Efficacy of Local and Whole-Body Phototherapy for the Treatment of Various Types of Alopecia Areata

December 2025 in “ Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine ”

Aya Yamamoto, Yuki Enomoto, M Sakurai, Osamu Watanabe, Takashi SAKAIDA, Yoshifumi Kanayama, Akimichi Morita

phototherapy alopecia areata local irradiation whole-body irradiation

TLDR Phototherapy effectively treats certain alopecia areata types, especially if started early.

This study at Nagoya City University Hospital assessed the efficacy of local versus whole-body phototherapy in 49 patients with alopecia areata (AA). Whole-body phototherapy was found to be more effective in stimulating hair growth, particularly in patients with refractory AA. The Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score indicated that 77.5% of patients had severe hair loss. Patients with a disease duration of less than 1 year and those aged 40 and above showed faster improvement. The overall remission rate was 8.2%, with AA totalis cases achieving a 50% remission rate. The study highlights the potential of whole-body phototherapy as a more effective treatment for severe AA, emphasizing the benefits of early intervention.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

290 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss, influenced by genetics, stress, and diet, and may be prevented by a high soy oil diet.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

421 citations , April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.

research Alopecia Areata: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Unusual Cases

109 citations , May 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that can lead to complete baldness, often associated with other autoimmune conditions, and half of the cases may see hair return within a year.

research Combination Therapy With Oral PUVA and Corticosteroid for Recalcitrant Alopecia Areata

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

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

research Acute Diffuse and Total Alopecia of the Female Scalp

59 citations , January 2002 in “Dermatology”

A new type of sudden, complete female hair loss was found, with most patients fully recovering within 6 months without needing steroid treatment.

research Topical Photochemotherapy for Alopecia Areata

63 citations , April 1985 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Topical PUVA can cause temporary hair regrowth in some alopecia areata patients but doesn't change the long-term outcome.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

$Effects of Phototherapy on Refractory Alopecia Areata$

research Effects of Phototherapy on Refractory Alopecia Areata

April 2023 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Phototherapy helps some patients with alopecia areata regrow hair, especially those with hair at treatment start and less severe forms of the condition.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review of Treatments and Their Efficacy

49 citations , November 1992 in “Archives of dermatology”

Different treatments for alopecia areata have varying success rates and side effects; intralesional steroids are most effective.

research Index

November 2019 in “Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology”

The document is a detailed medical reference on skin and genetic disorders.

research Overview of the Role of 308 Monochromatic Excimer Phototherapy for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

December 2022 in “IntechOpen eBooks”

308 excimer phototherapy is a safe and effective way to treat hair loss from Alopecia Areata.

research Guidelines for the Management of Alopecia Areata

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

The 2003 guidelines suggest that while some treatments can regrow hair in alopecia areata, none alter the disease's progression, and wigs may be the best option for extensive hair loss.

Efficacy of Local and Whole-Body Phototherapy for the Treatment of Various Types of Alopecia Areata

Research cited in this study

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

research Alopecia Areata: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Unusual Cases

research Combination Therapy With Oral PUVA and Corticosteroid for Recalcitrant Alopecia Areata

research Acute Diffuse and Total Alopecia of the Female Scalp

research Topical Photochemotherapy for Alopecia Areata

Related Community Posts Join

community Rare Non responder to Finasteride, Dutasteride, and oral minoxidil

community A meta analysis of 18 popular hair loss treatments. An 2022 guide on efficacy. From finasteride and minoxidil to caffeine shampoo, saw palmetto and biotin. 96 Scientific References included.

community Considering giving a laser comb a shot. Here’s a summary of my research on the subject.

community COMPLETE OVERVIEW of the Treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men

community Red Ginseng Extract Promotes the Hair Growth in Cultured Human Hair Follicles