Review of Treatment for Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis

April 2017 in “ International Journal of Dermatology ”

Sama Kassira, Dorota Z. Korta, Lance W. Chapman, Francis Dann

TLDR No treatment is completely effective for alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis.

The review examined treatments for alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU), focusing on evidence from 40 studies retrieved from PubMed between 2000 and 2016. Treatments included topical immunotherapy, steroids, photodynamic therapy, immunosuppressive agents, TNFα inhibitors, and other therapies like sulfasalazine, bexarotene, JAK inhibitors, and simvastatin/ezetimibe. While some treatments showed significant hair regrowth, none were completely effective. The most promising therapies were diphenylcyclopropenone, squaric acid dibutylester, photodynamic therapy, steroids, and cyclosporine with methylprednisolone. The review highlighted the need for high-quality randomized-controlled trials with large sample sizes and unified outcome guidelines to better compare future studies.

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Research cited in this study

26 / 26 results

research Treatment of an Alopecia Areata Patient with Tofacitinib Results in Regrowth of Hair and Changes in Serum and Skin Biomarkers

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The combined therapy was effective and safe for children with severe alopecia areata.

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16 citations , March 2015 in “Dermatologic therapy”

Zinc supplementation may be an important part of treating severe hair loss.

Efficacy and Safety of Diphenylcyclopropenone Alone or in Combination with Anthralin in the Treatment of Chronic Extensive Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Case Series

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44 citations , February 2015 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Combining diphenylcyclopropenone with anthralin is more effective for hair regrowth in alopecia areata than using diphenylcyclopropenone alone, but may cause more side effects.

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Methylprednisolone infusions can help some people with severe alopecia regrow hair.

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A man with severe hair loss and skin disease regrew his hair with no side effects after taking tofacitinib.

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Personalized treatment plans are important for people with alopecia areata.

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Oral cyclosporine can help regrow hair in severe alopecia areata cases.

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38 citations , January 2013 in “Dermatology”

Careful patient selection is key for effective pulse corticosteroid treatment in children with alopecia areata.

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26 citations , September 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Patients with rapidly progressive alopecia areata often have a better outlook and shorter disease duration, with regrown fine hairs and no past alopecia being positive signs.

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Some people with severe, long-lasting baldness responded well to a specific combination treatment.

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PUVASOL might effectively treat complete scalp baldness.

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Topical bexarotene 1% gel might help regrow hair in alopecia areata and is generally safe.

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24 citations , March 2009 in “Archives of dermatological research”

The combination of oral PUVA and corticosteroids helps regrow hair in severe alopecia areata.

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Sulfasalazine may help treat persistent alopecia areata.

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97 citations , January 2006 in “Dermatology”

imTA and pulse therapy are effective for alopecia areata with manageable side effects, but relapse rates need improvement.

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36 citations , May 2005 in “BMC dermatology”

DPCP is effective for treating severe alopecia areata, but relapse is common.

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182 citations , October 2003 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

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Clobetasol propionate ointment can help some people with total hair loss regrow hair.

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