Understanding and managing common baldness.
BACKGROUND
Society places importance on physical attributes especially the appearance of our hair. Common baldness or androgenetic alopecia is a normal physiological process of hair loss in genetically predisposed individuals. Premature or accelerated hair loss can engender considerable negative thoughts and anxiety associated with feelings of diminished attractiveness.


OBJECTIVE
To enable general practitioners to recognise the various treatment options available, therefore offering patients reasonable hope and informed choices.


CONCLUSIONS
Common baldness can be prevented by currently available mediums and regrowth may be achieved in a significant percentage of cases. Correct use of these agents requires an understanding of the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia, its natural history and the time course of response to treatment.
Tran
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Department of Dermatology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne.
Sinclair
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RD
D000505:Alopecia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D018120:Finasteride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006197:Hair / Q000637:transplantation; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008914:Minoxidil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D013148:Spironolactone; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate; D018120:Finasteride; D008914:Minoxidil