Exploring Androgenic Alopecia: Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Advances

Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common form of hair loss, marked by a receding hairline in men and diffuse thinning in women, caused by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which leads to hair follicle miniaturization. Several treatments, including medical, surgical, light-based, and nutraceutical options, aim to slow or reverse AGA, but selecting the right therapy can be challenging due to the chronic nature of the condition. FDA-approved treatments like topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, and low-level light therapy (LLLT) are standard, but other options such as oral and topical therapies, hormonal treatments, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), exosome therapies, and hair transplantation are also available. This review evaluates treatment options for AGA, considering effectiveness, side effects, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. It highlights recent studies on available and emerging therapies, including combination treatments. While PRP and LLLT show potential.