 48 results

research Treatment of Hyperandrogenic Alopecia in Women

108 citations , January 2003 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Flutamide may slightly improve hair loss in women, but finasteride does not work.

research Shortness of Breath: An Uncommon Side-Effect of Cyproterone Acetate in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

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Cyproterone acetate can cause rare shortness of breath in women.

research Androgens and Alopecia

165 citations , December 2002 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology”

Male hormones, particularly DHT, are linked to male pattern hair loss, and treatments like finasteride can help, but they don't work for postmenopausal women's hair loss, which may have different causes.

research Hair Loss in Women with Hyperandrogenism: Four Cases Responding to Finasteride

92 citations , November 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride improves hair loss in women with hyperandrogenism.

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4 citations , November 2002 in “BJUI”

Finasteride treats hair loss but may affect prostate cancer detection.

research The Potential Role of Minoxidil in the Hair Transplantation Setting

31 citations , October 2002 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Minoxidil helps stabilize hair loss, increase density, and reduce shedding after hair transplant surgery.

research A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

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

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

research Fluridil, A Rationally Designed Topical Agent For Androgenetic Alopecia: First Clinical Experience

17 citations , August 2002 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Fluridil safely promotes hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss

86 citations , July 2002 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

FPHL is a common, age-related, genetic hair loss with unclear causes and limited treatment options.

research Effects of Minoxidil 2% vs. Cyproterone Acetate Treatment on Female Androgenetic Alopecia: A Controlled, 12-Month Randomized Trial

149 citations , June 2002 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil works better for female hair loss, but cyproterone reduces scalp oiliness and causes menstrual issues.

research A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Effectiveness of Botanically Derived Inhibitors of 5-Alpha-Reductase in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

68 citations , April 2002 in “Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine”

Natural 5AR inhibitors effectively improve mild to moderate hair loss in men.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss

226 citations , September 2001 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss in women is genetic, diagnosed by examination and biopsy, and treated with minoxidil, finasteride, or transplantation.

research Towards a Molecular Understanding of Hair Loss and Its Treatment

236 citations , July 2001 in “Trends in Molecular Medicine”

Future hair loss treatments should aim to extend hair growth, reactivate resting follicles, reverse shrinkage, and possibly create new follicles, with gene therapy showing promise.

research Hair Density, Hair Diameter, and the Prevalence of Female Pattern Hair Loss

234 citations , February 2001 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

FPHL affects hair density and diameter, causing visible hair loss in older women.

research Incidence of Female Androgenetic Alopecia (Female Pattern Alopecia)

89 citations , January 2001 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Hair loss in women is common, starts in late 20s, and affects 30% of women over 50.

research Role of Androgens in Female-Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia, Either Alone or Associated with Other Symptoms of Hyperandrogenism

47 citations , December 2000 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

Androgens significantly affect female hair loss, and hormonal treatments may help.

research Investigation of Topical Application of Procyanidin B-2 from Apple to Identify Its Potential Use as a Hair Growing Agent

32 citations , December 2000 in “Phytomedicine”

Apple-derived procyanidin B-2 can safely promote hair growth in men.

research Lack of Efficacy of Finasteride in Postmenopausal Women with Androgenetic Alopecia

239 citations , November 2000 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride doesn't effectively treat hair loss in postmenopausal women.

research Male Pattern Hair Loss: Prevention Rather Than Regrowth

6 citations , October 2000 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Preventing hair loss is more effective than regrowth; oral finasteride is a realistic option.

research Medical Management of Male Pattern Hair Loss

19 citations , August 2000 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil and finasteride can slow or halt hair loss, but may have side effects.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Treatments and Efficacy

30 citations , January 2000 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective FDA-approved treatments for androgenetic alopecia.

research Measuring Reversal of Hair Miniaturization in Androgenetic Alopecia by Follicular Counts in Horizontal Sections of Serial Scalp Biopsies: Results of Finasteride 1mg Treatment of Men and Postmenopausal Women

145 citations , December 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Finasteride 1mg helps reverse hair miniaturization in men and postmenopausal women.

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”

Minoxidil increases hair weight and count temporarily in men with hair loss.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations , September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.

research Minoxidil Increases 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 5α-Reductase Activity in Cultured Human Dermal Papilla Cells from Balding Scalp

34 citations , February 1999 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Minoxidil boosts enzymes that help hair growth.

research A Model for the Turnover of Dihydrotestosterone in the Presence of the Irreversible 5α-Reductase Inhibitors GI198745 and Finasteride

60 citations , December 1998 in “Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics”

Both drugs lower DHT levels, with GI198745 being more effective.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

581 citations , October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.

research Male Pattern Hair Loss: Current Understanding

59 citations , August 1998 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Genetics and hormones cause hair loss; finasteride treats it safely.

research Ketoconazole Shampoo: Effect of Long-Term Use in Androgenic Alopecia

92 citations , January 1998 in “Dermatology”

Ketoconazole shampoo improves hair growth and reduces oil similarly to minoxidil in male pattern hair loss.

research Quality of Life Issues in Male Pattern Hair Loss

25 citations , January 1998 in “Dermatology”

Male pattern hair loss negatively affects quality of life, but drug treatments can help.

research Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

416 citations , September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.

research Effects of Finasteride, a Type 2 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor, on Fetal Development in the Rhesus Monkey (Macaca Mulatta)

67 citations , February 1997 in “Teratology”

Finasteride, when given in high oral doses to pregnant monkeys, caused genital abnormalities in male fetuses, but not in female fetuses or those exposed to intravenous finasteride.

research Clinical Updates in Hair

19 citations , January 1997 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Most treatments for hair loss in 1997 were not effective for most people, and maintaining hair growth was difficult.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Autosomal Dominant Disorder

80 citations , January 1995 in “The American Journal of Medicine”

Hair loss in androgenetic alopecia is caused by genetic factors and androgen excess, and can be treated with combined therapies.

research Personality Disorders and Psychopathologic Symptoms in Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia

43 citations , July 1994 in “Archives of Dermatology”

People with androgenetic alopecia have more personality disorders and mental health symptoms; treatment may help.

research Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia on Women: Comparisons with Balding Men and Female Control Subjects

222 citations , October 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss affects women's mental health more than men's, causing anxiety, low self-esteem, and social insecurity.

research The Importance of Adequate Serum Ferritin Levels During Oral Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Treatment of Diffuse Androgen-Dependent Alopecia in Women

83 citations , April 1992 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

Having enough iron improves the effectiveness of a specific hair loss treatment in women.

research Psychological Characteristics of Women with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Controlled Study

58 citations , September 1991 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Women with AGA often face anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem; psychological support is important.

research Natural Progression of Male Pattern Baldness in Young Men

71 citations , May 1991 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Young men with male pattern baldness lose hair density over time without treatment.

research Quantitative Estimation of Hair Growth: Androgenetic Alopecia in Women and the Effect of Minoxidil

85 citations , December 1990 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil promotes hair growth in women with early-stage alopecia.

research Topical Minoxidil Used Before and After Hair Transplantation

27 citations , January 1989 in “The Journal of dermatologic surgery and oncology”

Using topical minoxidil before and after hair transplant surgery can reduce shedding and improve hair regrowth.

research Use of Topical Minoxidil as a Possible Adjunct to Hair Transplant Surgery

28 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil may help hair growth after transplant surgery.

research Long-Term Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil in Male Pattern Baldness

41 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Topical minoxidil effectively treats male pattern baldness and prevents hair loss.

research Topical Minoxidil in Early Androgenetic Alopecia

44 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Using minoxidil on balding scalps can stimulate hair regrowth and increase blood flow. It's an effective treatment for early hair loss.

research Safety and Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia

67 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair growth and prevents hair loss in androgenetic alopecia. It's safe and effective.

research Topical Minoxidil in Early Male Pattern Baldness

138 citations , August 1985 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil promotes hair growth in male pattern baldness.

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666 citations , September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Common baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by a combination of genetic factors and hormones called androgens.

research Biological Activity of Antiandrogens

51 citations , June 1970 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Antiandrogens may help treat conditions like excessive hair growth, prostate tumors, male baldness, and acne by blocking male hormone effects.

1 / 1 results

research Topical and Intralesional Therapies for Alopecia Areata

36 citations , May 2011 in “Dermatologic therapy”

No treatments fully cure or prevent alopecia areata; some help but have side effects or need more research.