Effects of psoralen-UV-A-Turban in alopecia areata.
BACKGROUND
Psoralen-UV-A (PUVA)-turban is a modification of PUVA-bath therapy used in alopecia areata.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of PUVA-turban in different forms of alopecia areata. Twenty patients completed the study: nine with alopecia areata vulgaris and 11 with alopecia areata totalis or universalis.


METHODS
8-methoxypsoralen in a dilution of 0.0001% (1 mg/L) was administered to the scalp for 20 minutes using a cotton towel as a turban. The application was followed by UV-A radiation. Treatments were performed two or three times weekly. The cumulative doses ranged from 48.2-253.4 J/cm2, and single fractions ranged from 0.3-6.5 J/cm2.


RESULTS
Hair regrowth was observed in 15 patients (total regrowth in six patients and partial regrowth in nine patients). Five patients did not respond to the therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
PUVA-turban was significantly more effective in alopecia areata vulgaris than in alopecia areata totalis or universalis and proved to be a safe, well tolerated method without the systemic side effects of PUVA.
Broniarczyk-Dyla
Grazyna
G
Department of General, Esthetic Dermatology and Dermatosurgery, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. dylagrazyna@wp.pl
Wawrzycka-Kaflik
Anna
A
Dubla-Berner
Malgorzata
M
Prusinska-Bratos
Magdalena
M
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012535:Scalp
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D008730:Methoxsalen