TLDR Topical sensitizers have mixed success in treating alopecia areata.
The article reviewed the efficacy and safety of topical sensitizers, such as dinitrochlorobenzene, squaric acid dibutylester, and diphenylcyclopropenone, in treating alopecia areata. Over the past 2 decades, these treatments showed variable success in inducing hair growth. The review highlighted the mixed results and potential of these sensitizers in managing alopecia areata.
46 citations,
September 2024 in “The Journal of Dermatology” Alopecia areata was most common in people in their 30s and 40s, with some family history and a higher relapse rate, and larger bald areas responded better to specific immunotherapy.
84 citations,
August 1991 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Most children treated with diphencyprone regrew some or all of their hair.
36 citations,
March 1989 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” DPCP is more effective than tretinoin gel for treating severe alopecia.
5 citations,
July 1988 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Diphencyprone therapy can effectively treat severe hair loss in motivated patients.
55 citations,
January 1988 in “Dermatology” Diphencyprone treatment for alopecia areata can cause vitiligo in some patients.
42 citations,
August 1987 in “Archives of Dermatology” Squaric acid dibutylester led to complete hair regrowth in 28.5% of patients with alopecia areata.
148 citations,
March 2019 in “Journal of autoimmunity” Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.
4 citations,
November 2018 in “JAAD case reports” Alopecia areata can sometimes appear as a straight line of hair loss instead of round patches.
May 2018 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology” Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.
