Alopecia Areata Treatment Options
Health ConditionsSkin ConditionsAlopecia

What Are the Treatment Options for Alopecia Areata?

What Are the Treatment Options for Alopecia Areata?
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Updated on August 20, 2025
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Alopecia areata can be difficult to treat, but with the right products and medication, it’s possible to delay or prevent further hair loss. In some cases, it’s even possible to partially regrow hair.

Some medications work by halting the immune system’s attack on the body’s hair follicles, while others help stimulate hair regrowth.

 The right treatment for you will depend on the severity of the hair loss (among other factors). A board-certified dermatologist can help you make a decision.

Here’s a look at the alopecia areata treatments available, as well as what results you might expect.

What Medications Are Used to Treat Alopecia Areata?

Board-certified dermatologist Kristen Lo Sicco, MD, discusses some of the available options for the skin condition.
What Medications Are Used to Treat Alopecia Areata?

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Treatments and Medications for Alopecia Areata

The most common treatments for alopecia areata include oral medications, topical therapies, and injections, says Kristen Lo Sicco, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at NYU Langone Dermatologic Associates in New York City.

Oral Medications

Oral medications are one of the first treatment methods your dermatologist may consider for treating alopecia areata. They include:

  • Immunosuppressants Immunosuppressants work by tamping down the immune system’s attack on healthy hair follicles, which helps prevent further hair loss. If hair follicles are restored, hair regrowth may also be possible. Oral immunosuppressants include corticosteroids, such as prednisone, which can also be combined with other immunosuppressants for maximum effect. It may take up to six weeks until you see hair regrowth with oral immunosuppressants. The treatment works best for rapid or widespread alopecia areata.

  • Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors JAK inhibitors block enzymes that may contribute to inflammation in the body. These medications include baricitinib (Olumiant), deuruxolitinib (Leqselvi), and ritlecitinib (Litfulo), though others can be prescribed off label, including ruxolitinib (Jakafi) and tofacitinib (Xeljanz).

     Hair regrowth, when it occurs, tends to happens after 6 to 18 months on the drug.

     JAK inhibitors may treat extensive hair loss related to alopecia areata, but many people have recurring hair loss once they stop taking these medications.

  • Methotrexate Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) is traditionally used to treat severe psoriasis and certain cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.

     Your dermatologist may consider methotrexate for alopecia areata if you have extensive hair loss and no other treatment has worked.

     One study showed that methotrexate, when combined with low-dose prednisone, stimulated complete or almost complete hair regrowth.

     Methotrexate itself has immunosuppressant effects and may pose life-threatening risks that you should discuss carefully with a doctor before use.

Topical Treatments

Some topical treatments can help prevent further hair loss and stimulate hair growth on their own but may also be paired with oral medications. Topical therapies include:

  • Contact or Topical Immunotherapy This treatment works similarly to oral immunotherapy agents but is applied directly to the skin by a dermatologist. Like other types of immunotherapy, such as allergy shots, contact immunotherapy works by purposely triggering an allergic reaction in your skin. While you may have side effects at first, such as a rash and scaly skin, the hope with this treatment is that your hair will regrow within a few months.

     An estimated 17 to 75 percent of individuals have hair regrowth after use.

  • Topical Corticosteroids Topical steroids, applied directly to the skin, are available in creams, foams, and ointments. They are safer for long-term use than oral steroids. This treatment option tends to work well in children, but it’s not as effective for alopecia areata in adults.

  • Minoxidil Available over the counter for pattern hair loss, minoxidil (Rogaine) is sometimes recommended to help stimulate hair regrowth in alopecia areata.

     “Minoxidil works by relaxing the blood vessels, making it easier for blood circulation to get to the scalp,” says Michele Green, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. “The increased blood flow strengthens the hair follicle, promoting growth. It also has the benefit of maintaining the hair you currently have.” Minoxidil is applied to the scalp two or three times a day. It can take a few months to see any effects. In some cases, minoxidil may also be applied to the beard and eyebrow areas to help stimulate hair growth.

     It’s also used in combination with other treatments, such as JAK inhibitors and intralesional corticosteroids.

  • Anthralin Like monixidil, anthralin (Drithocreme HP) is a topical medication that’s applied directly to your scalp. Although traditionally used for psoriasis, anthralin may help treat alopecia areata when used in conjunction with minoxidil.

Injections

Some medications used to treat alopecia areata are applied topically. Others, such as steroids, may be injected into the area by a dermatologist. “Steroid injections to areas where you have experienced hair loss can suppress the immune system cells that are attacking the hair follicles and give your hair time to regrow,” says Dr. Green.

Like topical and oral versions, injectable corticosteroids may be used to help stop the immune-related attacks on the hair follicles. These may be given in the scalp, as well as other areas of the body. For the best results, you may need to repeat treatment every four to six weeks, or as recommended by your dermatologist.

Using a New Alopecia Areata Severity Score to Expand Access to Care

SALT scores have long been used to determine severity of alopecia areata, but they often fall short in assessing the condition.
Using a New Alopecia Areata Severity Score to Expand Access to Care

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Platelet-Rich Plasma

Another potential treatment for alopecia areata is PRP, which uses your own blood to stimulate hair regrowth. The blood is put in a centrifuge, and the platelets are separated from the plasma. Then, the platelet-rich solution is injected into the treatment area. A case study found that the treatment was safe and could lead to substantial hair regrowth.

“PRP has concentrated blood plasma, which contains platelet-derived growth factors and proteins,” says Green. “PRP contains up to five times more platelets than normal blood. Restoring the health of the hair follicles can reverse hair loss.”

PRP is not formally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and even though research confirms PRP may be a safe and effective treatment measure for alopecia areata, there are no specific recommendations to date. Also, this method may work best when combined with other treatments.

“It’s a very serious option for patients who are resistant to minoxidil and steroid therapy,” says Ken Williams, Jr., DO, a surgeon and the founder of Orange County Hair Restoration in Irvine, California. It’s more expensive, so you don’t jump to it as a first treatment.” He usually administers it as four treatments over nine months.

Diet and Other Lifestyle Considerations for Alopecia Areata

To date, no particular diet and lifestyle changes have been shown to prevent or treat alopecia areata, says Brittany Craiglow, MD, a dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut and an associate adjunct professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven. That said, following some healthy lifestyle habits may help keep the condition from getting worse:

  • Eat a healthy diet. Some nutrients may help promote hair growth, as well as complement existing alopecia areata treatments.

     Green recommends getting enough B complex and zinc, which may “promote thicker, stronger, and longer hair,” she says. Your doctor may also recommend taking supplements, such as vitamins C and D and iron.

     Talk to your doctor before taking any supplement.
  • Manage stress levels. Stress may play a role in triggering alopecia areata. Also, the effects of the condition can leave you feeling more stressed, leading to a cycle of hair loss and more stress. Try to take time each day for relaxing activities, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.

  • Protect your skin from the sun. Cover up any areas of bare skin that might be exposed to the sun or other environmental elements. For example, a hat or scarf can protect your scalp from ultraviolet rays, and sunglasses can help protect your eyes if alopecia areata has affected your eyelashes. You should also apply sunscreen daily. If you’ve experienced nasal hair loss, your doctor may recommend using petroleum jelly to protect your nose from germs.

     In some cases, a prescription antibiotic ointment, such as mupirocin (Bactroban), may help.

  • Go for regular checkups with your doctor. Since having one autoimmune disease can put you at risk for others, see your physician for regular physicals and blood testing. This can help your doctor diagnose such conditions as early as possible.

The Takeaway

  • The treatments for alopecia areata generally include oral medications, topical therapies, and injections.
  • The earlier you seek treatment, the better the chances of hair regrowth.
  • The unpredictable nature of alopecia areata can be frustrating, but try to be patient. It can take some time (and a bit of trial and error) to find a treatment method that works.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Alopecia Areata: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. August 2024.
  2. Immunosuppressants. Cleveland Clinic. August 1, 2023.
  3. Medication for Hair Loss. NYU Langone Health.
  4. FDA-Approved JAK Inhibitors. National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
  5. Expectations for JAK Inhibitor Treatment. National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
  6. Ludmann P. Hair Loss Types: Alopecia Areata Diagnosis and Treatment. American Academy of Dermatology Association. August 22, 2024.
  7. Methotrexate. MedlinePlus. February 15, 2025.
  8. Joly P et al. Efficacy of Methotrexate Alone vs Methotrexate Plus Low-Dose Prednisone in Patients With Alopecia Areata Totalis or Universalis: A 2-Step Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Dermatology. April 2023.
  9. Malhotra K et al. An Updated Review on Current Treatment of Alopecia Areata and Newer Therapeutic Options. International Journal of Trichology. January-February 2023.
  10. Minoxidyl Topical Solution or Foam. Cleveland Clinic.
  11. Available Treatments. National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
  12. Todorova LN et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma in Alopecia Areata: A Case Report With a Mini Review of Literature. Cureus. May 9, 2023.
  13. Alopecia Areata. Cleveland Clinic. August 30, 2023.
  14. Fisher J. Vitamins, Minerals, and Hair Loss: Is There a Connection? Harvard Health Publishing. April 22, 2024.
  15. Ludman P. Hair Loss Types: Alopecia Areata Self Care. American Academy of Dermatology Association. August 30, 2023.
  16. Stewart M. Mupirocin Nasal Ointment. Patient. January 18, 2025.
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Dr. Sanober Pezad

Sanober Pezad Doctor, MD

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Dr. Sanober Pezad Doctor is a double board-certified dermatologist and internationally recognized leader in integrative and holistic dermatology. She is an anti-aging and regenerative medicine specialist and the founder of AGEnesis and Baby SkinWise.

She earned her MD in dermatology, venereology, and leprology and a diplomate of national board (DNB) in dermatology. She is board certified in anti-aging and regenerative medicine from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). She's also a trained clinical homeopath through the Center for Education and Development of Clinical Homeopathy (CEDH).

Sanober is the founder of AGEnesis: The Holistic Aging Blueprint, a science-backed, multidimensional protocol for healthy skin aging, and Baby SkinWise, the world’s first audiovisual skincare guide for parents. She also hosts the YouTube channel "Healthy Aging with Dr. Doctor," where she delivers educational content on evidence-based skincare, hair health, and integrative health practices.

Sanober is a medical school gold medalist and recipient of multiple national and international awards. She is also the chief dermatology medical advisor for emerging clinical research in integrative skin and hair health, with more than 50 published scientific articles.

Sanober is a proactive, compassionate medical practitioner with a thorough understanding of overall mind-body-spiritual wellness. She's also a key advocate for the healthy aging movement. She's a simple mommy to the core and strongly believes "prevention is better than cure." She's on a mission to make you and me into the healthiest version of ourselves.

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Kristeen Cherney, PhD, is a freelance writer, essayist, author, and poet with more than 15 years of health writing experience for digital platforms such as Healthline, The Mighty, and LiveStrong. She’s covered nutrition, women’s and children’s wellness issues, as well as specialized topics ranging from diabetes and thyroid disease to anxiety, depression, asthma, allergies, and skin conditions.

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