Treating Alopecia Areata: Current Practices Versus New Directions

October 2016 in “ American journal of clinical dermatology ”

Aditya K. Gupta, Jessie Carviel, William Abramovits

alopecia areata corticosteroids immunosuppressants Janus kinase inhibitors tofacitinib ruxolitinib platelet-rich plasma excimer lasers JAK inhibitors PRP

TLDR New treatments like JAK inhibitors show promise for reversing alopecia areata.

The document reviewed treatments for alopecia areata, comparing traditional methods like corticosteroids and immunosuppressants with newer therapies such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (tofacitinib and ruxolitinib), which showed promise in reversing the condition by targeting immune pathways. Some patients experienced significant hair regrowth with JAK inhibitors. Other emerging treatments included platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and excimer lasers, though their effectiveness varied. The review highlighted the necessity for ongoing research to improve these therapies and understand their long-term effects.

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