Combination Therapy with Zinc Gluconate and PUVA for Alopecia Areata Totalis: An Adjunctive but Crucial Role of Zinc Supplementation

March 2015 in “ Dermatologic therapy ”

Christine Lux-Battistelli

zinc gluconate PUVA therapy alopecia areata totalis alopecia areata universalis hair regrowth zinc supplementation serum levels hair levels zinc PUVA

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

The document reported on two cases of alopecia areata totalis and universalis treated with a combination of PUVA therapy and zinc gluconate. While hair regrowth was initially achieved, relapse occurred after stopping the therapy. However, reintroduction of zinc gluconate, with or without episodic PUVA, led to hair regrowth, suggesting a significant role of zinc. The findings indicated a potential subgroup of zinc-responsive patients, though identifying them remains challenging. The study recommended a zinc dosage of 30-40 mg/day for at least 1 year, with monitoring of serum and hair levels, and called for larger studies to further explore zinc's therapeutic effects.

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