Disconnect Between Patient and Dermatologist Perceptions in Androgenetic Alopecia Therapy: Social Analysis Across More Than 100,000 Digital Conversations

    July 2026 in “ Skin Appendage Disorders ”
    Archie Spindler, D. Maas, Isabella Zappi, Reid Waldman, Natasha A. Mesinkovska, Antonella Tosti, Jerry Shapiro, Kristen I. Lo Sicco
    TLDR People prefer over-the-counter hair loss treatments despite better evidence for prescriptions, leading to delayed care.
    A study analyzing over 143,000 online conversations about androgenetic alopecia (AGA) treatments found that public sentiment is largely negative, with a preference for over-the-counter (OTC) products despite stronger clinical evidence supporting prescription therapies. The analysis revealed that discussions about prescription treatments often mentioned concerns about efficacy and side effects, while OTC treatments were associated with positive themes such as satisfaction and ease of use. This disconnect between patient perceptions and clinical evidence may lead to delayed dermatologic care, highlighting the need for better education and communication about evidence-based treatments.
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