Types of Hair Loss and Treatment Options, Including the Novel Low-level Light Therapy and its Proposed Mechanism

Mahyar Ghanaat, MD

South Med J. 2010;103(9):917-921.

Abstract and Introduction

Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of hair loss in men, and female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is the most common form of hair loss in women. Traditional methods of treating hair loss have included minoxidil, finasteride, and surgical transplantation. Currently there is a myriad of new and experimental treatments. In addition, low-level light therapy (LLLT) has recently been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hair loss. There are several theories and minimal clinical evidence of the safety and efficacy of LLLT, although most experts agree that it is safe. More in vitro studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism and effectiveness at the cellular level, and more controlled studies are necessary to assess the role of this new treatment in the general population.

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Table 1. Prevalence of male pattern hair loss
Prevalence	Participants	Author
50% by age 50 yr	Not including Type II frontal recession	Hamilton^[37]
		Norwood^[38]
98% by age 50 yr	Including Type II frontal recession in Hamilton's data^[37]	Haber^[11]
67% by age 50 yr	Including Type II frontal recession in Norwoods' data^[38]	Haber^[11]
62% in 20–40 yr olds	Have bitemporal recession	Otberg et al^[2]
54% of those >30 yrs old	Have androgenetic alopecia (AGA)	Otberg et al^[2]
53% of 40–49 yr olds	Have Type III or greater	Otberg et al^[2]
42% of 18–49 yr olds	Have Type III or greater	Otberg et al^[2]
16% of 18–29 yr olds	Have Type III or greater	Otberg et al^[2]
53% by age 50 yr	Moderate to severe hair loss	Rhodes^[11]
80% by age 50 yr	Rhodes study including all types of hair loss	Haber^[11]
30% by 30, 50% by 50, and 80% by 70	White men	Stough et al^[5]

See references for full citation.

Table 2. Prevalence of female pattern hair loss
Prevalence	Author
12% of those 20–29 yr old	Dinh and Sinclair^[4]
>50% in those >80 yr old	Dinh and Sinclair^[4]
86% by 50 yr old	Hamilton^[37]
6% by 50 yr old	Birch^[11]
10% of premenopausal women	Scheinfeld^[10]
50–75% of women >65 yr old	Scheinfeld^[10]

See References for full citation.

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