November 2025 in “Turkish Journal of Dermatology” In this study, retrospective analysis of patients with severe alopecia areata showed that oral JAK inhibitors, tofacitinib and baricitinib, reduced hair loss significantly, with comparable effectiveness; longer tofacitinib use was linked to greater improvement, while baricitinib achieved substantial outcomes quickly.
66 citations
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June 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” In this phase 2 study, baricitinib at 2 mg and 4 mg doses significantly improved hair regrowth in adults with alopecia areata and ≥50% scalp hair loss compared to placebo, without new safety concerns, although the small sample size limits the results' generalizability.
42 citations
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November 2018 in “Archives of dermatological research” Apremilast was not effective in treating moderate-to-severe alopecia areata.
39 citations
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January 2017 in “Dermatologic Therapy” This study found that topical calcipotriol lotion resulted in hair regrowth in 59.1% of alopecia areata patients, with better response observed in those with lower serum vitamin D levels.
24 citations
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January 2017 in “Pediatric dermatology” This study found that 1% anthralin ointment effectively promoted hair growth in children with chronic, severe alopecia areata, showing complete or partial responses in 70% of participants over 12 months, without serious adverse events.