Psychological Effect, Pathophysiology, and Management of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men
October 2005
in “Mayo Clinic Proceedings”
TLDR Minoxidil and finasteride can slow hair loss and stimulate regrowth, but won't restore all lost hair or reverse complete baldness.
This article from 2005 discusses androgenetic alopecia in men, including its epidemiology, psychosocial and physical importance, pathophysiology, and management. The article discusses the psychological effects, pathophysiology, and management of androgenetic alopecia in men. Management options include doing nothing, pharmacotherapy, hair transplantation, and cosmetic aids. Two FDA-approved pharmacotherapies, minoxidil and finasteride, are available for treatment. Minoxidil is a potassium channel opener that appears to increase the duration of the anagen phase and reverse miniaturization of hair follicles. Finasteride selectively inhibits the type 2 5α-reductase isoenzyme responsible for converting testosterone to DHT, reducing serum and scalp DHT concentrations by approximately 60% to 70%. Both medications retard or stop hair loss and stimulate some hair regrowth, but neither restores all lost hair or reverses complete baldness.
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