Hair loss
About this PSP
Hair loss (alopecia) is a common, often distressing, problem that can be caused by a number of different diseases or as a side effect of other treatments. This PSP asked people whose life is affected by hair loss and people involved in treating hair loss to think about what's wrong with existing treatments and what future research they would like to see.
The PSP was steered by leading UK clinicians and patients, Alopecia UK and the British Hair and Nail Society. 912 people responded to its initial survey, submitting 1,823 questions which were within the remit of the PSP.
See news from this PSP: November 2015, October 2015.
The Hair Loss PSP published two Top 10s in November 2015.
PSP Website
Impact after the Top 10
Key documents
Top 10 priorities
for Alopecia areata (includes totalis, universalis and barbae)
- What are the causes of alopecia areata? For example- medications, medical problems, lifestyle, vaccinations.
- Are immunosuppressant therapies (for example- methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil) better than placebo in the treatment of alopecia areata?
- In alopecia areata, are biological therapies (including JAK inhibitors and anti-cytokine therapies) more effective than placebo in causing hair re-growth?
- Are psychological interventions helpful in alopecia areata?
- Can progression of alopecia areata be prevented by early diagnosis and treatment?
- Do certain foods, vitamins or nutritional supplements improve hair re-growth in alopecia areata?
- What can be learnt about alopecia areata from other autoimmune conditions?
- In whom does alopecia areata hair loss progress and why?
- Do any treatments have a long-term benefit in alopecia areata?
- How effective are alternative therapies in alopecia areata?)
for Hair Loss Disorders (excluding Alopecia areata)
- What is the most effective treatment for frontal fibrosing alopecia?
- What are the causes of frontal fibrosing alopecia?- for example- dietary, genetic, autoimmune, skin care products, medications, hormonal, environmental, vaccination, infection.
- What are the causes of female pattern hair loss?- for example- genetic, hormonal and childbirth, autoimmune, dietary, other medical conditions, environmental factors.
- In all types of hair loss, are psychological therapies effective in improving patient outcomes?
- In all types of hair loss, what outcome measures should be used to assess severity of hair loss, progression and impact on the individual?
- Is spironolactone helpful in managing female pattern hair loss?
- In all types of hair loss, does raising ferritin levels/replacing iron improve hair growth? And what is the optimal level of ferritin?
- What is the most effective treatment for Lichen planopilaris?
- In all types of hair loss, do certain diets or nutritional supplements (for example vitamin D) prevent or improve hair loss?
- In female pattern hair loss, does hormone replacement therapy (HRT) halt progression of the hair loss compared to placebo?