The role of lifestyle medicine in androgenetic alopecia
- 1Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- 2Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Correspondence to: Kathie P. Huang, MD, Harvard Medical School; Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115.
Abstract
Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of nonscarring hair loss, yet the contribution of modifiable lifestyle factors to its pathogenesis is not well understood. Lifestyle medicine (LM) comprises 6 core pillars—avoidance of risky substances, restorative sleep, a whole-food plant-predominant diet, stress management, physical activity, and positive social connections—offering a framework for addressing modifiable contributors. Objective: To review evidence regarding associations between LM pillars and AGA pathogenesis and management. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar for studies published from January 2010 to April 2026 examining associations between LM pillars and AGA. Results: Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased AGA risk and severity; evidence for alcohol is mixed. Shorter, poorer quality sleep is associated with AGA severity. Vegetable-rich and antioxidant-rich diets are associated with lower odds; junk food and preserved meat are associated with higher odds. AGA patients report greater anxiety, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress. Exercise findings may vary by type and intensity. No studies directly examined social connection. Limitations: Data are observational and heterogeneous. Conclusion: Lifestyle modification should currently be regarded as a supportive, low-risk complement to established pharmacologic and procedural AGA therapies, with prospective studies needed to define its clinical role.
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BibTeX
@article{nancyanabaraonye2026role,
title = {{The role of lifestyle medicine in androgenetic alopecia}},
author = {Nancy Anabaraonye, BA and Georgiana McTigue, MPH and Arash Mostaghimi, MD and Kathie P. Huang, MD},
journal = {JAAD Reviews},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.jdrv.2026.09.009},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdrv.2026.09.009},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The role of lifestyle medicine in androgenetic alopecia
AU - Nancy Anabaraonye, BA
AU - Georgiana McTigue, MPH
AU - Arash Mostaghimi, MD
AU - Kathie P. Huang, MD
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - JAAD Reviews
DO - 10.1016/j.jdrv.2026.09.009
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdrv.2026.09.009
AB - Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of nonscarring hair loss, yet the contribution of modifiable lifestyle factors to its pathogenesis is not well understood. Lifestyle medicine (LM) comprises 6 core pillars—avoidance of risky substances, restorative sleep, a whole-food plant-predominant diet, stress management, physical activity, and positive social connections—offering a framework for addressing modifiable contributors. Objective: To review evidence regarding associations between LM pillars and AGA pathogenesis and management. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar for studies published from January 2010 to April 2026 examining associations between LM pillars and AGA. Results: Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased AGA risk and severity; evidence for alcohol is mixed. Shorter, poorer quality sleep is associated with AGA severity. Vegetable-rich and antioxidant-rich diets are associated with lower odds; junk food and preserved meat are associated with higher odds. AGA patients report greater anxiety, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress. Exercise findings may vary by type and intensity. No studies directly examined social connection. Limitations: Data are observational and heterogeneous. Conclusion: Lifestyle modification should currently be regarded as a supportive, low-risk complement to established pharmacologic and procedural AGA therapies, with prospective studies needed to define its clinical role.
SN - 2950-1989
ER -