UV-Trichoscopic Red Fluorescence in Alopecia Areata

NCT07803874 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IstanbulTRH-DERM-AAUV-2026
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Alopecia Areata

Keywords

UV Trichoscopy; Red Fluorescence; Trichoscopy; Intralesional Corticosteroid; Hair Regrowth

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

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

  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.

  Baseline through week 12

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

  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.

  Weeks 4, 8, and 12

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in UV-Trichoscopic Red Fluorescence Intensity During Follow-up

  Baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12

• Change in Area-Normalized Counts of Selected Trichoscopic Findings During Follow-up

  Baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12

• Association Between Baseline UV-Trichoscopic Red Fluorescence Intensity and Trichoscopic Findings

  Baseline

Study Arms (1)

Limited Plaque-Type Alopecia Areata

Adults with limited plaque-type alopecia areata who are receiving intralesional corticosteroid treatment as part of routine clinical care. Participants will undergo conventional trichoscopic and UV-trichoscopic assessments at baseline and during follow-up at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Hair regrowth, trichoscopic findings, and UV-trichoscopic red fluorescence intensity will be evaluated over time.

Drug: Triamcinolone Acetonide

Interventions

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.

Limited Plaque-Type Alopecia Areata

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults with limited plaque-type alopecia areata of the scalp who are receiving intralesional corticosteroid treatment as part of routine clinical care at the dermatology outpatient clinic will be prospectively enrolled. Participants will undergo standardized conventional trichoscopic and UV-trichoscopic assessments and will be followed for 12 weeks to evaluate red fluorescence intensity, trichoscopic findings, and hair regrowth.

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Training and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alopecia Areata

Interventions

Triamcinolone Acetonide

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Triamcinolone; Pregnadienes; Pregnanes; Steroids; Fused-Ring Compounds; Polycyclic Compounds; Steroids, Fluorinated

Study Officials

• Vildan Manav

  Istanbul Training and Research Hospital

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Sevgi Nazli Apucu, Dermatology Resident Physician

CONTACT

+905374048180; snapucu@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dermatology Resident Physician

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 31, 2026
• First Posted: September 4, 2026
• Study Start: July 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: September 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)