Quick Navigation

Hair loss

Hair loss – also known as alopecia – involves the loss of hair on the body, typically the head. There are several types of hair loss which differ in their underlying causes, presentation, and treatment.

Research analysis led by Morgan Pfiffner and reviewed by the Examine team.
Last Updated: Apr 29, 2022

References

^ a b Ji Qi, Luis A Garza. An overview of alopecias. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. (2014)
^ T Grant Phillips, W Paul Slomiany, Robert Allison. Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. (2017)
^ Katherine A McDonald, et al. Hair pull test: Evidence-based update and revision of guidelines. J Am Acad Dermatol. (2017)
^ Kenia Lepe, Patrick M. Zito. Alopecia Areata.
^ Anna-Marie Hosking, Margit Juhasz, Natasha Atanaskova Mesinkovska. Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Alopecia: A Comprehensive Review. Skin Appendage Disord. (2019)
^ Cristina Fortes, et al. Mediterranean diet: fresh herbs and fresh vegetables decrease the risk of Androgenetic Alopecia in males. Arch Dermatol Res. (2018)
^ Leonid Benjamin Trost, Wilma Fowler Bergfeld, Ellen Calogeras. The diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency and its potential relationship to hair loss. J Am Acad Dermatol. (2006)
^ Andjela Egger, et al. Examining the Safety and Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Review of the Literature. Skin Appendage Disord. (2020)
^ Robert S English Jr, Sophia Ruiz, Pedro DoAmaral. Microneedling and Its Use in Hair Loss Disorders: A Systematic Review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). (2022)
^ Jaime R Fields, et al. Topical ketoconazole for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review. Dermatol Ther. (2020)
van der Merwe J, Brooks NE, Myburgh KH. Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio in college-aged rugby players. Clin J Sport Med. (2009)
Kreider RB, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. (2017)
Kaufman KD. Androgens and alopecia. Mol Cell Endocrinol. (2002)
Bang HJ, et al. Comparative studies on level of androgens in hair and plasma with premature male-pattern baldness. J Dermatol Sci. (2004)
Nyholt DR, et al. Genetic basis of male pattern baldness. J Invest Dermatol. (2003)
Rathnayake D, Sinclair R. Male androgenetic alopecia. Expert Opin Pharmacother. (2010)
Bartsch G, Rittmaster RS, Klocker H. Dihydrotestosterone and the concept of 5alpha-reductase inhibition in human benign prostatic hyperplasia. World J Urol. (2002)
Hamada K, Randall VA. Inhibitory autocrine factors produced by the mesenchyme-derived hair follicle dermal papilla may be a key to male pattern baldness. Br J Dermatol. (2006)
Trüeb RM. Molecular mechanisms of androgenetic alopecia. Exp Gerontol. (2002)
Adil A, Godwin M. The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. (2017)
Redler S, Messenger AG, Betz RC. Genetics and other factors in the aetiology of female pattern hair loss. Exp Dermatol. (2017)
Price VH. Androgenetic alopecia in women. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. (2003)
Yip L, Rufaut N, Sinclair R. Role of genetics and sex steroid hormones in male androgenetic alopecia and female pattern hair loss: an update of what we now know. Australas J Dermatol. (2011)
Green G. Creatine supplementation and DHT:T ratio in male rugby players. Clin J Sport Med. (2010)
Vatani DS, et al. The Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Performance and Hormonal Response in Amateur Swimmers. Science and Sports. (2011)
Arazi H, et al. Effects of short term creatine supplementation and resistance exercises on resting hormonal and cardiovascular responses. Science and Sports. (2015)
Cooke MB, et al. Creatine supplementation post-exercise does not enhance training-induced adaptations in middle to older aged males. Eur J Appl Physiol. (2014)
Cook CJ, et al. Skill execution and sleep deprivation: effects of acute caffeine or creatine supplementation - a randomized placebo-controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. (2011)
Crowe MJ, O'Connor DM, Lukins JE. The effects of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) and HMB/creatine supplementation on indices of health in highly trained athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. (2003)
Hoffman J, et al. Effect of creatine and beta-alanine supplementation on performance and endocrine responses in strength/power athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. (2006)
Eijnde BO, Hespel P. Short-term creatine supplementation does not alter the hormonal response to resistance training. Med Sci Sports Exerc. (2001)
Volek JS, et al. The effects of creatine supplementation on muscular performance and body composition responses to short-term resistance training overreaching. Eur J Appl Physiol. (2004)
Faraji H, et al. The effects of creatine supplementation on sprint running performance and selected hormonal responses. SAJRSPER. (2010)
Rahimi R, et al. Creatine supplementation alters the hormonal response to resistance exercise. Kinesiology. (2010)
Volek JS, et al. Response of Testosterone and Cortisol Concentrations to High-Intensity Resistance Exercise Following Creatine Supplementation. JSCR. (1997)
Tyka AK, et al. Effect of creatine malate supplementation on physical performance, body composition and selected hormone levels in spinters and long-distance runners. Acta Physiol Hung. (2015)