Alopecia: Latest Advances and Prospects
A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Dermatology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 July 2026 | Viewed by 4
Special Issue Editors
Interests: alopecia areata; frontal fibrosing alopecia; hidradenitis suppurativa; acne; skin cancer; nevi; dermoscopy; atopic dermatitis; quality of life; psychodermatology
2. 2nd Department of Dermatology-Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, "Attikon" General University Hospital, Athens, Greece
Interests: dermoscopy; clinical dermatology; trichology; dermatology; skin cancer
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Background and history of this topic: Alopecias comprise a heterogeneous group of hair disorders that affect many individuals and are associated with marked psychosocial impact and reduced quality of life. Modern care has changed substantially, as clinicians now use clearer diagnostic pathways and more structured, patient-tailored therapeutic approaches. Despite recent progress, challenges remain: disease heterogeneity, prevention of relapse and durable maintenance of response, early control of inflammation and fibrosis in cicatricial hair disorders, optimal dosing, and unresolved questions regarding etiopathogenesis, among others.
Aim and scope of the Special Issue: This Special Issue aims to provide a focused, clinically oriented overview of new and emerging topics in the diagnosis, etiopathology, treatment, and long-term management of alopecias. Cutting-edge research: Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- New systemic and topical treatment regimens;
- Alopecia areata: new agents, efficacy and safety, relapse prevention, and real-world outcomes;
- Androgenetic alopecia: optimization of antiandrogen therapy, low-dose oral minoxidil protocols, and sex-specific considerations;
- Cicatricial alopecias: activity assessment, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic approaches, steroid-sparing protocols, and flare prevention;
- Procedures and devices: standardized protocols and outcomes for PRP, microneedling, low-level light therapy, adjunctive combinations, and hair transplantation;
- Diagnostic advances: trichoscopy standards, quantitative metrics, and diagnostic accuracy studies;
- Etiopathogenesis and biomarkers: immune, hormonal, fibrotic, and exposome pathways linked to disease induction/recurrence, prognosis, and treatment response;
- Exposome factors (e.g., UV, cosmetics, leave-on filters, pollutants) and their impact on hair disorders;
- Special populations and scenarios: hair diseases in childhood, care during pregnancy and lactation, endocrine evaluation in female pattern hair loss, and LGBTQ-inclusive practices;
- Safety and monitoring: adverse events, lab/clinical follow-up schedules, and real-world effectiveness;
- The role of modern dermocosmetics in scalp care.
What kind of papers we are soliciting: We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, prospective and retrospective cohorts/registries, and meta-analyses that provide valuable insights into hair disorders diagnosis, etiopathogenesis, and treatment. Please kindly note that this Special Issue will not consider mini-reviews or case reports.
Prof. Dr. Alexander C. Katoulis
Guest Editor
Dr. Georgia Pappa
Guest Editor Assistant
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- alopecia
- hair disorders
- diagnosis
- treatment
- real-world evidence
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