A Review on Hair Loss and Damage
January 2016
TLDR The article concludes that understanding the causes of hair loss and using continuous treatments like minoxidil and finasteride can help manage it, despite potential side effects.
The 2016 review article examined the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for hair loss. It identified causes such as androgenetic alopecia, infections, drug side effects, and pregnancy, with varying severities from alopecia totalis to alopecia universalis. Diagnostic techniques like the pull test, pluck test, scalp biopsy, and trichoscopy were detailed. Treatments like finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil were noted for their effectiveness in halting hair loss and, to a lesser extent, regrowing hair, with the caveat that they must be used continuously. The FDA has approved minoxidil and finasteride, which have side effects including scalp irritation and sexual dysfunction. The review highlighted the necessity for a thorough understanding of these treatments and their implications for dermatology and trichology.
