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NCT Number: NCT07803874

UV-Trichoscopic Red Fluorescence in Alopecia Areata

The goal of this observational study is to learn whether red fluorescence seen with ultraviolet (UV) trichoscopy is related to disease findings and treatment response in adults with limited plaque-type alopecia areata. Trichoscopy is a close-up imaging method used to examine the hair and scalp. The study will investigate whether the amount of red fluorescence at the beginning of the study is related to how soon hair starts to grow back, how much hair regrows, and how trichoscopic findings change during follow-up. Participants for whom intralesional corticosteroid treatment has been planned as part of their regular medical care will have standard trichoscopic and UV-trichoscopic images taken of the affected scalp area. They will be followed at weeks 4, 8, and 12, when hair regrowth and changes in scalp and hair findings will be evaluated. Researchers will measure red fluorescence in the images and examine whether it is related to treatment response over time.

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Key information

Conditions

Alopecia Areata Alopecia Hair Diseases Hypotrichosis Skin Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Istanbul Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Sevgi Nazli Apucu, Dermatology Resident Physician

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905374048180

About this study

This is a prospective observational cohort study involving adults with limited plaque-type alopecia areata who are receiving intralesional corticosteroid treatment as part of routine clinical care. Participation in the study does not determine whether a patient receives intralesional corticosteroid treatment.

At baseline, the affected scalp area will be evaluated using conventional polarized trichoscopy and UV-trichoscopy. Follow-up assessments will be performed at weeks 4, 8, and 12 using the same imaging approach. Trichoscopic findings of interest will include yellow dots, black dots, exclamation mark hairs, and broken hairs.

UV-trichoscopic red fluorescence will be assessed quantitatively by measuring red-channel intensity on standardized digital images. Imaging and image analysis procedures will be performed using a standardized acquisition protocol to improve comparability between visits.

Treatment response will be evaluated according to the appearance and extent of visible hair regrowth and the change in trichoscopic activity findings during follow-up. The main analysis will examine whether baseline red fluorescence intensity is associated with the timing and magnitude of response to intralesional corticosteroid treatment. Associations between red fluorescence intensity and baseline trichoscopic findings, as well as changes in fluorescence intensity and trichoscopic findings over time, will also be evaluated.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 years or older
  • Limited plaque-type alopecia areata of the scalp
  • Active hair loss
  • Symptom onset within the previous 6 months
  • No topical, intramuscular, or oral treatment for alopecia areata within the previous 1 month
  • No intralesional corticosteroid treatment within the previous 6 weeks
  • Provision of informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Beard alopecia areata
  • Very extensive alopecia areata or multiple large plaques
  • Tinea capitis or active infection
  • Current phototherapy
  • Systemic immunosuppressive treatment within the washout period specified in the study protocol
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Contraindication to UV imaging

Treatment and study plan

Triamcinolone Acetonide

Drug

Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is administered for limited plaque-type alopecia areata as part of routine clinical care. The decision to administer treatment is made independently of participation in this observational study. The study prospectively evaluates trichoscopic and UV-trichoscopic findings and hair regrowth during routine treatment follow-up.

Primary outcomes

  1. Association Between Baseline UV-Trichoscopic Red Fluorescence Intensity and Timing of First Visible Hair Regrowth

    Time frame: Baseline through week 12

    Baseline UV-trichoscopic red fluorescence intensity will be quantified from standardized digital images using red-channel intensity measurements. Participants will be evaluated for the first appearance of visible hair regrowth at follow-up visits at weeks 4, 8, and 12. The association between baseline red fluorescence intensity and the timing of first visible hair regrowth will be assessed.

  2. Association Between Baseline UV-Trichoscopic Red Fluorescence Intensity and Degree of Hair Regrowth

    Time frame: Weeks 4, 8, and 12

    The degree of hair regrowth will be assessed at follow-up visits using standardized clinical photographs and trichoscopic images of the alopecic plaque. Hair regrowth will be evaluated according to the proportion of the baseline alopecic area showing visible regrowth, with trichoscopic examination used to identify early or fine regrowing hairs that may not be clearly visible in clinical photographs. The association between baseline UV-trichoscopic red fluorescence intensity and the degree of hair regrowth will be evaluated.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in UV-Trichoscopic Red Fluorescence Intensity During Follow-up

    Time frame: Baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12

    UV-trichoscopic red fluorescence intensity will be quantified from standardized digital images using red-channel intensity measurements. Changes in red fluorescence intensity from baseline through follow-up visits will be evaluated

  2. Change in Trichoscopic Activity Findings During Follow-up

    Time frame: Baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12

    Trichoscopic activity findings, including yellow dots, black dots, exclamation mark hairs, and broken hairs, will be recorded using standardized trichoscopic images. Changes in these findings during follow-up will be evaluated.

  3. Association Between Baseline UV-Trichoscopic Red Fluorescence Intensity and Trichoscopic Findings

    Time frame: Baseline

    The association between baseline UV-trichoscopic red fluorescence intensity and baseline trichoscopic findings, including yellow dots, black dots, exclamation mark hairs, and broken hairs, will be evaluated.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Sevgi Nazli Apucu, Dermatology Resident Physician

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905374048180

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istanbul Training and Research Hospital

Other Gov

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of UV-Trichoscopic Red Fluorescence Intensity in Relation to Trichoscopic Findings and Response to Intralesional Corticosteroid Treatment in Limited Plaque-Type Alopecia Areata

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 4, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 4, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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