Efficacy of Topical Sensitizers in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

November 1998 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”

Cameron K. Rokhsar, Jerome L. Shupack, Jonothan J. Vafai, Ken Washenik

topical sensitizers dinitrochlorobenzene squaric acid dibutylester diphenylcyclopropenone alopecia areata DNCB SADBE DPCP

Studysummary This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of topical sensitizers in treating alopecia areata but reports no new clinical findings. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The document reviewed the efficacy and safety of topical sensitizers, specifically SADBE and DPCP, in treating alopecia areata. Success rates for these treatments varied from 19% to 80%, with side effects including mutagenicity and stability issues, but they were generally safer than DNCB. The treatments worked through immunomodulation, though the exact mechanism was not fully understood. The review emphasized the need for further research to confirm the long-term safety and efficacy of these treatments.

View this study on jaad.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Alopecia Areata in Korea (1982–1994)

46 citations , November 1995 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that immunotherapy with DNCB or DPCP showed better therapeutic effects than intralesional triamcinolone acetonide for patients with bald areas greater than 50 cm², including alopecia totalis and universalis.

research Alopecia Areata in Children: Response to Treatment with Diphencyprone

84 citations , August 1991 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that 67% of children treated with diphencyprone for alopecia areata or alopecia totalis regrew scalp hair, with 33% achieving complete regrowth.

research Allergic and Irritant Contact Dermatitis Compared in the Treatment of Alopecia Totalis and Universalis: A Comparison of the Value of Topical Diphencyprone and Tretinoin Gel

36 citations , March 1989 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

In this study, the authors compared topical diphencyprone and tretinoin gel for treating alopecia totalis and universalis, but the abstract does not report any definitive clinical results.

research Tropical Diphencyprone Therapy in Alopecia Totalis

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.

research Vitiligo as a Reaction to Topical Treatment with Diphencyprone

55 citations , January 1988 in “Dermatology”

This study observed that 6.7% of patients treated with diphencyprone for alopecia areata developed vitiligo, with varying patterns and improvements noted among cases.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata With Squaric Acid Dibutylester

42 citations , August 1987 in “Archives of Dermatology”

In this study, 28.5% of patients with extensive alopecia areata had complete hair regrowth during treatment with squaric acid dibutylester, with outcomes linked to shorter alopecia duration and prompt dermatitis development.