Approaches to Diagnosing and Treating Common Hair Loss Conditions

Hair loss impacts both physical appearance and psychosocial well-being. It necessitates a compassionate and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment. This narrative review presents current evidence on the most common nonscarring alopecias, i.e. androgenetic alopecia (AGA), alopecia areata (AA), and telogen effluvium (TE). A literature search identified studies published between 2000 and 2024 focusing on clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnostic strategies, and treatment modalities. AGA is characterized by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) mediated follicular shrinking, while AA involves autoimmune disruption of the anagen growth phase of the hair cycle, and TE is often triggered by systemic events or stress. Diagnostic approaches include dermoscopy, clinical examination, and laboratory evaluation. Evidence based treatments range from topical minoxidil and oral finasteride to platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections, corticosteroids, and JAK inhibitors. This review also highlights osteopathic considerations, emphasizing holistic care through osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), stress management, and behavioral health support. Integrating conventional and osteopathic strategies allows for personalized care that addresses both physiological and emotional aspects of hair loss.