Evidence Based Hair Dr Jeff Donovan

The Evidence Based Hair Podcast addresses new research in the world of hair loss

Welcome back to another episode of the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast.   This week, we continue our June theme of JAK inhibitors, focusing on the use of topical JAK inhibitors for treating frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) and lichen planopilaris (LPP).
In this episode, we delve into a significant study by Dr. Maryanne Senna and colleagues from Boston, exploring the effectiveness and side effects of topical 2% tofacitinib for LPP and FFA. The study, involving 41 patients, provides valuable statistics on improvement and stabilization rates, offering practical insights for clinical application.
We discuss the potential of topical JAK inhibitors, given their less systemic absorption compared to oral forms, and their specific relevance to scarring alopecia where inflammation is closer to the skin's surface. Despite some challenges with compounded topical formulations, the study's promising results highlight a third of patients showing improvement and over 60% achieving disease stabilization.
Join us as we wrap up our June series on JAK inhibitors and prepare for July, where we'll focus on the antiandrogen spironolactone and its use in androgenetic hair loss in women.
 
Thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to our next discussion on the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast.
 
STUDY REFERENCED
Li-Chi Chen, Chino Ogbutor, Kristen J Kelley, Maryanne M Senna. Topical tofacitinib for patients with lichen planopilaris and/or frontal fibrosing alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024 Jun;90(6):1260-1262. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.01.060. Epub 2024 Feb 2.

Welcome to another episode of the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast. In this episode, Dr. Donovan delves into an insightful study by Zhao and colleagues, published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, titled "Baricitinib Therapy for Pediatric Patients with Severe Alopecia Areata."
This episode continues the June series dedicated to JAK inhibitors. Dr. Donovan highlights the increasing global use of these medications for treating severe alopecia areata, including the recent approvals of baricitinib and ritlicitinib.
The featured study examines the effectiveness and safety of baricitinib in treating children with severe alopecia areata, focusing on a small group of 10 patients aged between under two years to 13 years. The results reveal promising regrowth and mild side effects, underscoring the potential of baricitinib for younger patients.
Dr. Donovan discusses the broader implications of these findings, including the likelihood of future approvals for younger age groups and the importance of long-term safety data. He emphasizes the need for ongoing research and real-world studies to better understand the prolonged effects of JAK inhibitors.
Join Dr. Donovan next week for the final episode of the June series, where he will explore a study on the use of topical tofacitinib for treating lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia.

The Evidence Based Hair Podcast is a podcast dedicated to recent research in hair loss.

The Evidence Based Hair Podcast is a podcast dedicated to recent research in hair loss.

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Donovan, a dermatologist and hair loss specialist, examines the effect of topical minoxidil in enhancing beard hair growth in men 
Dr. Donovan focuses on a study published in Sage Open Medicine Case Reports titled, "Facial Hair Enhancement with Minoxidil and Off-Label Use". This study highlights the impact of using topical minoxidil for beard hair growth. As a subject frequently questioned by men worldwide, understanding the benefits, side effects, and the result of its use is vital.
A noteworthy part of this study was that it compared the use of topical minoxidil by two identical twins. Only one of the twins applied minoxidil on his face, and as early as the first month, finer, lighter-colored hairs appeared on his beard and mustache. He experienced hair shedding for a few months but still showed overall improvement in hair density and count after using minoxidil for 16 months.
Despite mild side effects such as skin dryness and hypertrichosis on ears and forehead, as well as increased body hair in other areas, the study shows that minoxidil can be an effective strategy for males wishing to enhance their facial hair. The patient in the case report switched to topical minoxidil foam due to dry flakiness caused by the solution, suggesting that the foam might be a preferable choice for some users.
To sum up, this 16-month-long study provides valuable insights on the potential effectiveness of using minoxidil for beard growth. Despite the side effects and need for more long-term data, the results suggest that it is a reasonably safe and potentially helpful approach for those who desire to improve their facial hair density.