The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences
Abstract
Androgenic alopecia (AGA), also known as male and female pattern baldness, is the loss of hair on the scalp for both men and women. The onset of hair loss for men suffering from this condition can occur as early as their teens or early 20s. Symptoms include a receding hairline and gradual disappearance of hair at the vertex and frontal scalp. When women have female pattern baldness (FPB), their hair doesn’t appear thinning until they reach their 40s or older. Generally, women experience a thinning of the hair over the whole scalp, with the most extensive hair loss at the vertex. The FDA-approved hair loss treatments finasteride and minoxidil topical are often capable of halting and even reversing hair loss when examined over the course of many treatments. Other medications that have shown effectiveness in treating hair loss have yet to be approved by the FDA, either due to a lack of evidence showing their effectiveness or because of concerns about side effects. The main disadvantage of using hair loss drugs is having to take them continuously in order to maintain their benefits and the intake of finasteride causing sexual functional disorders. For those who want to avoid the risk of sexual function disorders, there are other alternatives to these two drugs, such as low-level light therapy, platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), and hair transplant. Even though there is no cure for hair loss, this study discusses a number of treatments that are invasive or non-invasive, and the patient should consult with their doctor before beginning any treatment.
Recommended Citation
Aminova, M. (2022). Can Androgenetic Alopecia be Reversed and What Are the Effective Treatments?. The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences, 15(2), 27-35. Retrieved from https://touroscholar.touro.edu/sjlcas/vol15/iss2/6
