Alopecia Areata: Part 2: Treatment

September 2015 in “ PubMed ”

Frank C. Spano, Jeff Donovan

alopecia areata intralesional triamcinolone topical steroids minoxidil oral immunosuppressants topical diphenylcyclopropenone anthralin prostaglandin analogues hair prostheses AA Rogaine

TLDR Alopecia areata can be managed with various treatments, and severe cases should be referred to dermatologists.

The document reviewed treatments for alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune hair loss condition, emphasizing individualized care due to varied patient responses. First-line treatments included intralesional triamcinolone, topical steroids, and minoxidil, with more advanced cases requiring oral immunosuppressants or topical agents like DPCP. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) showed promise, especially for scalp AA, while prostaglandin analogues had mixed results for eyelash AA. Psychological impacts were significant, necessitating monitoring for anxiety and depression. The document concluded with a case study of a young man achieving significant hair regrowth with DPCP therapy and triamcinolone injections.

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

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

25 / 25 results

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled, Half-Head Study to Evaluate the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Alopecia Areata

research A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled, Half-Head Study to Evaluate the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Alopecia Areata

205 citations , April 2013 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Platelet-rich plasma treatment significantly increased hair regrowth and decreased discomfort in alopecia patients, making it a potentially better and safer treatment option.

research The Safety and Efficacy of Diphencyprone for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Children

37 citations , September 2012 in “Archives of dermatology”

Diphencyprone can help some children with alopecia areata regrow hair, but it often causes side effects.

research A Review of Scalp Camouflaging Agents and Prostheses for Individuals with Hair Loss

36 citations , August 2012 in “Dermatology online journal”

Using wigs, hairpieces, and sprays can help people with hair loss feel better about themselves.

research British Association of Dermatologists’ Guidelines for the Management of Alopecia Areata 2012

218 citations , April 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Guidelines suggest various treatments for alopecia areata, but leaving it untreated is also an option as 80% cases may recover on their own.

research Clinical Severity Does Not Reliably Predict Quality of Life in Women With Alopecia Areata, Telogen Effluvium, or Androgenic Alopecia

86 citations , May 2011 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

How bad a woman's hair loss is doesn't always match how it affects her happiness and daily life.

Randomized Comparison of Topical Betamethasone Valerate Foam, Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide, and Tacrolimus Ointment in Management of Localized Alopecia Areata

research Randomized Comparison of Topical Betamethasone Valerate Foam, Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide, and Tacrolimus Ointment in Management of Localized Alopecia Areata

48 citations , January 2011 in “International journal of trichology”

Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is the most effective treatment for localized alopecia areata.

research Bimatoprost in the Treatment of Eyelash Universalis Alopecia Areata

37 citations , January 2010 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Bimatoprost helped eyelash growth in nearly half of the patients with a type of eyelash hair loss.

research Latanoprost in the Treatment of Eyelash Alopecia in Alopecia Areata Universalis

50 citations , December 2009 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Latanoprost can effectively treat eyelash hair loss, with 45% of patients showing hair regrowth and no reported side effects.

research The Efficacy of Latanoprost in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata of Eyelashes and Eyebrows

20 citations , November 2009 in “European Journal of Dermatology”

Latanoprost, a glaucoma treatment, was found ineffective in treating hair loss in eyebrows and eyelashes.

research Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata with Intralesional Steroid Injections

60 citations , October 2009 in “PubMed”

Intralesional steroid injections are safe and effective for treating severe alopecia areata.

Lack of Efficacy of Topical Latanoprost and Bimatoprost Ophthalmic Solutions in Promoting Eyelash Growth in Patients with Alopecia Areata

research Lack of Efficacy of Topical Latanoprost and Bimatoprost Ophthalmic Solutions in Promoting Eyelash Growth in Patients with Alopecia Areata

55 citations , March 2009 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Topical latanoprost and bimatoprost eye solutions don't help eyelash growth in people with alopecia areata.

research Intralesional Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Triamcinolone Acetonide by Jet Injector

100 citations , July 2006 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Triamcinolone acetonide injections help hair regrow quickly in mild alopecia but not in severe cases.

research Lack of Efficacy of Topical Latanoprost in the Treatment of Eyebrow Alopecia Areata

36 citations , November 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Topical latanoprost doesn't effectively regrow hair in severe eyebrow alopecia areata cases.

research Placebo-Controlled Oral Pulse Prednisolone Therapy in Alopecia Areata

141 citations , February 2005 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Oral prednisolone helps hair regrowth in alopecia areata.

Efficacy of Betamethasone Valerate Foam Formulation in Comparison with Betamethasone Dipropionate Lotion in the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Alopecia Areata: A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Investigator-Blinded Trial

research Efficacy of Betamethasone Valerate Foam Formulation in Comparison with Betamethasone Dipropionate Lotion in the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Alopecia Areata: A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Investigator-Blinded Trial

66 citations , July 2003 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Betamethasone valerate foam is more effective and safe for treating mild-to-moderate alopecia areata than betamethasone dipropionate lotion.

research Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% Under Occlusion in the Treatment of Alopecia Totalis/Universalis

146 citations , July 2003 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Clobetasol propionate ointment can help some people with total hair loss regrow hair.

research Efficacy of Topical Sensitizers in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

132 citations , November 1998 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Topical sensitizers have mixed success in treating alopecia areata.

research Systemic Steroids With or Without 2% Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

101 citations , November 1992 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Steroids help hair regrowth, and minoxidil slows post-steroid hair loss, but effects are temporary.

research Treatment-Resistant Alopecia Areata: Response to Combination Therapy with Minoxidil Plus Anthralin

36 citations , June 1990 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Using minoxidil and anthralin together can improve hair regrowth in severe alopecia areata patients who didn't respond to individual treatments.

research Evaluation of Anthralin in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

109 citations , November 1987 in “Archives of dermatology”

Anthralin cream helped 25% of patients with severe alopecia areata regrow hair, but caused skin irritation.

research Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of Topical Minoxidil in Extensive Alopecia Areata

104 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair growth in 63.6% of alopecia patients, with 27.3% having excellent results.

research Topical Minoxidil (3%) in Extensive Alopecia Areata, Including Long-Term Efficacy

54 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

3% topical minoxidil effectively treats extensive alopecia areata with few side effects.

research Topical Minoxidil Solution (1% and 5%) in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

101 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil solution helps hair regrowth in alopecia areata, with 5% being more effective.

research Topical Minoxidil Dose-Response Effect in Alopecia Areata

54 citations , February 1986 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Higher minoxidil concentration (5%) works better for severe hair loss, with most patients seeing regrowth in 48-60 weeks.

research A Comparison of Intralesional Triamcinolone Hexacetonide and Triamcinolone Acetonide in Alopecia Areata

75 citations , September 1971 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Both steroids effectively promote hair growth for at least 9 months.

Related Research

9 / 9 results

research Childhood Alopecia Areata: An Overview of Treatment and Recent Patents

5 citations , July 2020 in “Recent patents on inflammation & allergy drug discovery”

Childhood Alopecia Areata causes hair loss and requires varied treatments, with psychological support being crucial.

research The Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil for Non-Scarring Alopecia: A Systematic Review

1 citations , February 2019 in “PubMed”

Minoxidil is effective in treating various types of hair loss and can improve quality of life, with combination therapies showing increased effectiveness.

research Off-Label Use of Topical Minoxidil in Alopecia: A Review

32 citations , January 2019 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps treat eyebrow thinning, monilethrix, early hair loss, and shortens chemo-related hair loss.

research Efficacy of Topical Latanoprost Versus Minoxidil and Betamethasone Valerate on the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

15 citations , May 2017 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

Latanoprost works better for hair growth, and combining it with betamethasone valerate is most effective.

research Alopecia Areata: Evidence-Based Treatments

71 citations , March 2009 in “Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery”

Alopecia areata can cause unpredictable hair loss, and treatments like corticosteroids and minoxidil may help but have varying side effects.

research The Treatment of Alopecia Areata

21 citations , September 1987 in “PubMed”

Corticosteroid injections are the most effective treatment for alopecia areata.

research Topical Minoxidil in Extensive Alopecia Areata, Including 3-Year Follow-Up

34 citations , January 1987 in “Dermatology”

Topical minoxidil effectively and safely treats extensive alopecia areata but doesn't change its course.

research Alopecia Areata Treated With Topical Minoxidil

78 citations , April 1984 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Minoxidil can help regrow hair in alopecia areata patients.

research Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

80 citations , October 1983 in “BMJ”

Minoxidil helps hair regrowth in alopecia patients, with 16 having good results and no side effects.