Topical antiandrogens in the treatment of male-pattern baldness.

Antiandrogen therapy for androgen-induced baldness is in its infancy. In men, because of side effects, topical antiandrogens appear to hold the most promise. Assessing changes in scalp hair growth may be difficult, however, and hirsutism provides a useful model for testing the efficacy of topical antiandrogens. Systemic administration of 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors may also eventually prove to be helpful in the treatment of male-pattern baldness, but side effects and long-term risks are unknown. In women, systemic antiandrogens appear to be a reasonable option for therapy and produce a good subjective response. Further research is needed, however, to document the long-term risks and efficacy of systemic antiandrogen therapy in women.