ABSTRACT
Hair disorders are common in clinical practice and depending upon social and ethnic norms, it can cause significant psychosocial distress. Hair growth, cycling and density are regulated by many endogenous factors, mainly circulating hormones. Thus, diseases affecting the endocrine system can cause varied changes in physiological hair growth and cycling. Diagnosis and treatment of these disorders require a multidisciplinary approach involving a dermatologist, gynecologist and an endocrinologist. In this review, we briefly discuss the influence of hormones on the hair cycle and hair changes in various endocrine disorders.
ABSTRACT
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is one of the commonest reasons for dermatological consultation. Over the last few years our understanding of the pathophysiology of AGA has improved and this has paved way for better diagnostic and therapeutic options. Recent research has dwelled on the role of stem cells in the pathophysiology of AGA and has also identified newer genetic basis for the condition. Dermoscopy/trichoscopy has emerged as a useful diagnostic tool for AGA. While the major treatment options continue to be topical minoxidil, systemic Finasteride and hair transplantations, newer modalities are under investigation. Specific diagnostic and treatment recommendations have also been developed on evidence based principles. This article reviews the recent concepts in relation to AGA. With regards to the pathophysiology we have tried to stress on recent knowledge of the molecular and genetic basis of AGA. We have emphasized on an evidence based approach for treatment and diagnosis.
Subject(s)
5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Alopecia/diagnosis , Alopecia/drug therapy , Alopecia/physiopathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Finasteride/therapeutic use , Humans , Male , Minoxidil/therapeutic use , Vasodilator Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Finasteride, an inhibitor of type II 5alpha-reductase, inhibits conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), resulting in a decrease in serum and scalp DHT levels which are believed to be pathogenic in androgenic alopecia. Oral finasteride has been shown to be effective in the treatment of hair loss in men, while its efficacy in women has remained controversial. Herein, we report 10 cases of female patterned hair loss in postmenopausal women treated with 1 mg/day of finasteride.