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A Scoping Review of Pharmacotherapy, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (CAM), and Surgical Therapies for Androgenic Alopecia

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of non-scarring alopecia, affecting millions of men and women in the United States (U.S.). This review highlights alternative and complementary treatment options for AGA.

Recent Findings

The treatment regimens for AGA have increased in pharmacotherapeutics, surgical, and complementary (CAM) categories. Each of the different treatment approaches can now be utilized by dermatologists to combat patient hair loss.

Summary

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only two agents to treat AGA: prescription-only, oral finasteride and over-the-counter (OTC), topical minoxidil. Increased availability of therapies claiming hair regrowth properties, coupled with limited pharmacotherapeutic options for AGA, lead patients to seek alternative treatments. Increased awareness of the current evidence supporting complementary and alternative therapies among dermatologists will facilitate appropriate and timely education of AGA patients.

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Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thank Dr. Robert T. Brodell for reviewing their manuscript..

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO, USA

    Colby L. Presley, Tesia C. Kolodziejczyk, Kayd J. Pulsipher & Michelle Militello

  2. Department of Medicine, Tulane University Medical School, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Jalal Maghfour

  3. Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Hope R. Rietcheck

  4. Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Allene Fonseca

  5. College of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA

    Temitope J. Olayinka

  6. Department of Medicine, Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver, CO, USA

    Chandler W. Rundle

  7. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO, USA

    Jacquelyn D. Waller

  8. Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA

    Robert P. Dellavalle

  9. Dermatology Service, US Department of Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center, 1700 N Wheeling St, Rm E1-342, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Robert P. Dellavalle

  10. Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA

    Robert P. Dellavalle

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  1. Colby L. Presley
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Presley, C.L., Kolodziejczyk, T.C., Pulsipher, K.J. et al. A Scoping Review of Pharmacotherapy, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (CAM), and Surgical Therapies for Androgenic Alopecia. Curr Derm Rep 10, 48–54 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13671-021-00331-8

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