Case Report: Repigmentation and complete hair regrowth in an 11-year-old preadolescent with alopecia totalis treated with a JAK inhibitor - Report - MDSpire

Case Report: Repigmentation and complete hair regrowth in an 11-year-old preadolescent with alopecia totalis treated with a JAK inhibitor

  • By

  • Yanhong Jia

  • Xue Wang

  • Yuanxiang Liu

  • Zigang Xu

  • Bin Zhang

  • July 16, 2026

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Clinical Report: Complete Hair Regrowth and Repigmentation in Alopecia Totalis

Overview

This case study details the complete hair regrowth and repigmentation in an 11-year-old girl with alopecia totalis following treatment with JAK inhibitors. The patient achieved hair pigmentation restoration after switching from baricitinib to ritlecitinib.

Background

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder leading to non-scarring hair loss, which poses significant treatment challenges, especially in pediatric patients. JAK inhibitors have shown promise in treating severe cases of alopecia areata, but reports of hair repigmentation during treatment are limited.

Data Highlights

ParameterValue
SALT Score Before Treatment65%
SALT Score After 6 Months0%
FDLQI Before Treatment18
FDLQI After Treatment4

Key Findings

  • Complete hair regrowth and repigmentation observed after 6 months of ritlecitinib treatment.
  • Initial treatment with baricitinib resulted in a SALT score of 65% with predominantly white and gray hair regrowth.
  • Ritlecitinib was administered at a dose of 50 mg/day after switching from baricitinib.
  • Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) improved from 18 to 4.
  • No significant adverse effects were reported during the treatment period.

Clinical Implications

This case highlights the use of JAK inhibitors in achieving hair regrowth and repigmentation in pediatric patients with severe alopecia areata.

Conclusion

This case study illustrates the effectiveness of JAK inhibitors in treating alopecia totalis, focusing on the observed outcomes of hair regrowth and pigmentation restoration.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers in Immunology, 2026 -- Upadacitinib in the treatment of a patient with the triad of atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata: a case report and literature review
  2. conexiant -- Hair Repigmentation Reported With Baricitinib in Canities Subita
  3. The ASCO Post -- Efficacy of a JAK2/mTOR Inhibitor Combination in Controlling Acute Graft-vs-Host Disease
  4. Dermatology and Therapy -- Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Baricitinib and Ritlecitinib in Severe Alopecia Areata: A Real-World Monocentric Retrospective Study
  5. S3 guideline diagnostics and therapy in alopecia areata – Part 2: Therapy, psychosocial and cosmetic support - Blume‐Peytavi - JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft
  6. Efficacy and safety of ritlecitinib in adults and adolescents with alopecia areata: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, phase 2b–3 trial
  7. S3 guideline diagnostics and therapy in alopecia areata – Part 2: Therapy, psychosocial and cosmetic support - Blume‐Peytavi - JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft - Wiley Online Library

Original Source(s)

Case Report: Repigmentation and complete hair regrowth in an 11-year-old preadolescent with alopecia totalis treated with a JAK inhibitor

  • by Yanhong Jia, Xue Wang, Yuanxiang Liu, Zigang Xu, Bin Zhang

  • July 16, 2026

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