An update on alopecia treatment options
Reviewed by Eduardo Morera Serna

In this paper the authors make a thorough review of the different medical and surgical options for the treatment of androgenic alopecia. Combined therapy with oral finasteride and topical minoxidil continue to be the mainstay for medical treatment. Follicular unit transplant (FUT) is the gold standard for surgical treatment and provides excellent results when patient selection and surgical technique are optimal. Follicular unit extraction avoids a linear scar in the donor area, but has a higher rate of transection of the graft, even if robot-assisted. It has a clear indication in patients with sparse donor sites, small recipient areas or when the source of the grafts is the body or the beard. The addition of pre and postoperative medical treatment improves the outcome of the transplant. Scalp reduction techniques are reserved for cases of exposed scalp and in combination with FUT. Flap procedures have no clear indications in the treatment of androgenic alopecia, although they may be used for scalp reconstruction. The paper is an up-to-date review of the topic, complete and concise. Androgenic alopecia is one of the hot topics in modern male aesthetics; every facial plastic surgeon, regardless of whether he performs the technique or not, must be familiar with the different therapeutic options.

A review of medical and surgical treatment options for androgenetic alopecia.
Rousso DE, Kim SW.
JAMA FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY
2014;6(6):444-50.