Understanding Alopecia Areata: Types, Causes, and Latest Therapeutic Approaches

January 2024 in “ Journal of Biosciences and Medicines ”

Noorah Saleh Al‐Sowayan, Asal Khalid AlRebdi, Maryah Khalaf AlMarwani

alopecia areata autoimmune condition hair loss genetic factors targeted treatments

TLDR More research is needed to understand genetic causes and create better treatments for alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition affecting 0.5% - 2% of the population, characterized by varying degrees of hair loss. This study reviewed existing and investigational therapies, highlighting the complexity of AA and the potential for novel treatments to improve patients' quality of life. The study concludes that further research is needed into the genetic factors of AA and the development of more targeted treatments.

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Research cited in this study

17 / 17 results

research Alopecia Areata: Current Treatments and New Directions

57 citations , August 2023 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

JAK inhibitors and platelet-rich plasma show promise for treating alopecia areata.

research Psychological Stress-Induced Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata: Autoimmune and Apoptotic Pathways

3 citations , July 2023 in “International journal of molecular sciences”

Stress may contribute to hair loss in alopecia areata by affecting immune responses and cell death in hair follicles.

research Clinical and Genetic Aspects of Alopecia Areata: A Cutting Edge Review

1 citations , June 2023 in “Genes”

Hair loss from Alopecia Areata is caused by both genes and environment, with several treatments available but challenges in cost and relapse remain.

research Oxidative Stress and Alopecia Areata

3 citations , June 2023 in “Frontiers in medicine”

Oxidative stress may contribute to hair loss in alopecia areata and antioxidants could potentially help as a treatment.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review of the Role of Oxidative Stress, Possible Biomarkers, and Potential Novel Therapeutic Approaches

15 citations , January 2023 in “Antioxidants”

Oxidative stress plays a significant role in alopecia areata, and new treatments may include JAK inhibitors and antioxidants.

research Lifestyle Factors Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata

16 citations , January 2022 in “International journal of molecular sciences”

Certain daily habits like stress, diet, and sleep can affect the severity of hair loss in alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease of Multiple Players

31 citations , July 2021 in “ImmunoTargets and therapy”

Alopecia areata is an incurable autoimmune condition causing hair loss, with research aiming for better treatments.

research Alopecia Types, Current and Future Treatment

3 citations , January 2021 in “Journal of dermatology & cosmetology”

Current alopecia treatments manage symptoms but don't cure, and better treatments are needed.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

290 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss, influenced by genetics, stress, and diet, and may be prevented by a high soy oil diet.

research Microneedling for the Treatment of Hair Loss

58 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Microneedling can help stimulate hair growth, especially when used with other treatments, but it's not better than existing therapies.

research Alopecia Areata: A Comprehensive Review of Pathogenesis and Management

99 citations , July 2017 in “Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology”

New treatments for Alopecia Areata show promise but need to be more effective and affordable.

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”

Tofacitinib is effective and safe for severe hair loss, but full regrowth is less likely after 10 years of hair loss.

research Oral Ruxolitinib Induces Hair Regrowth in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata

196 citations , September 2016 in “JCI insight”

Ruxolitinib effectively regrows hair in most patients with severe hair loss.

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

701 citations , August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.

research Killing Two Birds with One Stone: Oral Tofacitinib Reverses Alopecia Universalis in a Patient with Plaque Psoriasis

185 citations , June 2014 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

A man with severe hair loss and skin disease regrew his hair with no side effects after taking tofacitinib.

research Alopecia: Evaluation and Treatment

76 citations , July 2011 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

The document concludes that proper diagnosis and FDA-approved treatments for different types of hair loss exist, but treatments for severe cases often fail and future improvements may focus on hair follicle stem cells.

research Alopecia Areata Update

391 citations , January 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Half of people with Alopecia Areata may see hair regrowth within a year without treatment, but recovery is unpredictable.

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community If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

nkrata in Research 830 upvotes 1 year ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community UPDATE: The theory that explains everything. Please help me make this big!

in Research/Science 447 upvotes 4 years ago

Hair loss theory involves 3alpha-hydroxysteroid reductase (3AHD) converting DHT to androstenol. Discussion explores potential treatments and encourages more research.

community My experience and a discourse on “DUPA”

in Chat 46 upvotes 3 years ago

How diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA) is not an invitation to self-diagnose oneself with aggressive AGA and that seeking a specialized dermatologist may help people experiencing hair loss. Treatment options discussed include topical clobetasol propionate, oral minoxidil, and discontinuing finasteride.

community Calling out diffuse thinners here -- Have you ruled out other factors?

in Treatment 54 upvotes 1 year ago

Diffuse hair loss is often linked to genetics but can also be due to health issues like thyroid problems and low vitamin or iron levels. Treatments include finasteride, minoxidil, and dutasteride, with some seeing improvements after addressing health issues.

community Dutasteride thins eyebrows and facial hair but doesn't stop scalp loss.

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 37 upvotes 8 months ago

Dutasteride may not effectively stop scalp hair loss and can cause thinning of facial and body hair, including eyebrows. Users suggest considering other causes like autoimmune conditions or vitamin deficiencies and exploring treatments like finasteride or minoxidil.

community One+ year 1mg Fin, Ketoconazole, and 3.75 Oral Min. I have DUPA. Switched from Topical to Oral Min.

in Progress Pictures 142 upvotes 3 years ago

A user's experience with hair loss treatments such as finasteride, ketoconazole, and oral minoxidil that have not yielded any results; other users suggest shaving the head or getting a wig, while others offer additional advice such as seeing a dermatologist, checking thyroid levels, switching to dutasteride and adding needling, and trying stemoxydine.

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research Twenty Nail Dystrophy with Alopecia Areata in an Atopic Child

April 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology”

A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.