Emerging Oral Treatments: Oral Minoxidil for Androgenetic Alopecia
Rubina Alves in Techniques in the Evaluation and Management of Hair Diseases, 2021
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a complex disorder of hair loss characterized by progressive follicular miniaturization in a patterned distribution that occurs due to systemic androgen and genetic factors. AGA manifests clinically as male pattern hair loss (MPHL) in men and female pattern hair loss (FPHL) in women. Men develop bitemporal recession, diffuse thinning over the frontal scalp and vertex balding, while women experience increased hair shedding and diffuse thinning over the upper biparietal and/or midfrontal scalp. Topical minoxidil has been widely used as a treatment for AGA for more than 30 years, but lack of efficacy, poor compliance, irritant/allergic contact dermatitis, and cost are common barriers for this therapy. Reported adverse effects were dose-related and include hypertrichosis, pretibial edema, and postural hypotension. Multiple strategies have been explored to improve treatment response without increasing minoxidil dose.
Hirsutism and virilism
David M. Luesley, Mark D. Kilby in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 2016
Hirsutism must be differentiated from hypertrichosis, which is a generalised non-sexual hair growth that may be hereditary, or due to various medications or malignancies. Pivotal to the understanding of hirsutism is an understanding of the metabolism of androgens in the female and how they can affect hair growth. Female androgens are produced by two sources, namely the ovaries and adrenal glands. The severity and duration of hirsutism, as well as the presence of any other symptoms of virilisation. Treatment of hirsutism can prevent or slow further hair growth but will not treat the already existent hair growth, which will need to be physically removed using a variety of methods, including electrolysis, plucking, waxing, shaving and laser removal. Eflornithine is a topical antiprotozoal drug that acts locally to inhibit hair follicle ornithine decarboxylase enzyme that is essential for hair growth, and can result in visible improvement within a few weeks.
Hair and hairy scalp
Richard Ashton, Barbara Leppard in Differential Diagnosis in Dermatology, 2021
Hair is a modified type of keratin produced by the hair matrix. On the scalp, apart from its social and cosmetic function, hair protects the underlying skin from sun damage. Eczema is differentiated from psoriasis on the scalp because it usually covers the entire hairy scalp and is more easily seen than felt. Basal cell carcinoma may occur in the hairy scalp as a persistent area of crusting or hair loss. The hair cycle occurs randomly in each follicle over the scalp so that up to 100 hairs are being lost daily, but in normal circumstances, moulting does not occur. Hair in the wrong place or hair which is coarser or longer than is socially acceptable is regarded as excessive. There are two different patterns, hirsutism and hypertrichosis. Minoxidil can be helpful in boosting growth where there are still active follicles to improve volume but in many patients the hair loss is so advanced that a wig may be necessary.
Localized hypertrichosis due to temporary henna tattoos: Report of three cases
Published in Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2009
Selda Pelin Kartal Durmazlar, Semih Tatlican, Fatma Eskioglu
Temporary henna tattoos have become increasingly widespread. Although reactions to henna tattoo are becoming progressively more common, only one case of a henna pseudotattoo resulting in temporary hypertrichosis has been reported so far. We report three patients who received paint-on henna tattoos on their right upper arm. Approximately 1 week later, localized hypertrichosis was observed over the same area as the tattoo, which resolved spontaneously within 3–4 months. Clinicians should be aware of this complication and it should be noted that treatment is not necessary as hypertrichosis resolves spontaneously.
Successful treatment of Becker’s Nevus with long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG and 755-nm alexandrite laser and review of the literature
Published in Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2018
Adam J. Wulkan, Timothy McGraw, Mark Taylor
Background: Becker’s Nevus is an aesthetically troublesome condition secondary to hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis. Although several lasers have been employed with varying degrees of success, the exact devices and treatment parameters have yet to be elucidated. Objective: To assess the combination Nd:YAG and alexandrite laser as a safe and efficacious treatment for Becker’s Nevus. Methods: In a 20-year-old Fitzpatrick Skin Type IV male, a Becker’s Nevus was treated with six sessions of long-pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser at six-week intervals followed by five sessions of long-pulsed 755 nm alexandrite laser at three-month intervals. Results: This patient experienced a significant reduction in both hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis after these treatment sessions. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: This case supports the use of combination long-pulsed 1064 nm laser and 755 nm laser as a safe and efficacious treatment for Becker’s Nevus.
Paradoxical hypertrichosis and terminal hair change after intense pulsed light hair removal therapy
Published in Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2009
Background: Although complications such as blister formation, erosion, and post-inflammatory hypo- and hyperpigmentation are well-known side effects of intense pulsed light (IPL) photoepilation, little is known about the paradoxical hypertrichosis after therapy. Objective: To report the paradoxically increased hair density and coarseness after IPL photoepilation. Methods: Within a period of 23 months, a total of 991 hirsute female patients were treated with IPL for photoepilation. The IPL system used was the Vasculight-SR, a multifunctional laser and IPL system (Lumenis Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA). The cut-off filters frequently used were 695, 755 and 645 nm. Results: Paradoxical hypertrichosis and terminal hair change were detected after a few sessions of IPL therapy among 51 out of 991 patients. Our serial digital photographs, schematic diagrams, and hair counts before and after treatment confirmed the patients’ claims. The other more commonly seen complications were epidermal burning with blisters, erosion, and crust formation followed by post-inflammatory hypo- and/or hyperpigmentation. Conclusion: Paradoxical hypertrichosis and terminal hair change is a common complication of IPL photoepilation.
Related Knowledge Centers
- Hirsutism
- Vellus Hair
- Lanugo
- Hair Diseases
- Women
- Children
- Body Hair