Introduction: Alopecia is a common concern encountered in the medical practice. Treatment approach varies according to the type and severity of alopecia. However, available treatment options have limited efficacy and several adverse effects. Presently, there are different treatment options being studied to overcome these limitations. Additionally, cellular pathways involved in the pathophysiology of alopecia are further being clarified to potentially target pathogenic molecules.
Areas covered: We searched the literature for recently published articles discussing new treatment options as well as mechanisms involved in alopecia. We discuss the use of stem cells, growth factors, cellular pathways and robotic hair transplant, among other emerging therapies used for alopecia.
Expert opinion: Future looks very promising and new effective treatments such as janus kinase inhibitors could possibly be available for alopecia areata. The stem-cell technology is advancing and companies involved in hair follicle neogenesis are starting clinical trials on patients with androgenetic alopecia.
Keywords: IL-2; abatacept; alopecia areata; androgenetic alopecia; bimatoprost; chemotherapy-induced alopecia; dutasteride; excimer laser; finasteride; hair transplant; iron; janus kinase inhibitors; micropigmentation; minoxidil; pioglitazone; platelet-rich plasma; prostaglandin; retinoids; ruxolitinib; scalp cooling; scarring alopecia; stem cells; tofacitinib; trichotillomania; vitamin D; wnt pathway.