You may be wondering, “what are the best treatments for alopecia areata? Can hair grow back after alopecia areata? Are JAK inhibitors safe?” In this episode of the Skincredible Podcast, Dr. Lisa Swanson takes a comprehensive look at the latest alopecia areata treatments, from traditional therapies to cutting-edge medications that are truly changing lives in a world where treatments used to be very limited.

This episode will help you stay up-to-date on treatments available as of May of 2026 for Alopecia Areata and it will also help you discover why early intervention has shown to lead to better results. Dr. Swanson reviews the most effective treatment options for both children and adults, including observation, topical therapies like Minoxidil and Clobetasol, intralesional steroids, vitamin D, Allegra, Dupixent, pulse Prednisone, low dose oral Minoxidil, contact sensitizers such as Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), Squaric Acid, Diphencyprone (DPCP), and JAK inhibitors.

The episode also explores in detail the exciting new era of JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata, including Olumiant (baricitinib), Litfulo (ritlecitinib), Leqselvi (deuruxolitinib), and the upcoming approval of Rinvoq (upadacitinib). Dr. Swanson explains how these medications work, who may be a candidate, who may not be, required blood work and monitoring, common side effects, safety considerations, insurance challenges, and what patients can realistically expect when it comes to hair regrowth in general.

You'll also hear Dr. Swanson’s valuable insights on popular hair loss remedies frequently discussed online, including rosemary oil, garlic, essential oils, capsaicin, PRP (platelet-rich plasma), red light therapy, laser therapy, cryotherapy, and PUVA treatment.

Whether you're living with alopecia areata, caring for a child with hair loss, or a healthcare professional looking to stay current on the latest advances, this episode provides practical guidance, expert insights, and hope for patients navigating autoimmune hair loss.

Keywords

Dermatology, Hair Loss, Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis, Alopecia Universalis, Diffuse Alopecia, Loose Anagen Alopecia, Traction Alopecia, Hair, Skin, Skin Expert, Dermatologist, JAK Inhibitors, Olumiant, Litfulo, Leqselvi, Rinvoq, Minoxidil, Hair Regrowth, Autoimmune Disease, Alopecia Totalis, Alopecia Universalis, Dupixent, Vitamin D, Allegra, Contact Sensitizers, Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), Squaric Acid, Diphencyprone (DPCP),

Links, Attachments

NAAF: https://www.naaf.org

Find a Pediatric Dermatologist near you: https://pedsderm.net/for-patients-families/find-a-pediatric-dermatologist/

Find an Adult Dermatologist near you: https://find-a-derm.aad.org/

Chapters

00:00 Welcome, A Side Note About Breast MRIs

04:25 Alopecia Areata Treatments

04:52 Observation, Especially in Pediatric Patients

05:39 Topical Steroids at Bedtime and Topical Minoxidil in Morning

09:00 Kids Do Better On Treatments

10:07 Follow Up and Expectations From Treatment

11:30 Intralesional Steroids

13:40 AAD or Society for Pediatric Dermatology Lookup

14:50 Vitamin D and Allegra Over The Counter

17:00 Dupixent

20:00 Pulse Prednisone

21:05 Oral Minoxidil

23:15 Safety Label on Minoxidil

24:30 Contact Sensitizers

27:00 JAK Inhibitors & Alopecia Discovery

30:00 Quality of Life Improvement with Treatment

31:20 Olumiant

33:05 Litfulo

36:15 Leqselvi

37:00 Labs Checked With JAK Inhibitors

39:00 Safety Warnings

40:40 The 4 Cs

44:00 Coming Soon: Rinvoq

46:50 The Importance of JAK Inhibitors & Early Intervention

51:30 Natural Remidies and Social Media Trends

53:30 Excimer Laser & PUVA

55:00 Red Light

56:00 Conclusion

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The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your physician regarding your health.