**Author details**

Zekayi Kutlubay\* and Server Serdaroglu

\*Address all correspondence to: zekayikutlubay@hotmail.com

Department of Dermatology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

### **References**


[8] Smith JR, Akin RS, Wells MJ. Alopecia areata treated with efalizumab: a case with sig‐ nificant hair re‐growth after long‐term therapy. J Drugs Dermatol 2009;8:758–760.

phobia, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Psychological/psychiatric disorders have

Mental disorders are observed to be a higher risk among women with scarring alopecia. Hair loss can be an important reason for psychological/psychiatric problems such as embarrass‐ ment, depression, anxiety about their appearance, low self‐esteem, anger, less social and sexual activity and even suicidal thoughts. Because of the connection between alopecia and mental disorders, dermatologists and psychologists/psychiatrists have to find the main rea‐

The aim of this chapter is to review the latest developments in the understanding of hair loss and its treatment. The contents cover the molecular and cell biological aspects of hair follicles through to the pathogenesis of alopecia, its treatment with topical and systemic agents, and new treatment options such as hair transplantation, mesotherapy and platelet‐rich plasmas (PRPs).

Department of Dermatology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

[1] Buffoli B, Rinaldi F, Labanca M et al. The human hair: from anatomy to physiology. Int

[2] Krause K, Foitzik K. Biology of hair follicle: the basics. Semin Cutan Med Surg

[3] Wolfram LJ. Human hair: A unique physicochemical composite. J Am Acad Dermatol

[5] Ito T, Aoshima M, Ito N, Uchiyama I, Sakamoto K, Kawamura T et al. Combination ther‐ apy with oral PUVA and corticosteroid for recalcitrant alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol

[6] Mirzoyev SA, Schrum AG, Davis MD, Torgerson RR. Lifetime incidence risk of alo‐ pecia areata estimated at 2.1% by Rochester Epidemiology Project, 1990–2009. J Invest

[7] Rallis E, Nasiopoulou A, Kouskoukis C, Roussaki‐Schulze A, Koumantaki E, Karpouzis A et al. Oral administration of cyclosporin A in patients with severe alopecia areata. Int

[4] Stenn KS, Paus R. Controls of hair follicle cycling. Physiol Rev 2001;81:449–494.

Dermatol 2014;134:1141–1142. DOI: 10.1038/jid.2013.464.

been detected at rates up to 60% in dermatology patients treated as inpatients [26].

sons for the hair loss together [27, 28].

Zekayi Kutlubay\* and Server Serdaroglu

J Dermatol 2014;53:331–341.

\*Address all correspondence to: zekayikutlubay@hotmail.com

**Author details**

8 Hair and Scalp Disorders

**References**

2006;25:2–10.

2003;48:S106–114.

Res 2009;301:373–380.

J Tissue React 2005;27:107–110.


**Section 2**
