Assessing and treating androgenetic alopecia

The definition of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) may be problematic but the diagnosis tends to be simple. By the age of 50 years, at least 50% of men and 25% of women will have lost cosmetically significant amounts of hair due to the aging process. This hair loss occurs from puberty onwards and increases in prevalence until, at 80 years of age, it affects 80% of men. AGA is, therefore, the most common cause of baldness, and some argue that it should be called age-related hair loss to distinguish it from a disease. It can cause significant psychosocial impact, usually in circumstances where it is deemed an inappropriate appearance in terms of cultural norms for age or gender. The good news for sufferers is that treatments that produce a degree of benefit are now becoming available.