Non scarring hair loss, also known as noncicatricial alopecia is the loss of hair without any scarring being present. There is typically little inflammation and irritation, but hair loss is significant. This is in contrast to scarring hair loss during which hair follicles are replaced with scar tissue as a result of inflammation. Hair loss may be spread throughout the scalp (diffuse) or at certain spots (focal). The loss may be sudden or gradual with accompanying stress. The most common cause is androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern or female pattern hair loss due to the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the hair follicles. A variety of factors may lead to this condition such as hormonal effects, age, diet, autoimmunity, emotional stress, physical stress, drug effects, genetics, or infections. Depending on the cause, treatment options include: topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, anti-fungal medications, steroids, hair transplantation, or platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Alternatives for total hair loss include the use of hairpieces or hair fibers. Signs and Symptoms
Patients will notice either focal or diffuse loss of hair. This may occur due to thinning or shedding of the hair over a sudden or gradual period of time. Stress may be present, and the emotional impact of hair loss is important as it may cause significant distress. Other signs may point to specific causes of the condition. Poor diet may lead to tiredness, other side effects of chemotherapy drugs may be seen, infection can cause itching, stress may lead to pulling of hair or falling of hair.
Topical or oral preparations may be used for a few weeks to reduce inflammation. Long term use of topical steroids has not shown benefits for growth and the use of long term oral steroids has many risks that typically outweigh the benefits.Immunotherapy
Diphenylcyclopropenone or squaric acid may be used topically for the treatment of alopecia areata as an alternative to steroids. This treatment may cause a local skin reaction.Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a topical treatment that comes in a solution or foam. The foam provides increased delivery of the drug and less irritation. This drug has been shown to decrease telogen and increase anagen phase of hair follicles, increase VEGF expression, and have indirect vasodilation effects. FDA has approved this drug for use in androgenetic alopecia, but frequent offlabel uses include alopecia areata, chemotherapy induced alopecia, telogen effluvium, and traction alopecia.Redensyl
Redensyl is emerging as an alternative hair loss treatment containing a newly discovered molecule called dihydroquercetin-glucoside (DHQG), a compound derived from plant extracts known to target the stem cells in hair follicles and encourages the division of the cells. Still in development stage it has been approved by FDA as many of its medication are available widelyHormone modulating
Androgenetic alopecia is routinely treated with drugs that alter hormonal function, in particular DHTs effects. Male pattern hair loss is treated with oral finasteride which is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that blocks the formation of DHT from testosterone. Finasteride may cause sexual dysfunction, but it is typically reversed upon discontinuation of the treatment.