Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology· 2021Q1· Review
Treatment options for androgenetic alopecia: Efficacy, side effects, compliance, financial considerations, and ethics
- 391citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2021year
Short summary
A review of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) treatments highlights that while topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, and low-level light therapy are FDA-approved, a broader range of options exist, including PRP and exosome treatments, necessitating careful patient-specific consideration of efficacy, side effects, compliance, and cost.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common hair loss condition, driven by 5-alpha-reductase and DHT, leading to follicle miniaturization.
- FDA-approved AGA treatments include topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, and low-level light therapy.
- A wide array of other treatments are available, including topical/oral agents, hormonal therapies, nutraceuticals, PRP, exosome treatments, and hair transplantation.
- Selecting the optimal AGA treatment requires a comprehensive approach balancing efficacy, side effects, patient compliance, cost, and ethical considerations.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of hair loss consisting of a characteristic receding frontal hairline in men and diffuse hair thinning in women, with frontal hairline retention, and can impact an individual's quality of life. The condition is primarily mediated by 5-alpha-reductase and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which causes hair follicles to undergo miniaturization and shortening of successive anagen cycles. Although a variety of medical, surgical, light-based and nutraceutical treatment options are available to slow or reverse the progression of AGA, it can be challenging to select appropriate therapies for this chronic condition. AIMS: To highlight treatment options for androgenetic alopecia taking into consideration the efficacy, side effect profiles, practicality of treatment (compliance), and costs to help clinicians offer ethically appropriate treatment regimens to their patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted using electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, EBSCO) and textbooks, in addition to the authors' and other practitioners' clinical experiences in treating androgenetic alopecia, and the findings are presented here. RESULTS: Although topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, and low-level light therapy are the only FDA-approved therapies to treat AGA, they are just a fraction of the treatment options available, including other oral and topical modalities, hormonal therapies, nutraceuticals, PRP and exosome treatments, and hair transplantation. DISCUSSION: Androgenetic alopecia therapy remains challenging as treatment selection involves ethical, evidence-based decision-making and consideration of each individual patient's needs, compliance, budget, extent of hair loss, and aesthetic goals, independent of potential financial benefits to the practitioners.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021 · DOI ↗
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Field: Urology
UrologyMedicine