Top 20 Hair Research Studies of 2021

Top 20 Hair Research Studies of 2021

I am pleased to announce my selections for the top 20 hair research studies of 2021. These studies were reviewed in detail during the Dec 8 , 2021 webinar. Congratulations to these researchers. These studies directly impact what goes on the clinic and influence some of the key research questions that need to be asked next. 2600 abstracts and studies were reviewed during the process of determining the top 20 of 2021. Criteria used to select the top 20 include: 1) novelty/uniqueness of research 2) quality of research 3) ability to directly and immediately impact clinical practice 4) ability to generate new paradigm shift in field of hair loss  5) ability to stimulate and highlight key areas of additional research and 6) ability to impact patient safety. 

Group 1: Androgenetic Alopecia

Jiang Y et al.  Relationship between the exercise and severity of androgenic alopecia. Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2021 Jul 28;46(7):725-730.

DuBois J et al. Setipiprant for Androgenetic Alopecia in Males: Results from a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 2a Trial.  Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021 Oct 15;14:1507-1517.

Panchaprateep et al. Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil 5 mg Once Daily in the Treatment of Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: An Open-Label and Global Photographic Assessment. Dermatol Ther. 2020 Dec;10(6):1345-1357

Kang MJ et al. 5α-Reductase inhibitors in men aged 50 years or older with androgenetic alopecia: A retrospective study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021 Jan;84(1):172-173.

Zaky M et al. Therapeutic implications of topical cetirizine 1% in treatment of male androgenetic alopecia: A case-controlled study. J Cosmet Dermatol 2021 Apr;20(4):1154-1159.

Mostafa D et al. Efficacy of Cetirizine 1% Versus Minoxidil 5% Topical Solution in the Treatment of Male Alopecia: A Randomized, Single-blind Controlled Study. J Pharm Pharm Sci 2021;24:191-199.

Abdel-Raouf et al. A novel topical combination of minoxidil and spironolactone for androgenetic alopecia: Clinical, histopathological, and physicochemical study.  Dermatol Ther. 2021 Jan;34(1):e14678.

Piraccini et al. Efficacy and safety of topical finasteride spray solution for male androgenetic alopecia: a phase III, randomized, controlled clinical trial. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021 Oct 11.

Group 2: Alopecia Areata

Glickman JW et al. Cross sectional study of blood biomarkers of patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata reveals systemic immune and cardiovascular biomarker dysregulation. J Am Acad Dermatol 2021; 84(2): 370-80.

Kim K-H. Characterization of a cohort of 294 patients with late-onset alopecia areata. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021 Nov;85(5):1336-1337.

Group 3: Scarring Alopecia

Scarring Alopecia - CCCA

Samrao A. Evaluating the association of central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) and fibroproliferative disorder. Dermatol Online J 2021; Aug 15; 27(8).

Brown-Korsah et al. Association of breast and colorectal cancer in patients with central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: A retrospective, cross-sectional pilot study. J Am Acad Dermatol 2021 Mar;84(3):859-860.

Scarring Alopecia - Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

Grassi S et al. Frontal fibrosing alopecia and genital Lichen sclerosus: Single-center experience. J Cosmet Dermatol; 2021; Feb; 20(2): 615-620

Scarring Alopecia - Lichen Planopilaris

Conic et al. Exploring the association between lichen planopilaris, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021 Nov;35(11):e826-e828. 

Vano-Galvan S et al. Oral minoxidil improves background hair thickness in lichen planopilaris. J Am Acad Dermatol 2021 Jun;84(6):1684-1686.

Group 4: Minoxidil Toxicity in Pets

Tater KC  et al.Topical Minoxidil Exposures and Toxicoses in Dogs and Cats: 211 Cases (2001-2019). J Am Animal Hosp Assoc 2021; 57(5): 225-231

Group 5: Breast Implant Illness and Hair Loss

Magno-Padron D. A population-based study of breast implant illness. Arch Plast Surg. 2021 Jul;48(4):353-360.

Group 6: Clinical Evaluation

Pathoulas JT. Evaluation of standardized scalp photography on patient perception of hair loss severity, anxiety, and treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol 2021 Dec;85(6):1640-1641.

Group 7: Hair Loss and Chemotherapy

Bhoyrul B et al. Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Response to Treatment of Persistent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Breast Cancer Survivors. JAMA Dermatol. 2021 Nov 1;157(11):1335-1342.

Dilawari et al. Does Scalp Cooling Have the Same Efficacy in Black Patients Receiving Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer? Oncologist. 2021 Apr;26(4):292-e548.