Hair Research: Progress in the Field of Hair Loss Comes from a United Effort

Knowledge in Hair Loss Moves Forward Through a Collective Effort

Research is critically important to advance science and improve the quality of life for those affected by hair loss. Progress and developments in the field of hair loss move forward in two ways - although only one of these ways is typically the way most people are aware of or come to think of when asked.

The first is through dedicated hair research. Studies of hair follicles, hair biology or patients with hair loss give new information and help push the field along. This seems obvious.

The second method is less obvious and is through the insights we gain from other fields of study. Breakthroughs in the field of psoriasis research, arthritis research, cancer research and eczema research have created exciting new options for hair loss patients in recent years and more are on the way.

Here are some examples:

In 1995, the anti androgen bicalutamide was FDA approved for treating prostate cancer in men. Last week, I used Bicalutamide off label to treat androgenetic alopecia in a post menopausal woman.

In 2002, the TNF inhibitor adalimumab was FDA approved for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Last week I used adalimumab off label to treat a difficult scarring alopecia known as dissecting cellulitis.

In 2012, the drug tofacitinib was approved by the FDA for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Yesterday, I prescribed tofacitinib off label for treating advanced alopecia areata. 

In 2014, apremilast (Otezla) was FDA approved for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. This week I used apremilast off label for a patient with difficult to treat lichen planopilaris.

In 2017, the FDA approved dupilumab for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. This week I used dupilumab off label for treating alopecia areata.

Breakthroughs in other fields of study have similarly also brought new options.

If you think that new information being revealed this week at a congress of cancer research will have no impact on the field of hair loss research, you are wrong. If you think that new information being revealed this week in a journal devoted to rheumatoid arthritis will have no impact on the field of hair loss research, you are also mistaken. The field of hair loss is moving forward at great speeds and exciting new breakthroughs are around the corner.