Clinical updates in hair

It is now known that there are major differences in the systemic and cellular mechanisms that mediate hair loss in women versus men. The severity or degree of hair loss in women with androgenetic alopecia is usually much less than in men. It is usually assumed that the hormonal basis for androgenetic alopecia in women is the same as in men; that is, the same target tissue-active androgens, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, are being produced systemically to aggravate scalp hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. This article reviews some of the latest findings in androgenetic alopecia for both men and women, along with new and old treatments and drugs, doses, and effectiveness. Research findings indicate that levels of androgen-metabolizing enzymes and receptors differ in the scalps of women versus men, which may be important in formulating more effective hair growth treatments in the future.