Alteration in Hair Texture Following Regrowth in Alopecia Areata

July 2011 in “ Archives of Dermatology ”

Whitney Valins, Janelle Vega, Sadegh Amini, Heather Woolery‐Lloyd, Lawrence A. Schachner

alopecia areata hair regrowth stem cell differentiation cytokine influences hormonal influences gene expression hair follicle development AA hair loss hair growth

Studysummary This study reports a case where a 13-year-old boy's hair texture changed to resemble his early childhood hair after regrowth from alopecia areata, with potential causes remaining uncertain.

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Alopecia areata (AA) affected a 13-year-old African American boy, causing his hair to change from curly to straight upon regrowth, resembling his early childhood hair. This alteration might have been due to treatment, pathophysiologic changes, or both, though the exact cause remained unknown. Potential factors included stem cell differentiation, cytokine or hormonal influences, or gene expression during hair follicle development. Understanding these triggers could offer insights into AA and influence hair grooming practices.

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