An Update on Hair Restoration

January 2015 in “ Journal of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery ”

David Chan, Yadranko Ducic

From the encyclopedia

Finasteride →

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Dutasteride →

Heavy duty finasteride that comes with higher risks

Studysummary This review discusses techniques for harvesting follicular units, medical treatments for androgenetic alopecia, and potential future advancements in hair restoration therapy, but it reports no new clinical results.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The 2015 document reviewed advancements in hair restoration, including harvesting techniques like the strip method and follicular unit extraction (FUE), which was gaining popularity for its reduced scarring. It discussed FDA-approved medications finasteride and minoxidil for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA), as well as the more potent, non-FDA-approved dutasteride and ketoconazole shampoo for hair growth. Adjunctive treatments such as low-level light therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) were also mentioned for potentially improving graft survival and hair density. The document concluded that hair transplantation, particularly FUT and FUE, was the gold standard for hair loss treatment, with advancements like the NeoGraft machine and ARTAS robot improving graft harvesting. It suggested that stem cell therapy and gene therapy could be future treatments for severe baldness and AGA by reactivating dormant hair follicles.

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Research cited in this study

28 / 28 results

research Emerging Therapies for Androgenetic Alopecia

5 citations , September 2015 in “PubMed”

This review discusses emerging treatments for androgenetic alopecia, exploring medical, procedural, and surgical options, but reports no new clinical results and highlights the need for further research.

research Systematic Review of the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Aesthetic Dermatology

113 citations , July 2015 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This review discusses the cosmetic applications of platelet-rich plasma in dermatology, highlighting its potential benefits and the need for more controlled studies.

research Promising Alternative Clinical Uses of Prostaglandin F2α Analogs: Beyond the Eyelashes

31 citations , January 2015 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This review discusses the potential applications of prostaglandin F2α analogs for certain types of alopecia and hypopigmentation, but reports no new experimental results.

research Progression of Surgical Hair Restoration Techniques

8 citations , January 2015 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

This review discusses the development of surgical hair restoration techniques and highlights the potential of hair follicle cell cloning to address current limitations.

research 5α-Reductase Inhibitors in Androgenetic Alopecia

29 citations , September 2014 in “Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity”

This review discusses the efficacy and safety of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors for treating androgenetic alopecia, noting concerns about sexual side effects, which are typically uncommon and often resolve over time.

research A Review of Medical and Surgical Treatment Options for Androgenetic Alopecia

41 citations , September 2014 in “JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery”

This review discusses current medical and surgical treatments for androgenetic alopecia, highlighting the use of finasteride and minoxidil for men and the role of hair transplantation techniques, without providing new clinical results.

research Effect of Dutasteride 0.5 mg/day in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Recalcitrant to Finasteride

36 citations , June 2014 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study suggests that dutasteride may be a viable alternative for Korean men with androgenetic alopecia who do not respond to finasteride, as it improved hair density and thickness in most participants.

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

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

97 citations , January 2014 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that dutasteride increased hair growth and restoration in men with androgenetic alopecia more effectively than finasteride and was well tolerated over 24 weeks.

research Robotic Hair Restoration: ARTAS System Review

31 citations , November 2013 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This article discusses the use of a robotic system for hair graft harvesting in hair restoration surgery, focusing on its capabilities and the advantages and disadvantages, but it reports no new clinical findings.

research Promotional Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Hair Follicle Reconstitution In Vivo

63 citations , October 2013 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

In this study using a mouse model, the researchers found that platelet-rich plasma significantly increased the number of newly formed hair follicles and decreased the time for hair formation compared to no treatment.

research Follicular Unit Extraction: A Comprehensive Overview of Techniques and Best Practices

41 citations , August 2013 in “Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America”

This article discusses the benefits, techniques, and unique considerations of follicular unit extraction for hair grafting, but reports no new clinical results.

The Efficacy and Safety of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Network Meta-Analysis and Benefit–Risk Assessment of Finasteride and Dutasteride

research The Efficacy and Safety of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Network Meta-Analysis and Benefit–Risk Assessment of Finasteride and Dutasteride

66 citations , June 2013 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

This study reported no significant difference in efficacy or sexual dysfunction risk between 5α-reductase inhibitors and placebo for androgenetic alopecia, suggesting that dutasteride 0.5 mg may be considered pending further research.

research Hair Transplantation in Patients With Inadequate Head Donor Supply Using Nonhead Hair

25 citations , May 2011 in “Annals of Plastic Surgery”

This study reported that follicular unit extraction using nonhead hair sources like the chest or beard may successfully restore hair density and achieve aesthetically pleasing results in severely bald men with limited head donor hair.

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

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

This study found that 94% of healthy men reported low libido and 92% reported erectile dysfunction as persistent sexual side effects after using finasteride for male pattern hair loss, with these effects lasting on average 40 months post-discontinuation.

research An Update on Hair Restoration Therapy

14 citations , July 2009 in “Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery”

This review discusses recent developments in hair restoration, highlighting the continued prominence of follicular unit strip surgery and the growing literature on the relatively new technique of follicular unit extraction, without presenting new clinical results.

research Novel Technique of Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplantation with a Powered Punching Device

16 citations , October 2008 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

In this study, the novel powered FUE method was associated with faster harvesting time and lower graft transection rates compared to manual FUE in male patients with alopecia.

New Methodology and Instrumentation for Follicular Unit Extraction: Lower Follicle Transection Rates and Expanded Patient Candidacy

research New Methodology and Instrumentation for Follicular Unit Extraction: Lower Follicle Transection Rates and Expanded Patient Candidacy

30 citations , June 2008 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

In this study, the SAFE System for follicular unit extraction demonstrated a favorable average follicle transection rate of 6.14% and is accessible for physicians with basic technical skills, showing promise for wider adoption.

research The Current Role of Laser and Light Sources in the Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

68 citations , January 2007 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

This review discusses laser/light treatments for pattern hair loss and reports no clinical validation of current devices; experts recommend physician evaluation to exclude other medical conditions.

research Reversal of Androgenetic Alopecia by Topical Ketoconazole: Relevance of Anti-Androgenic Activity

38 citations , September 2006 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This study evaluated the effect of 2% ketoconazole lotion for androgenetic alopecia, but the results regarding its effectiveness on clinical appearance remained unclear.

research Topical Application of Ketoconazole Stimulates Hair Growth in C3H/HeN Mice

24 citations , April 2005 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that 2% ketoconazole solution stimulated hair growth significantly in a mouse model, suggesting potential benefits for male pattern hair loss.

research Follicular-Unit Hair Grafting

5 citations , September 2003 in “Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery”

This article discusses the follicular-unit grafting technique for hair transplantation and reports no clinical results; the authors highlight its potential for achieving natural-appearing outcomes but note the procedure's complexity.

research Treatment of Hyperandrogenic Alopecia in Women

108 citations , January 2003 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that flutamide at 250 mg daily modestly improved hair thinning in premenopausal women with hyperandrogenic alopecia over one year, while cyproterone acetate and finasteride were not effective.

research Follicular Unit Extraction: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Hair Transplantation

153 citations , August 2002 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This paper introduces the Follicular Unit Extraction procedure and its accompanying FOX Test, finding that 60% of tested patients were suitable candidates for this minimally invasive hair transplantation method.

research The Effects of Finasteride on Scalp Skin and Serum Androgen Levels in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

65 citations , October 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, finasteride doses as low as 0.2 mg per day significantly reduced both scalp skin and serum DHT levels in men with androgenetic alopecia.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

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

This article discusses the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata with finasteride and minoxidil but reports no new clinical results.

Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia