Alopecia Areata Barbae in a Nutshell

January 2023 in “ Skin Appendage Disorders ”

Adaeze Nwosu, Mariya Miteva

alopecia areata barbae alopecia areata autoimmune diseases H. pylori thyroiditis vellus white hairs exclamation mark hairs ALBAS tool topical steroids janus kinase inhibitors beard alopecia JAK inhibitors

Studysummary This review discusses the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of beard alopecia areata and reports no new clinical results, though it highlights recent treatment advances with janus kinase inhibitors.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

View this study on pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

38 / 38 results

research Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata

148 citations , March 2022 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

In two phase 3 trials, this study found that oral baricitinib significantly improved hair regrowth compared to placebo in adults with severe alopecia areata after 36 weeks, though longer trials are needed to ascertain its long-term efficacy and safety.

research Trichoscopy of the Beard: Aid Tool for Diagnosis of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia in Men

2 citations , July 2021 in “JAAD Case Reports”

This case study suggests that trichoscopic examination of the beard can aid in diagnosing frontal fibrosing alopecia in men, especially when challenging to differentiate from androgenetic alopecia.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease of Multiple Players

31 citations , July 2021 in “ImmunoTargets and therapy”

This review compiles current evidence on the molecular mechanisms, etiologies, and targeted immunotherapies for alopecia areata and reports no new experimental results, emphasizing the need for further research to manage the disease.

research Topical Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata Affecting Facial Hair

7 citations , April 2021 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

In this research letter from the British Journal of Dermatology, the authors explore the use of topical tofacitinib to treat alopecia areata affecting facial hair, but specific results are not reported in the abstract.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review on Diagnosis, Immunological Etiopathogenesis, and Treatment Options

56 citations , January 2021 in “Clinical and Experimental Medicine”

This review highlights the challenges in treating alopecia areata, noting that current therapies often lead to relapse and have uncertain long-term effectiveness; it also points to potential future treatments such as JAK-STAT inhibitors and PRP.

research Immunology of Alopecia Areata

23 citations , November 2020 in “Central-European Journal of Immunology/Central European Journal of Immunology”

This review explores the autoimmune hypothesis of alopecia areata and the possible genetic and melanogenesis-associated autoantigens, but reports no new clinical findings.

research Incipient Diabetes Mellitus and Nascent Thyroid Disease Presenting as Beard Alopecia Areata: Case Report and Treatment Review

5 citations , July 2020 in “Curēus”

This case study reports complete beard hair regrowth in a man with beard alopecia areata after six months of treatment with 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide cream.

research Dermatoscopic Findings of Syphilitic Alopecia

11 citations , May 2020 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

This case report describes a patient with secondary syphilis exhibiting distinct dermoscopic features, including moth-eaten alopecia and an erythematous background more pronounced than previously reported.

research Successful Treatment of Alopecia Areata Barbae with Platelet-Rich Plasma

6 citations , April 2020 in “Cureus”

This case report suggests that platelet-rich plasma injections may offer a new and potentially effective treatment for alopecia areata barbae, as demonstrated by notable hair regrowth in one patient over one year.

research Response of Alopecia Areata of the Beard to Oral Tofacitinib

11 citations , November 2019 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study suggests that oral tofacitinib may be an effective treatment for beard regrowth in men with alopecia areata of the beard, with a strong correlation observed between beard and scalp hair regrowth.

research Pseudofolliculitis Barbae: Current Treatment Options

21 citations , April 2019 in “Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology”

This article reviews the causes and clinical presentation of pseudofolliculitis barbae, highlighting how genetic susceptibility and hair removal practices contribute to its development, but reports no new research findings.

research Histopathology of Aging of the Hair Follicle

31 citations , April 2019 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

This review discusses the changes in hair follicles with aging, particularly graying due to decreased melanocyte activity, and suggests potential for hair repigmentation under certain conditions, but reports no new results.

research Role of Janus Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

53 citations , July 2018 in “Drug design, development and therapy”

This review summarizes existing evidence on the efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors for treating alopecia areata and emphasizes the need for improved topical formulations.

research Immune Privilege Collapse And Alopecia Development: Is Stress A Factor

51 citations , December 2017 in “Skin Appendage Disorders”

This review examines the literature on autoimmune hair loss disorders, highlighting the collapse of immune privilege and the potential role of neurogenic stress in this process, but reports no new clinical results.

research Objective Outcome Measures: Collecting Meaningful Data on Alopecia Areata

39 citations , November 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This review presents standardized methods for assessing and tracking hair loss in alopecia areata but reports no clinical results, with the authors noting time limitations in clinical practice.

research Complete Regrowth of Beard Hair with Ruxolitinib in an Alopecia Universalis Patient

22 citations , September 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This report describes a case where treatment with the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib significantly improved beard growth in a patient with severe alopecia areata, emphasizing its potential benefits for populations where beard hair holds cultural significance.

research Alopecia Areata of the Beard: A Review of the Literature

16 citations , May 2017 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This review discusses the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment options for alopecia areata of the beard and reports no new clinical results.

research Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata and Variants: A Study of 90 Patients

238 citations , November 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, tofacitinib was reported to improve scalp hair regrowth in patients with severe alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis, showing a higher response in alopecia areata.

research Beard Alopecia Areata: A Multicenter Review of 55 Patients

17 citations , August 2016 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study reported that 45.5% of patients with beard alopecia areata progressed to scalp alopecia areata within at least 12 months, with most cases occurring during the first year.

research Epidemiology and Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

144 citations , July 2015 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

This review reports that alopecia areata affects about 2% of people globally and is linked with psychiatric and medical comorbidities, highlighting its significant disease burden.

Efficacy and Safety of Diphenylcyclopropenone Alone or in Combination with Anthralin in the Treatment of Chronic Extensive Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Case Series

research Efficacy and Safety of Diphenylcyclopropenone Alone or in Combination with Anthralin in the Treatment of Chronic Extensive Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Case Series

44 citations , February 2015 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that combination therapy with diphenylcyclopropenone and anthralin was more effective for complete hair regrowth in chronic extensive alopecia areata than diphenylcyclopropenone alone, despite more common side effects.

research The Genetics Of Alopecia Areata: New Approaches, New Findings, New Treatments

62 citations , January 2015 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This review summarizes the current genetic research on alopecia areata, including potential new therapeutic strategies, but reports no new clinical findings.

research Recent Advances in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Hair Loss Disease Alopecia Areata

106 citations , January 2013 in “Clinical and Developmental Immunology”

This review discusses the pathogenesis of alopecia areata, highlighting the role of immune privilege collapse in hair follicles but reports no clinical results.

research Alopecia: A Review of Laser and Light Therapies

40 citations , February 2012 in “Dermatology Online Journal”

This review discusses cases and research on paradoxical hair growth after laser hair removal and explores laser and light therapies for treating alopecia, but reports no new results.

research Cure of Alopecia Areata After Eradication of Helicobacter Pylori: A New Association?

26 citations , July 2011 in “PubMed”

The authors report a case where alopecia areata went into remission after H. pylori eradication, suggesting a potential link that could expand treatment options if further studies confirm it.

research The Genetics of Alopecia Areata: What's New and How Will It Help Our Patients?

43 citations , May 2011 in “Dermatologic therapy”

This study identified at least eight genetic regions associated with alopecia areata, which may lead to the development of new targeted therapies based on these findings.

research Hair Follicle as a Target of Stress Hormones and Autoimmune Reactions

61 citations , September 2010 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This review discusses the interplay between hormonal and immune systems in hair follicles and reports no new results, highlighting the need for further research on their role in skin biology and alopecia areata.

research Melanocytes: A Possible Autoimmune Target in Alopecia Areata

35 citations , August 2009 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found a decreased number of follicular melanocytes in patients with alopecia areata, though it remains unclear if this decrease is due to autoimmune attack or rapid hair cycling.

research The Keratins of the Human Beard Hair Medulla: The Riddle in the Middle

87 citations , July 2009 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study found that beard hair medulla cells express an unexpected range of keratins, showing variability and promiscuous behavior in keratin interactions distinct from other hair follicle cells.

research Hormonal Regulation of Hair Follicles Exhibits a Biological Paradox

98 citations , February 2007 in “Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology”

This review explores the hormonal regulation of hair growth and changes with season, age, and sexual development, and calls for improved treatments for hair disorders.

research Differences in Expression of Specific Biomarkers Distinguish Human Beard from Scalp Dermal Papilla Cells

41 citations , June 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study identified three genes with significantly higher expression in androgen-sensitive beard dermal papilla cells compared to androgen-insensitive scalp cells, suggesting potential novel signaling pathways in hair follicles.

research Alopecia Areata Masquerading as Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

14 citations , January 2006 in “Australasian journal of dermatology”

This case report describes an atypical presentation of alopecia areata in a 53-year-old postmenopausal woman, which may resemble frontal fibrosing alopecia and complicate diagnosis.

research An Unusual Ala12Thr Polymorphism in the 1A Alpha-Helical Segment of the Companion Layer-Specific Keratin K6hf: Evidence for a Risk Factor in the Etiology of the Common Hair Disorder Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

88 citations , March 2004 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Guidelines for the Management of Alopecia Areata

182 citations , October 2003 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

These guidelines for alopecia areata management, prepared by the British Association of Dermatologists, provide evidence-based treatment recommendations and insights into the condition's epidemiology, diagnosis, and investigation.

Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth Is Mediated by Adenosine in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells: Possible Involvement of Sulfonylurea Receptor 2B as a Target of Minoxidil

research Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth Is Mediated by Adenosine in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells: Possible Involvement of Sulfonylurea Receptor 2B as a Target of Minoxidil

83 citations , December 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by targeting adenosine and possibly sulfonylurea receptor 2B.

research Androgen-Dependent Beard Dermal Papilla Cells Secrete Autocrine Growth Factors in Response to Testosterone Unlike Scalp Cells

51 citations , November 1998 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

In this study, researchers found that while both beard and scalp dermal papilla cells release similar autocrine growth factors, only beard cells increased production and response with testosterone, suggesting these factors enhance androgen-induced hair growth.

research Androgens and Human Hair Growth

157 citations , April 1994 in “Clinical endocrinology”

Androgens can cause hair growth in some areas and hair loss on the scalp.

research Epithelial Skirt and Bulge of Human Facial Vellus Hair Follicles and Associated Merkel Cell-Nerve Complex

48 citations , July 1993 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

Merkel cells are abundant in facial vellus hair follicles, especially during the anagen phase.