Hair loss is a broad category that can be difficult for dermatology clinicians to manage. Having a scripted or algorithmic approach to alopecia consults can decrease clinician anxiety, says Dr. Adam Friedman, co-chair of the ODAC Dermatology, Aesthetic & Surgical Conference. Next Steps in Derm, in partnership with ODAC, interviewed Dr. Friedman, who shared his approach for evaluating alopecia patients. Watch as he outlines three questions to ask at an initial visit. Learn how looking at other areas of the body can help you make a diagnosis. Find out the one question you should ask before conducting a hair pull test. Plus hear why being a good listener at an initial visit can help engage a patient for the long term.
Further Reading
If you want to read more about alopecia, check out the following articles published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology:
Safety and Efficacy of Minoxidil Treatment in Scarring Alopecia: A Scoping Review
ABSTRACT
Background: Topical minoxidil (TM) has been a cornerstone in treating various hair loss disorders, while low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) is emerging as an effective alternative. Despite their widespread use, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding their use in treating scarring alopecia.
Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of TM and LDOM in managing scarring alopecia.
Methods: A systematic literature search identified relevant studies on TM and LDOM use in central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, frontal fibrosing alopecia, lichen planopilaris, and traction alopecia. Key metrics included disease stabilization, hair thickness improvement, hair regrowth, and side effect profiles.
Results: Analysis of the selected studies revealed mixed outcomes. Most participants experienced benefits in terms of disease stabilization and hair regrowth with TM and LDOM. The majority of cases reported good tolerability of the treatment, although some side effects were noted.
Conclusion: TM and LDOM show promise in scarring alopecia treatment, demonstrating benefits in disease stabilization and hair regrowth. Despite these positive indications, the variability in results and reported side effects underline the need for further research to establish their consistent efficacy and safety profiles in scarring alopecia treatment.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Across the Spectrum of Alopecias: Where Are We Now?
ABSTRACT
Alopecia is characterized by the aberrant absence or loss of hair. The condition is intricately linked to the complex physiology of the hair follicle (HF), where numerous stem cell populations reside and participate in cycles of regeneration. In non-cicatricial alopecia (NCA), the HF stem cells are preserved and there is potential for regrowth whereas they are irreversibly destroyed in cicatricial alopecia (CA). Leveraging the HF’s regenerative capacity to stimulate hair growth holds promising therapeutic potential.
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