TLDR Topical immunotherapy, especially with DPCP, is effective for treating severe alopecia areata.
Alopecia Areata (AA) is a common non-scarring hair loss condition, and topical immunotherapy has been the most documented treatment for severe and refractory cases. The contact allergens used include Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE), and diphencyprone (DPCP). DNCB was found to be mutagenic and has been largely replaced by DPCP and SADBE, which are non-mutagenic and have similar efficacy and relapse rates. SADBE is more expensive due to the need for special solvents and additives. DPCP showed a response rate of 60% in severe AA, 17% in alopecia totalis or universalis, and 88-100% in patchy AA.
37 citations,
September 2009 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Diphencyprone (DPC) is an effective and safe long-term treatment for alopecia areata, especially with maintenance therapy.
36 citations,
May 2005 in “BMC dermatology” DPCP is effective for treating severe alopecia areata, but relapse is common.
12 citations,
November 2003 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Topical diphencyprone helped regrow hair in mice and rats with a condition similar to human hair loss.
60 citations,
September 2001 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Topical contact sensitizers can treat certain skin conditions by changing the immune response.
132 citations,
November 1998 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Topical sensitizers have mixed success in treating alopecia areata.
October 2022 in “Journal of Armed Forces Medical College, Bangladesh” Tofacitinib is effective and safe for treating alopecia areata.
5 citations,
June 2015 in “Veterinary dermatology” A dog with complete hair loss regrew most hair after treatment, with no relapse after stopping treatment.
January 2014 in “DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)” Minoxidil can effectively treat patchy hair loss by stimulating hair growth.
39 citations,
April 2003 in “Australasian journal of dermatology” PUVA treatment led to significant hair regrowth in over half of the patients with alopecia areata totalis and universalis.
