Targetoid Hair Regrowth Pattern in Alopecia Areata: A Case Series

September 2023 in “ International Journal of Trichology ”

Heera Ramesh, Sachin Somashekhar, Kanathur Shilpa

alopecia areata autoimmune disorder nonscarring hair loss targetoid hair regrowth pattern

Studysummary In this study, researchers reported three cases of alopecia areata patients experiencing a rare targetoid pattern of hair regrowth, a phenomenon originally described in 1988. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This case series documents three patients with alopecia areata (AA) who exhibited a targetoid hair regrowth pattern (THRP), characterized by concentric circles of hair regrowth and non-regrowth within a patch. THRP is considered a rare and atypical phenomenon in AA, potentially indicating immunological recovery. The study highlights the need for further investigation into the mechanisms behind such patterns, as current hypotheses include regional immunological variations and anatomical distribution of follicular units. The study emphasizes that THRP may be underreported in dermatologic literature, suggesting it could be an important clinical sign in AA treatment response.

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research Relationship of Hair Regrowth Pattern in Alopecia Areata Patches According to DIMT Classification with Treatment Modalities and Patch Size: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Analysis

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This study found that treatment modalities and patch size influence hair regrowth patterns in alopecia areata patches.

research Targetoid Polycyclic Concentric Hair Regrowth Pattern Is a Sign of Immunological Recovery in Alopecia Areata

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This study observed that a targetoid polycyclic concentric hair regrowth pattern appeared in some male patients with alopecia areata following treatment, indicating a positive sign of recovery despite unclear etiopathogenesis.

research Clinical Observations in Alopecia Areata: Implications and Hypotheses

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This report describes onset, regrowth, and relapse patterns in alopecia areata and proposes mechanisms to integrate into current theories, with no new clinical results.

research Overview of Alopecia Areata

110 citations , December 2013 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

This article reviews current understanding of alopecia areata, its genetic and immune factors, and discusses ongoing research and treatment development, without presenting new experimental results.

research Unusual Forms of Alopecia Areata in a Trichology Unit

7 citations , August 2013 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study reported that atypical variants of alopecia areata made up less than 25% of all cases in their specialized trichology unit, suggesting a potential selection bias.

research Annular Alopecia Areata: Report of Two Cases

8 citations , January 2013 in “International journal of trichology”

This report details two cases of alopecia areata with unusual annular and circinate patterns, highlighting atypical morphology of the condition.

research Regrowth of Black Hair in Two Red-Haired Alopecia Areata Patients

5 citations , February 2012 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

This case report documents two instances of red-haired men with patch-type alopecia areata, where hair regrowth occurred in black rather than red, an unusual phenomenon potentially linked to pigmentation and receptor pathways.