TLDR Phototherapy can help treat hair loss in alopecia areata.
The review discussed the use of various phototherapy modalities, including broadband UVB, narrowband UVB, excimer laser, excimer lamp, PUVA, and UVA-1, in treating alopecia areata (AA). Phototherapy worked by modulating the immune response and showed potential as an alternative treatment for patients who were unsuitable for or resistant to conventional therapies like corticosteroids and minoxidil. Studies highlighted included a retrospective study of 25 patients using narrowband UVB, a study of 149 patients using topical PUVA, and a report on 16 patients using a 308-nm excimer lamp, with varying degrees of success in hair regrowth. Despite some positive outcomes, the overall effectiveness of these treatments remained limited, and phototherapy was recommended for highly motivated patients. The author concluded that phototherapy could be a viable option for certain patients, although the pathophysiology of AA was still not fully understood.
30 citations,
January 2015 in “Dermatology” 308-nm excimer laser therapy helps regrow hair in alopecia areata.
21 citations,
December 2014 in “Clinics in dermatology” Squaric acid dibutylester effectively treats alopecia areata.
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.
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.
37 citations,
November 2011 in “Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine” Narrowband UVB phototherapy alone is not very effective for treating alopecia areata.
12 citations,
January 2011 in “Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine” This therapy effectively treats resistant alopecia areata with minimal side effects.
45 citations,
July 2008 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Sulfasalazine may help treat persistent alopecia areata.
253 citations,
December 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Hair follicles prevent NK cell attacks to avoid hair loss.
9 citations,
May 2016 in “Clinics in dermatology” Phototherapy can help treat hair loss in alopecia areata.
106 citations,
January 2013 in “Clinical and Developmental Immunology” Alopecia areata is caused by immune system attacks on hair follicles, often triggered by viral infections.
109 citations,
May 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that can lead to complete baldness, often associated with other autoimmune conditions, and half of the cases may see hair return within a year.
1 citations,
April 1992 in “PubMed” The document describes the signs of different common types of hair loss.
7 citations,
September 1987 in “PubMed” Most hair loss cases are caused by four main conditions, and understanding them is key to treatment.
