LA DUTASTERIDE TOPICA È LA SVOLTA? con ANDREA MARLIANI

Summary

In this video, Dr. Andrea Marliani discusses androgenetic alopecia, its genetic and hormonal causes, and effective treatments for both men and women. He covers topics such as Minoxidil, oral dutasteride, and the importance of understanding family history to predict hair loss. The doctor also introduces a cost-effective, weekly dutasteride dressing that delivers promising results. He emphasizes the need for long-term therapies and shares insights into new approaches like oral Minoxidil. Overall, the video provides valuable information on managing hair loss, with a focus on practical, accessible treatments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Androgenetic alopecia is primarily caused by male hormones (androgens) and a genetic predisposition, often seen in families with male pattern baldness.
• 😀 To predict if a person will develop androgenetic alopecia, the family history, particularly the father and maternal grandfather's hair loss, is crucial.
• 😀 Genetic testing for androgenetic alopecia is often limited in value due to its complexity, as over 270 genes are associated with hair loss.
• 😀 Early intervention in androgenetic alopecia is critical, especially for young individuals (16-18 years old), and a dermatological or trichological consultation is advised.
• 😀 Effective treatments for androgenetic alopecia include Minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride, with dutasteride being more powerful due to its longer half-life.
• 😀 A simple, cost-effective therapy for androgenetic alopecia involves using dutasteride topically once a week, mixed with hydrocortisone butyrate, and it only costs around 30 cents per week.
• 😀 Long-term adherence to therapy is essential for managing androgenetic alopecia, and a therapy that cannot be continued over the years is considered a failure.
• 😀 Oral Minoxidil, which is gaining attention for its potential in treating androgenetic alopecia, is still under observation for safety and efficacy at lower doses.
• 😀 Side effects from oral Minoxidil may include excessive hair growth in women (hirsutism) and potential heart-related issues that require careful monitoring.
• 😀 Androgenetic alopecia is distinct from other forms of hair loss like those caused by local estrone deficiency, which typically affects women and leads to thinner hair, not baldness.

Q & A

What is androgenetic alopecia, and how is it caused?

Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, is a type of hair loss caused by the effect of male hormones (androgens) on a genetic basis. It typically occurs in families where males experience baldness. Both genetic predisposition and the presence of male hormones are required for the condition to manifest.

Why is androgenetic alopecia more common in men than women?

Androgenetic alopecia is considered male pattern baldness, and it occurs due to the action of male hormones (androgens) on genetically predisposed hair follicles. While it can affect women, the genetic and hormonal conditions that lead to it are more commonly seen in men, particularly those with family history of male pattern baldness.

What role does genetics play in androgenetic alopecia?

Genetics plays a crucial role in androgenetic alopecia. The condition is inherited, and a person is more likely to develop hair loss if there is a family history of male pattern baldness, especially from the father's or maternal grandfather's side.

What are the common therapies used to treat androgenetic alopecia?

Common therapies for androgenetic alopecia include Minoxidil, finasteride, dutasteride, and natural progesterone. These treatments can either slow hair loss, improve hair quality, or stimulate hair growth, but they do not create new hair follicles.

How does dutasteride compare to finasteride in treating hair loss?

Dutasteride is a more potent 5-alpha reductase inhibitor than finasteride. It has a longer half-life, meaning it stays active in the body longer, allowing for less frequent dosing (even once a week) compared to finasteride, which typically requires daily use.

What is the process for applying topical dutasteride for hair loss treatment?

Topical dutasteride is applied by piercing a 0.5 mg capsule and squeezing the liquid onto the scalp, usually between the ears. The liquid is then mixed with hydrocortisone butyrate solution to help distribute the medication across the scalp. This is done once a week for best results.

How effective is dutasteride in treating androgenetic alopecia?

Dutasteride is effective in improving the quality of existing hair and slowing hair loss in cases of androgenetic alopecia. While it does not grow new hair follicles, it can significantly improve hair health and density over time.

At what age should a person start treatment for androgenetic alopecia?

Ideally, treatment should start as soon as the first signs of thinning appear, typically between the ages of 16-18. It's also recommended to assess the hair loss patterns of the father and maternal grandfather to estimate the eventual pattern of hair loss.

What are the drawbacks of using Minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia?

Minoxidil can cause skin irritation, flaking, and is often difficult to use continuously. Additionally, its cost can become significant if used long-term, especially if applied twice a day. Some people may also experience diminishing results over time.

How does oral Minoxidil differ from topical Minoxidil in treating hair loss?

Oral Minoxidil is gaining attention for its potential use in treating androgenetic alopecia. While it was originally used to treat hypertension, lower doses of oral Minoxidil (1 mg or less) have been found to be effective and well-tolerated for hair growth, though side effects like unwanted hair growth and heart issues need to be monitored.