The 100 Most Cited Articles in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Bibliometric Analysis

March 2025 in “ Medicine ”

Kinan Sawar, Louie Mekani, Alexander Kallabat, Dylan Kato, Geoffrey Potts

androgenetic alopecia AGA hair follicle stem cells minoxidil low-level laser therapy finasteride dutasteride exosome therapy pyrilutamide GT20029 COVID-19 Rogaine Propecia Avodart

TLDR Recent research on androgenetic alopecia focuses on optimizing treatments, with promising new therapies emerging.

This bibliometric analysis evaluates the 100 most cited articles on androgenetic alopecia (AGA) from the past 50 years, highlighting influential studies and trends. The most cited article, "Capturing and profiling adult hair follicle stem cells," has been cited 1,019 times. The United States contributed the most articles, with the University of Pennsylvania leading in contributions. The study reveals a shift towards treatment optimization, with 75% of recent top-cited articles discussing treatments like minoxidil, low-level laser therapy, and finasteride. Emerging treatments such as dutasteride, exosome therapy, pyrilutamide, and GT20029 show promise, with dutasteride being more effective than finasteride. A potential link between AGA and COVID-19 severity is noted, suggesting new research directions. The analysis underscores the global interest in AGA research and emphasizes treatment advancements and emerging therapies.

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Research cited in this study

28 / 28 results

research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update

July 2023 in “JAAD International”

Two drugs, finasteride and minoxidil, are approved for hair loss treatment, but new therapies are being developed.

research Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effects of AGA Drugs by Measuring Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Dihydrotestosterone in Hair

June 2023 in “Clinica Chimica Acta”

Finasteride and dutasteride effectively reduce DHT in hair, which may help evaluate their treatment success for hair loss.

research Precise Scale: A Quantitative Classification for Androgenetic Alopecia and Its Application to Hair Transplantation

June 2023 in “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery”

The PRECISE scale helps estimate how many grafts are needed for hair transplant based on the severity of hair loss.

research What's New in Therapy for Male Androgenetic Alopecia?

2 citations, September 2022 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

research Exosome Therapy in Hair Regeneration: A Literature Review of the Evidence, Challenges, and Future Opportunities

12 citations, April 2022 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology”

Exosome therapy could help with hair loss, but more research is needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness.

research Treatment Options for Androgenetic Alopecia: Efficacy, Side Effects, Compliance, Financial Considerations, and Ethics

17 citations, November 2021 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Combination therapies for androgenetic alopecia work best but can have significant side effects and costs.

research Androgenetic Alopecia and COVID-19: A Review of the Hypothetical Role of Androgens

9 citations, May 2021 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Possible link between androgens and COVID-19 severity; more research needed.

Advances in Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy in Androgenic Alopecia and Hair Loss: Wnt Pathway, Growth Factor, and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Signaling Impact Analysis on Cell Growth and Hair Follicle Development

research Advances in Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy in Androgenic Alopecia and Hair Loss: Wnt Pathway, Growth Factor, and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Signaling Impact Analysis on Cell Growth and Hair Follicle Development

136 citations, May 2019 in “Cells”

Stem cell therapy, particularly using certain types of cells, shows promise for treating hair loss by stimulating hair growth and development, but more extensive trials are needed to confirm these findings.

research Activating Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway for Disease Therapy: Challenges and Opportunities

140 citations, November 2018 in “Pharmacology & Therapeutics”

Using drugs to activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway has potential for treating diseases but also presents challenges.

research A Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma: History, Biology, Mechanism of Action, and Classification

348 citations, July 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Platelet-rich plasma shows promise for skin and hair treatments but needs more research and standardization.

research The Effectiveness of Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

178 citations, April 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy effectively treat hair loss.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review

153 citations, March 2017 in “Endocrine”

Male pattern baldness involves genetics, hormones, and needs better treatments.

Superiority of Dutasteride Over Finasteride in Hair Regrowth and Reversal of Miniaturization in Men With Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Open-Label, Evaluator-Blinded Study

research Superiority of Dutasteride Over Finasteride in Hair Regrowth and Reversal of Miniaturization in Men With Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Open-Label, Evaluator-Blinded Study

33 citations, August 2016 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

Dutasteride is more effective than finasteride at increasing hair count and reversing hair thinning in men with hair loss, but both have similar side effects.

research The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

214 citations, September 2015 in “Stem Cells Translational Medicine”

Platelet-rich plasma injections significantly improved hair regrowth and thickness in patients with hair loss.

research The Effect of Autologous Activated Platelet Rich Plasma Injection on Pattern Hair Loss: Clinical and Histomorphometric Evaluation

183 citations, January 2014 in “BioMed Research International”

AA-PRP injections effectively increase hair count and thickness for male pattern hair loss.

research Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Potential Therapeutic Tool for Promoting Hair Growth

270 citations, March 2012 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Platelet-rich plasma can potentially promote hair growth by stimulating cell growth and increasing certain proteins.

research The 5 Alpha-Reductase Isozyme Family: A Review of Basic Biology and Their Role in Human Diseases

218 citations, December 2011 in “Advances in Urology”

The document concludes that the 5 alpha-reductase enzymes are important in steroid metabolism and related to various human diseases, with inhibitors used to treat conditions like male pattern baldness and prostate issues.

research Evidence-Based Guideline for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women and Men

198 citations, October 2011 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft”

Use minoxidil for hair loss; finasteride and dutasteride for men, dutasteride for women.

research Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride for Male Pattern Hair Loss

185 citations, March 2011 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride for hair loss can cause long-lasting sexual side effects like low libido and erectile dysfunction.

Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

research Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

223 citations, December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.

research A New Classification of Pattern Hair Loss That Is Universal for Men and Women: Basic and Specific (BASP) Classification

125 citations, May 2007 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

The BASP classification is a detailed and accurate way to categorize hair loss in both men and women.

The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

research The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

215 citations, November 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Dutasteride more effective for hair growth, but has more side effects than finasteride.

research Molecular Mechanisms of Androgenetic Alopecia

229 citations, August 2002 in “Experimental Gerontology”

AGA causes hair loss by shrinking hair follicles due to DHT binding, and can be treated with finasteride and minoxidil.

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 Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Frontal Male Pattern Hair Loss

187 citations, June 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride effectively treats frontal hair loss with few side effects.

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.

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

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.

The Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Scalp Skin Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Patients with Male Pattern Baldness

research The Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Scalp Skin Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Patients with Male Pattern Baldness

59 citations, September 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride reduces scalp DHT levels, potentially treating male pattern baldness.

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research Proposed Mechanisms of Low-Level Light Therapy in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

8 citations, October 2020 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

LLLT helps treat hair loss by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and stimulating growth factors.

research Experimental and Early Investigational Drugs for Androgenetic Alopecia

11 citations, July 2017 in “Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs”

New hair loss treatments may include topical medications, injections, and improved transplant methods.

Autologous Concentrated Growth Factors Combined With Topical Minoxidil for the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

research Autologous Concentrated Growth Factors Combined With Topical Minoxidil for the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

4 citations, August 2020 in “Facial plastic surgery & aesthetic medicine”

Combining growth factors with minoxidil improves hair growth more than minoxidil alone.

research Hair Biology and Androgenetic Alopecia

June 2018 in “Advances in Cosmetic Surgery”

Hair loss caused by genetics and hormones; more research needed for treatments.

Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenic Alopecia: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study and Combined Mice Model Experiment

research Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenic Alopecia: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study and Combined Mice Model Experiment

6 citations, March 2021 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

PRP injections promote hair growth and increase hair density in androgenic alopecia.

research Proceedings of the Ninth World Congress for Hair Research 2015

January 2017 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

The 2015 Hair Research Congress concluded that stem cells, maraviroc, and simvastatin could potentially treat Alopecia Areata, topical minoxidil, finasteride, and steroids could treat Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, and PTGDR2 antagonists could also treat alopecia. They also found that low-level light therapy could help with hair loss, a robotic device could assist in hair extraction, and nutrition could aid hair growth. They suggested that Alopecia Areata is an inflammatory disorder, not a single disease, indicating a need for personalized treatments.