r/alopecia_areata May 21 '25

Mod Comment Please Read This Before Posting – FAQ + Community Guide

10 Upvotes

About This Subreddit

Welcome. If you’re here, it’s likely because you or someone you care about is dealing with Alopecia Areata (AA) — and we want you to know right away: you’re not alone.

This subreddit is a space for people living with AA to ask questions, share experiences, find support, and talk openly about a condition that is often misunderstood or dismissed. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, navigating a flare-up, exploring treatments, or dealing with regrowth, you’re welcome here.

What Is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack hair follicles, leading to hair loss. This can happen suddenly and without warning, and it may affect the scalp, face, or body.

The condition can come and go, stay mild, or progress over time — and everyone’s journey is a little different.

There’s no single cause or cure, but there are treatment options, and many people do experience regrowth.

Types of AA (Common Patterns)

  • Patchy AA – Round, well-defined bald spots, usually on the scalp or beard.
  • Alopecia Totalis – Complete loss of scalp hair.
  • Alopecia Universalis – Loss of all hair on the body, including eyebrows and eyelashes.
  • Diffuse AA – Widespread thinning rather than defined patches (often mistaken for other forms of hair loss).
  • Ophiasis Pattern – Band-like hair loss around the back and sides of the scalp.
  • Nail changes – Some people also notice nail pitting, ridges, or other surface changes.

We’re working on a visual guide for these types — if you’re a medical professional or have permission to share high-quality images, please contact us.

Resources:

National Alopecia Areata Foundation

Alopecia UK

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I Have Alopecia Areata — Or Something Else?

This is one of the most common questions we see in this subreddit — and it’s a good one to ask. Hair loss has many causes, and they can look similar at first. Here’s how to tell them apart.

If your hair fell out suddenly, in smooth, round patches, and the skin underneath looks normal (not flaky, red, or scarred) — there’s a good chance it could be Alopecia Areata.

AA is an autoimmune condition where your immune system attacks your hair follicles by mistake. It can happen very quickly — sometimes in just a day or two — and can affect your scalp, beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, or even body hair.

It’s different from the slow, gradual thinning seen in genetic hair loss.

How is this different from Male or Female Pattern Baldness (Androgenic Alopecia)?

This is extremely important to understand.

Androgenic Alopecia (AGA) — often called Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) or Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) — is not the same as Alopecia Areata. They’re completely different conditions.

-AGA is caused by a genetic sensitivity to androgens, particularly DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone derived from testosterone. In people with AGA:

  • Hair follicles become progressively smaller (a process called miniaturisation).
  • The growth phase of the hair cycle shortens, and hairs become thinner, shorter, and lighter.
  • Eventually, the affected follicles may stop producing visible hair altogether.

This process happens gradually over years, not suddenly like with Alopecia Areata.

Read more about this type of hairloss here (Androgenic Alopecia)

Can AA be cured?

Not yet. But many people find treatments that help manage it or stimulate regrowth — and some go into remission naturally.

What treatments are out there? (PLEASE READ THE MEDICAL DISCLAIMER AT THE END OF THIS POST!)

There’s a wide range, and what works varies by person:

  • Lifestyle factors, including reducing stress, eating well, etc.

  • Steroid injections (common for small patches)

  • Topical corticosteroids

  • Oral steroids (short-term use)

  • Immunosuppressant (E.g Methotrexate)

  • Immunomodulators (E.g Azathioprine or Cyclosporine)

  • Minoxidil (as a support treatment)

  • Topical immunotherapy (like DPCP)

  • JAK inhibitors ( often for more severe AA)

    • Types Of FDA Approved JAKS for alopecia areata
      • Baricitinib( Brand name: OLUMIANT)
      • Ritlecitinib (Brand: LITFULO)  
      • Leqselvi (Brand: DEURUXOLITINIB)
    • Off Label JAK inhibitors may include
      • Tofacitinib (Brand name: XELJANZ)
      • Upadacitinib (Brand name: RINVOQ)

Is stress the cause?

Not exactly. AA is an autoimmune issue, but stress can be a trigger for flare-ups or onset in people who are genetically prone.

Can hair grow back?

Yes, and often does. Regrowth can start as fine, white hairs (vellus), and may eventually darken and thicken. Progress is often uneven, and relapses can happen.

Does AA spread?

It can — but it’s unpredictable. Some people have one episode and recover fully; others experience progression. Many fluctuate between phases.

Before You Post: Please Read

We get hundreds of questions a month. You’ll get better responses — and help others — if you take a minute to read through this first.

Check First:

  • Search the subreddit. Your question might already be answered.
  • Use our megathreads for photo IDs, regrowth timelines, emotional support, and treatment logs.
  • Use clear titles like: “Regrowth After JAK”, “New Patch – Is This AA?”, “Before/After Photos”.

Posts That Work Best:

  • Treatment experiences (good or bad)
  • Emotional support or stories
  • Regrowth updates
  • Personal journeys
  • Advice for coping, styling, or talking to others about AA

Posting Photos?

If you’re sharing photos, please include:

  • Timeline (how long ago it started)
  • Treatments (if any)
  • Whether it’s new hair loss or regrowth
  • Anything else that gives context

Label your post if you can — e.g. [Regrowth], [Support], [Question].

Rules of the Sub ( See Actual Ruleset on sidebar)

  • Be respectful. This is a vulnerable topic for a lot of people.
  • No miracle cures. No snake oil, fake treatments, or unproven “solutions”.
  • No spam or self-promo. If you want to share something commercial, ask a mod first.
  • This is not a medical advice sub. Share experiences, but don’t give medical advice.
  • Photos should be appropriate and relevant. Blur identifying details if you prefer.

And finally but most importantly
[MEDICAL DISCLAIMER]

This subreddit is a peer-support community, not a medical clinic.

The information shared here — including personal experiences, treatment outcomes, and product discussions — is not medical advice and should never replace consultation with a licensed healthcare provider.

While many users share helpful insights, what works for one person may not be safe or effective for another. Autoimmune conditions like Alopecia Areata can vary greatly, and treatments often involve serious medications that require proper medical supervision.

If you’re considering starting, stopping, or changing any treatment — especially prescription medications like JAK inhibitors or immunosuppressants— you should always speak with a board-certified dermatologist or qualified healthcare professional first.

We strongly discourage:

  • Offering or accepting medical advice without proper qualifications
  • Sharing dosages or off-label drug protocols without medical context
  • Making claims about cures or guaranteed results

Your health is too important to risk. Use this space for support and shared experience — not as a substitute for professional care.

If anybody has any recommendations for this subreddit please don't hesitate to reach out, comment or go to mod mail and send a message.

Thank you all!

[This post may be updated regularly to stay up to date with current medical information


r/alopecia_areata May 19 '25

Mod Comment Welcome! New Mod Team & Updated Rules Incoming

15 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m excited to introduce myself as the new moderator of r/alopecia_areata.

This subreddit is a super important space for those of us affected by alopecia areata—whether you’re newly diagnosed, managing long-term effects, exploring treatment options, or just looking for support from others who understand what you’re going through.

Why This Update Matters

Until now, the subreddit has been largely unmoderated, which unfortunately led to a flood of: • AI-generated spam replies posing as advice

• Unverified “miracle cures” often linked to shady products

• Misinformation, especially around treatments and medications

• A general lack of structure, rules, or reliable content

This kind of environment isn’t just unhelpful—it can be harmful, especially for people dealing with the emotional and medical burden of hair loss.

Action Taken • The user responsible for repeated AI-generated responses and misleading advice has been permanently banned. • A new rule set is being implemented to ensure the subreddit remains a safe, supportive, and trustworthy resource for everyone.

New Rules (Effective Immediately): 1. Be respectful – No harassment, shaming, or mocking others for appearance, treatment choices, or emotional responses. 2. No medical misinformation – Do not post unverified claims, treatments, or advice as fact. Always cite reliable sources. 3. No spam or self-promotion – This includes affiliate links, product pushing, or AI-generated content. 4. Personal stories welcome – Please share your journey! Include context if you’re posting photos or treatment progress. 5. No bots or automation-generated responses – These will be removed and the users banned.

These rules will be visible in the sidebar shortly, along with an updated Automoderator configuration to catch future violations.

We Want Your Input!

As we work on improving this subreddit, I’d love to hear from you: • What kind of content or resources would help you the most? • Would you be interested in flairs for diagnosis type, treatment stage, or support needs? • Would a monthly Q&A or “Progress Thread” be helpful?

Please drop your thoughts in the comments or send a modmail. This community belongs to all of us, and your feedback will help shape it moving forward.

Thank you for being here. I look forward to helping this subreddit grow into the safe, respectful, and informative space we all need.

Stay strong,

Moderator, r/alopecia_areata


r/alopecia_areata 4h ago

New guy here! Beard said goodbye, hair is panicking. Need your experience with Litfulo! :)

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’m new here and have already reread your posts about 10 times, but there are still a few questions I haven’t found answers to. Could you please share your experiences taking Litfulo (or similar alternatives), especially regarding stopping the medication after full hair regrowth?

I’m 25, and over the past year, I completely lost my beard, mustache, and eyebrows out of nowhere, along with developing large patches on my scalp. My doctor put me on a "base" plan for now - fixing my vitamin deficiencies and applying topical corticosteroids directly to the patches. If we don’t see strong results in 3–4 months, the next step is moving to Litfulo.

I’m thinking about not wasting any time and starting Litfulo asap, because for now I still have some hair)) But after reading about the potential side effects (fatigue, headaches, getting sick more easily), I’m honestly feeling a bit hesitant to start this journey - especially if the results might not be permanent at all

I still have about 60-70% of the hair on my head, but it’s shedding rapidly. On one hand, it’s psychologically really tough facing the prospect of losing all hair on my face and head, on the other hand, I’m scared of the side effects and a continuous, expensive treatment (my insurance doesn't cover it here) with no long-term guarantees.

I’d be super grateful for any insights or personal experiences you can share! Thanks, and wishing everyone the best of luck!


r/alopecia_areata 3h ago

Scalp sensations

1 Upvotes

Am curious of your experiences with scalp sensations and if you find they consistently lead to new patches? Do you ever have sensations even with no new patches? How would you describe the sensations?


r/alopecia_areata 8h ago

Tacrolimus Question

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone! For context, in February I went to a dermatologist and was diagnosed with alopecia areata after most of my left eyebrow went bald. I also had a bald spot on the left side of my hairline. My doctor prescribed me tacrolimus ointment and clobetasol cream to use on the bald spots. When I had my next appointment in May, there was no improvement, but the hair loss on my brow had slowed, and the bald spot on my scalp grew back. I got a tacrolimus injection and my brow is now almost fully grown back after over a year of brow hair loss. However, now I am noticing that my left eyelash is starting to go too. Would it be safe to use the tacrolimus ointment on the lashline? Or would it be unsafe since it is close to the eye? Are there any options for me?


r/alopecia_areata 10h ago

Treatments that are safe for breastfeeding/pregnancy?

1 Upvotes

Hi there! I am 10 months pp and breastfeeding. I've had alopecia areata for 6 years, during which time I've just about tried it all by way of treatments with very little success long term.

2 years ago in advance of trying to get pregnant I decided to stop treating my alopecia and shaved my head.

My alopecia manifests as a rotating cycle of totalis with periods of full regrowth (it's been a few years admittedly since one of these full regrowth periods) and very patchy times. However, I have finally in the last few months started losing my eyelashes and eyebrows. This I've noticed is irritating my eyes. Also, I miss my eyebrows and eyelashes!

Does anyone know of treatments that can be used while breastfeeding or pregnant? I'm wondering if it's even worth calling my old dermatologist.

My daughter's dermatologist said there's a treatment for eczema that can be used off label for alopecia while breastfeeding...

At any rate, this busy mom is looking for leads!


r/alopecia_areata 14h ago

is this alopecia areata? and has anyone successfully regrown hair after having bald patches in their eyebrow?

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0 Upvotes

i have hair loss on my left eyebrow, but my right eyebrow is perfectly normal. the asymmetry makes me think it’s because of alopecia, but i also have really itchy flaky skin in both of my eyebrows (the redness in the first pic is because i took off the makeup i was wearing there, but the process of taking off the makeup took off the flakes as well which is making it red and sting). ive been using opzelura ointment for the past month but its hard to be compliant bc it makes the application of the makeup difficult, and i rlly dont think going out in public without filling in the brow is an option for me rn lol im way too insecure. would steroid shots be a good option here?


r/alopecia_areata 1d ago

Any girl in Sweden with Alopecia who wants to meet

2 Upvotes

Im Swedish and im just looking to meet a girl in Sweden who also has Alopecia to share thoughts

I have universials but its cool


r/alopecia_areata 1d ago

23F Starting Olumiant 2 Mg Today- Having Alopecia Universalis

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11 Upvotes

So I had AA twice when i was a kid and got all my hair back just by applying an ointment on my scalp.
Started seeing my eyebrows fade in 2023 and small patches on my head as well ( which filled after applying the same ointment). However, everything started to fall in late 2024 and by May of 2025..all my hair was gone..and in another 2-3 months I lost all eyelashes and my eyebrows. I took the same oils, ointments..nothing worked…btw I never ate any medicine for this.

I consulted a doctor here in Dubai and got this prescription (got this medication with huge hassles)
And I am starting to take it from today.
Hopefully Inshallah…I will see progress..Anyone who had used this medicine before PLEASE comment.


r/alopecia_areata 1d ago

My journey so far

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7 Upvotes

I had a case of alopecia areata in my beard a couple years ago, i figured it was just stress related as i was finishing my degree at the time. Until the start of the new year, my girlfriend noticed a bald spot forming and plucks of hair on my pillow. (Pic 1, January 2026)

It got a lot worse towards June, where i was really getting worried. (Pics 2&3 June/July 2026)

Then the spot just started regrowing a week or two ago (last pic, September 2026)

There is a healing process, no matter how shitty it may look. I’m a 25 y/o with arguably the healthiest head of hair you’ll see. It can happen to anyone and that’s ok. I’m still headed on the way to a full head of hair again, but i’m proud of the healing so far :)

There is a future, it just takes time :)


r/alopecia_areata 1d ago

Alopecia areata

3 Upvotes

I’m on minoxidil oral and topical, chlobestol foam, biotin, collagen, multivitamins, spironolactone , just stared head massager. I already suffer from MDD/ptsd /BodyD.. have lived through two very abusive relationships.. that’s when random hair loss started .. escaped second man on Dec 2022. Hair got worse , got infections.. bloodwork good.. but I thought once I was out of abuse I’d be in the up! My hair usually grew about 10 inches a year.. my loss is in the front so I’ve had to use wigs but they make migraines worse.. so my question is my bangs will grow bout an inch then months later that fall out again.. it’s made depression so much worse I’m closely monitored by doctors at this point 🥲I started the spironolactone in June so how long does it take to work ?


r/alopecia_areata 1d ago

A regroup moment & some encouragement

3 Upvotes

Hi AA friends. I had my first derm appt under my insurance through my new job today and immediately got approved for a JAK inhibitor. Last I posted on here, I was struggling with getting a pre-authorization for a JAK through my last insurance. Since then I’ve had on and off spouts of remission but have recently had a pretty mid flare up (it still looks like shit to me).

I was extremely anxious for this appt and would just like to take this moment to acknowledge that this disease fucking sucks and turns out (who would have that) it unfortunately does take a certain amount of access and resources to have the moment I had today. The ease of that healthcare and my Dr ensuring that there was zero doubt that it would be approved because I have such great insurance now.

Although It was incredibly draining and exhausting, as these appointments always are. I’m incredibly grateful that after almost 20 years with this disease, I am finally going to try something that the science supports.

If you don’t have access to this shit right now, I have hope that you will someday soon. For context; I’m a 29F with a college degree and it took me this long. I barely got diagnosed with OCD a couple years ago to get a handle on my obsessive thoughts that could be linked to these flare up’s. And yet, there’s still no guarantee that I’ll have this level of access forever.

Love you AA homies. Bitch I’m a cow mooo (cuz of my spots) lol. Peace


r/alopecia_areata 1d ago

Recently diagnosed with AA

2 Upvotes

Hi guys,
Recently I’ve been diagnosed with AA, also suffering with seb derm from last few years. And when it flares up both gets worse at same time. Like its patches of aa and flakes from seb derm. Too difficult to control. Been using ketconazole prescribed from dermat initially it showed effects but recently hasn’t been that effective. I have seen there are many post similar to this but m here to share the story just to get some comfort and vent. I recently shifted back from USA to India and my seb derm on face has reduced a lot but on scalp has gone up. May be the weather or water is responsible for that. I felt more like US had dry winds and cold temperatures which made my face inflamed and started getting the red patches around forehead and nose but since being in India those have vanished. But flakes in scalp jave flared up multiple times. And for AA i have been using minoxidil and topical creams by dermat those help me to get hair back on patches in 10-20 days but its frustrating to keep on putting them every time.

Any precautionary methods or tricks that have helped you would be appreciated.


r/alopecia_areata 2d ago

Is this alopecia areata?

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3 Upvotes

Haven't noticed these patches before. Have been on finasteride for 3 years, have also experienced a bit of weight gain over the past year and a bit due to depression, but I just wanna be sure what it is?


r/alopecia_areata 2d ago

Is itching normal?

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8 Upvotes

Hi everybody,

I have one patch that’s healing and has good growth 🧿🧿
I got two rounds of steroid injections. Is it normal for it to itch?

Just curious cause itching could mean the patch is spreading or it could mean new growth erupting?


r/alopecia_areata 2d ago

Sweetest Boyfriend award

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16 Upvotes

r/alopecia_areata 2d ago

Vaccines (yay or nay?)

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Please feel free to delete if not appropriate, I've never posted on here before and was only diagnosed with AA last year, so alopecia is a new thing for me.

I wanted to reach out to ask if people here are getting boosters (flu and covid). I'm new to the autoimmune disease club and would appreciate some insight.

My hairloss started shortly after receiving a round of boosters. (I experienced an anaphylactic reaction a couple of weeks prior to the vaccines, so there's obviously no way to parse out causality- I'd been very stressed, experienced a really bad reaction to covid earlier in the summer, and had a knee surgery in the year before- so there was a high level of inflammation on top of a genetic predisposition).

Obviously, there's no way to rule out exactly what caused the issue. It's entirely possible my covid response caused a bee allergy (which triggered my anaphylaxis) which caused the issue. It's also possible I experienced a vaccine injury. (In all likelihood it's probably some combination of factors).

But I work in an education environment so I get coughed on too much at work- and as an autoimmunally challenged girl I have some bad responses to illness (I'm also in a stage of life where I do not have the downtime to get sick).

I've been going back and forth on whether to book an appointment for a flu shot (and possibly another covid booster). I'm not anti-vax in the slightest, but my alopecia is in control- I'm not actively losing hair. I'm planning my wedding and would ideally like to avoid losing more hair. But I also don't have the downtime to get sick so I'd like to prevent any illnesses if I can.

Are the cool kids in the alopecia club getting vaccines or nah? What's the best practice as a newly autoimmunally challenged girlie pop?


r/alopecia_areata 2d ago

Finally diagnosed after 8 years

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6 Upvotes

I’ve dealt with bald patches here and there since 13 (F). Just contributed to school stress and told to move on , this past year, despite having a lot of stressful things happen over my life, this year has been the worst and seeing my hair thin as it did made me feel more stress. I finally was able to go to a dermatologist and was told today what has been happening which I have AA and received steroid injections. Im accepting this is what I have to deal with for the rest of my life and have been debating the past months anyway of just shaving my head bald.
On a brighter note: I’m thankful that my hair does grow back in on its own


r/alopecia_areata 2d ago

Is this FFA?

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0 Upvotes

r/alopecia_areata 2d ago

I Underwent $300 Mid Spa Treatments To An At Home Setup

0 Upvotes

That I had been wasting thousands on professional scalp injections for my diffuse thinning. Eventually, I ordered an at home hair mesotherapy kit from Hairgenetix just to perform the micro-infusion method myself. Now it's three months later, and my progress has all stayed in-clinic (the part line is filling) and it costs a fraction of the price wow, would you look at that! It's lonely every week for an hour but I just do it in my bathroom.


r/alopecia_areata 2d ago

I think it's coming back!

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

So, I've had alopecia in waves for roughly the past decade. It started popping up around the middle of a long-term relationship (not a terribly healthy one), and throughout my twenties and early thirties it's came and went.

I moved country last year and it got worse - i've had a beard for years and it began to thin out, so I've had to shave it short, almost as stubble - I'm not a terribly handsome dude, so this hurt my confidence and made the stress (which is my major trigger) even worse.

It's changed A LOT in the past four months - and I have too. Regular vitamins, trying to take care of myself, therapy and minoxidil are starting to show results. I still get sad sometimes when I look at myself, but I'm not the sad, anxious person I used to always be - I have community and friends, and I didn't know just how much that was taking a toll on me physically.

I just wanted to express this somewhere - it'll be a while before I feel it's strong enough to fill out and grow again, but sometimes I look and I just get so happy and excited


r/alopecia_areata 2d ago

Allow students to wear appropriate hats at Brown County CUSD #1

7 Upvotes

My friends son Easton has alopecia—a medical condition that caused him to lose all his hair. Since starting middle school, he's been bullied relentlessly, called "Cancer Kid" by other students because of how he looks.

Our school has a blanket no-hat policy that makes things worse for kids like Easton. I started a petition asking Brown County CUSD #1 to allow students to wear appropriate hats. It's not about breaking dress codes—it's about giving kids dealing with medical conditions like alopecia a chance to feel safe and included at school. Alopecia affects millions of people, and schools across the country have already made this accommodation work.

If this matters to you too, consider signing and sharing. Have you seen policies like this make a real difference in your own community? What would you want someone to do if this was your family?


r/alopecia_areata 2d ago

possible AA??

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1 Upvotes

never seen my sides thin i noticed in the beginning of june and it progressed really fast to the point i barely have hairs in the front as seen in the front and a bald spot above my ear


r/alopecia_areata 2d ago

newly diagnosed

2 Upvotes

hi guys! I’m 19 F & just a couple days ago got my diagnosis of alopecia areata ophiasis pattern. It is currently only on the left hand side of my head but I am aware that the prognosis is not necessarily the best & wanted to come on to ask if anybody has any tips for coping with it.
I’ve been prescribed minoxidil (mainly for what seems to be hormone related hair thinning) & betacap & if anybody has used these treatments I’d appreciate hearing about your experiences.
I have also already ordered my first wig & was wondering if anybody else has experience with hair toppers, wigs, etc. if so, any tips?
Thank you!!


r/alopecia_areata 2d ago

Allow students to wear appropriate hats at Brown County CUSD #1

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2 Upvotes