Will it ever grow back? The psychosocial impacts of alopecia

Abstract

Alopecia is a common clinical complaint in the offices of family physicians and dermatologists. Here, we discuss common subtypes of alopecia, including androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. Unfortunately, few resources have been invested in researching the effectiveness of psychological treatment for alopecia Pharmacological treatments alone are not enough. Medications can be a frustrating experience for both patients and their physicians due to their limited effectiveness. A case is made for health professionals taking an all-encompassing approach with patients is critical for skin conditions including alopecia.