Research Highlights New Causes and Treatments for Hair Loss

A new supplement of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, “Alopecia: A New Frontier,” features two articles highlighting new causes and treatments of hair loss. The first article reveals that a new type of medication called JAK inhibitors can effectively treat moderate to severe alopecia areata – a type of hair loss – that has historically been difficult to treat. The second article shows an increase in the number of medications causing hair loss, due in part to new treatment options for a number of common medical conditions.

“Janus kinase inhibitors for alopecia areata”

Courtney Martens first noticed a bald patch about the size of a silver dollar on her scalp when she was 38. She was diagnosed with alopecia areata and received treatment with JAK inhibitors from board-certified dermatologist Sandra Johnson, MD, FAAD, in Fort Smith, Ark., eventually regrowing all of her hair.

“Medication-induced hair loss: An update”

Patients experiencing medication-induced hair loss can experience a range of symptoms, with reversible hair loss – which typically happens about three months after starting a new medication – being the most frequent culprit. Board-certified dermatologists, as the experts in the diagnosis and treatment of hair loss, can help patients determine if a new medication is the cause of their hair loss after ruling out other possible causes.

Since August is Hair Loss Awareness Month, this is a great time to share this valuable health information with your audience. we would be happy to connect you with Dr. Johnson and Courtney, who can share her personal story, as well as the co-authors of the article, board-certified dermatologists Brett King, MD, FAAD, and Brittany Craiglow, MD, FAAD, who are both associate professors of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine. We can also connect you with board-certified dermatologist Kristen Lo Sicco, MD, FAAD, associate professor of dermatology at the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at New York University Grossman School of Medicine and a co-author of the article, who can discuss the medications that can cause hair loss for conditions ranging from cancer and autoimmune disorders to depression and osteoporosis.

[VM/Newswise]

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