Acquired Alopecia

August 2025 in “ EMC - AKOS - Trattato di Medicina ”

A. Souissi, M. Mokni

acquired alopecia non-scarring alopecia scarring alopecia hair follicles skin biopsy

TLDR Non-scarring alopecia can regrow hair, but scarring alopecia is often permanent and needs quick treatment.

The document discusses acquired alopecia, which can be classified into non-scarring and scarring types. Non-scarring alopecia involves changes in hair growth but allows for potential regrowth as hair follicles are preserved, while scarring alopecia results in follicle destruction and is often irreversible, requiring a skin biopsy for diagnosis. The diagnosis of alopecia relies on detailed patient history and clinical examination. Non-scarring alopecia, although reversible, can have a significant psychological impact, whereas scarring alopecia often leads to considerable aesthetic damage, with prognosis heavily dependent on timely treatment.

View this study on sciencedirect.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

18 / 18 results

research Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil Improves Hair Density in Traction Alopecia

February 2023 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil helps increase hair density in traction alopecia.

research Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata

148 citations , March 2022 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Baricitinib was effective in treating alopecia areata in two major trials.

research Refractory Folliculitis Decalvans Treated With Adalimumab: A Case Series of 23 Patients

24 citations , March 2022 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Adalimumab improved folliculitis decalvans in most patients.

research Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss: A Multicenter Study of 1404 Patients

39 citations , February 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil safely treats hair loss, with hypertrichosis as main side effect.

research Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil in Female Androgenetic Alopecia

14 citations , September 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Oral minoxidil improves hair density in women with androgenetic alopecia, with mild side effects.

research Spironolactone for Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

15 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Spironolactone effectively treats female pattern hair loss with few side effects.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss and Androgen Excess: A Report From the Multidisciplinary Androgen Excess and PCOS Committee

49 citations , February 2019 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Use "female pattern hair loss" term, assess androgen excess, treat with minoxidil and other medications if needed.

research Androgens in Women: Role in Androgen-Mediated Cutaneous Disorders

56 citations , October 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Androgens play a complex role in skin conditions like acne and hair loss in women, and normal blood levels don't always show true androgen status.

research Treatment of Chronic Telogen Effluvium with Oral Minoxidil: A Retrospective Study

40 citations , September 2017 in “F1000Research”

Oral minoxidil effectively reduces hair shedding in women with CTE, with no major side effects.

research Genetics and Other Factors in the Etiology of Female Pattern Hair Loss

43 citations , April 2017 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Female pattern hair loss has unclear causes, possibly involving genetics, hormones, and environment, and needs better treatments.

research Multi-Therapies in Androgenetic Alopecia: Review and Clinical Experiences

55 citations , July 2016 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Multiple treatments work best for hair loss.

research 5% Minoxidil: Treatment for Female Pattern Hair Loss

8 citations , October 2015 in “PubMed”

5% minoxidil foam effectively treats female hair loss.

research Six Novel Susceptibility Loci for Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia and Their Unexpected Association with Common Diseases

87 citations , May 2012 in “PLOS Genetics”

Six new genetic regions linked to early hair loss also connect to Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer, possibly leading to new treatments.

Therapeutic Hotline: Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia with Finasteride May Result in High-Grade Prostate Cancer in Patients: Fact or Fiction?

research Therapeutic Hotline: Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia with Finasteride May Result in High-Grade Prostate Cancer in Patients: Fact or Fiction?

9 citations , September 2010 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Finasteride for hair loss is safe and does not increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer.

research Minoxidil: Mechanisms of Action on Hair Growth

397 citations , February 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by opening potassium channels and increasing cell activity.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in Men Aged 40-69 Years: Prevalence and Risk Factors

155 citations , December 2003 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Hair loss increases with age; alcohol raises risk, more female partners lowers it.

research Effects of Minoxidil 2% vs. Cyproterone Acetate Treatment on Female Androgenetic Alopecia: A Controlled, 12-Month Randomized Trial

149 citations , June 2002 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil works better for female hair loss, but cyproterone reduces scalp oiliness and causes menstrual issues.

research Androgenetic Alopecia and Microinflammation

131 citations , August 2000 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Inflammation may be linked to hair loss, and targeting specific enzymes could help treat it.

Similar Research

6 / 1000+ results

Therapeutic Strategy for Hair Regeneration: Hair Cycle Activation, Niche Environment Modulation, Wound-Induced Follicle Neogenesis, and Stem Cell Engineering

research Therapeutic Strategy for Hair Regeneration: Hair Cycle Activation, Niche Environment Modulation, Wound-Induced Follicle Neogenesis, and Stem Cell Engineering

74 citations , January 2013 in “Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy”

The conclusion is that hair growth can be improved by activating hair cycles, changing the surrounding environment, healing wounds to create new hair follicles, and using stem cell technology.

Focused Review on Metal Nanoparticles in Hair Regeneration and Alopecia: Insights into Mechanisms, Assessment Techniques, Toxicity, Regulatory and Intellectual Property Perspectives

research Focused Review on Metal Nanoparticles in Hair Regeneration and Alopecia: Insights into Mechanisms, Assessment Techniques, Toxicity, Regulatory and Intellectual Property Perspectives

June 2025 in “Journal of Cluster Science”

Metal nanoparticles show promise for treating hair loss but need more research to ensure safety.

research Alopecia in IL-10-Deficient Mouse Pups Is c-Kit-Dependent and Can Be Triggered by Iron Deficiency

15 citations , January 2010 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Hair loss in certain young mice is linked to a specific gene and can be caused by lack of iron.

research ABC of Dermatology: Diseases of the Hair and Scalp

1 citations , February 1988 in “The BMJ”

The document explains different hair and scalp conditions, including common hair loss after pregnancy or illness, drug-induced hair loss, hereditary excessive hair growth, patterned baldness, autoimmune hair loss, and permanent loss due to skin disease, with generally limited treatment options.

research Alopecia Areata in a Rhesus Monkey (Macaca Mulatta)

16 citations , April 2007 in “Journal of Medical Primatology”

The monkey's hair loss was due to an autoimmune disease, not genetics.

research Feature Characterization of Scarring and Non-Scarring Types of Alopecia by Multiphoton Microscopy

24 citations , September 2018 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

Multiphoton microscopy can non-invasively tell apart scarring from non-scarring hair loss and could aid in treatment.