The 14th World Congress for Hair Research took place in Seoul, Korea, from May 28 to May 31, 2026, at the impressive COEX Convention Center.
Dr. Karalexis attended the 14th World Congress for Hair Research and followed its scientific sessions. A large number of dermatologists from all over the world participated in the World Congress for Hair Research, which proved to be a truly interesting event, presenting new data on hair loss, alopecia, and hair transplantation.
Among the most interesting points in the 14th World Congress for Hair Research worth mentioning are the following:
- Hair loss after chemotherapy and psychological impact
Psychological disturbances that may occur after hair loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment represent an important issue. Dermatologists often face a dilemma regarding the best way to manage this condition and, in collaboration with the oncologist, try to support the patient in order to achieve the best possible outcome after hair loss. The most effective approach appears to be the administration of minoxidil, either topically or orally, as well as the topical use of prostaglandins, mainly latanoprost. - Trichoscopy and diagnosis of hair disorders
Trichoscopy can help in the diagnosis of hair disorders and subsequently facilitate the appropriate management of the condition. Yellow or red dots may help diagnose lichen planopilaris and differentiate it from discoid lupus erythematosus of the scalp (DLE). Black dots observed during trichoscopy may indicate androgenetic alopecia or alopecia areata, while broken hairs can help in the diagnosis of trichotillomania or early-stage alopecia areata. Pseudopelade of Brocq does not have a characteristic histopathological appearance, and no specific findings are observed during trichoscopy, as clinically it presents with scarring plaques on the scalp. - JAK inhibitors and alopecia areata
JAK1, JAK2, and JAK3 inhibitors, specifically Litfulo (ritlecitinib) and Olumiant (baricitinib), appear to be safe and well tolerated by patients with alopecia areata. The data presented at the 14th World Congress for Hair Research point to their high safety and efficacy. It was also reported that the effectiveness of the medication may be better when administered in the evening. - Dutasteride and androgenetic alopecia
Dutasteride is a medication used for androgenetic alopecia. Compared with finasteride, dutasteride inhibits type I 5α-reductase 100 times more and type II 5α-reductase 3 times more. Therefore, it has a stronger effect in the treatment of hair loss and alopecia.
This year, dutasteride received approval from the Korean drug authority for the treatment of hair loss and alopecia at a low dose of 0.2 mg daily, under the brand name Movana. All data indicate a very good safety and efficacy profile at this low dose of 0.2 mg with daily use, whereas until now it had been administered at a dose of 0.5 mg, 3-5 times per week.
The conclusion of a study involving 100 patients, after five years of treatment, was that the rate of side effects was below 7%, and the adverse effects were very mild. A decrease in libido among these patients was also below 7%. In addition, the study showed that dutasteride is more effective compared with finasteride, while its results remained stable in all patients over the five-year period.
- Frontal fibrosing alopecia and metformin
Frontal fibrosing alopecia has an autoimmune basis, as cells in the bulge area of the hair follicle are gradually destroyed, leading to fibrosis and scarring. Metformin activates AMP-activated protein kinase and has demonstrated antifibrotic activity in various pathological conditions, including pulmonary fibrosis. Its exact mechanism of action in frontal fibrosing alopecia remains unknown; however, in various experimental models, preservation of hair follicle stem cells has been observed. - Long hair FUE and hair transplantation
Long hair FUE in hair transplant has been gaining increasing ground in recent years. Essentially, it is a technique in which hair follicles are extracted from the donor area without shaving, allowing the patient to continue daily activities without interruption.
During graft placement in the recipient area, special care is required over the following 10 days until complete healing occurs, because there is a risk that the newly implanted long hairs may become detached from their placement sites. For this reason, this method is applied to relatively small areas of thinning, such as the temples and the hairline.
The 14th World Congress for Hair Research highlighted important developments in the diagnosis and treatment of hair loss, alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, and hair transplantation, confirming the continuous progress in the field of hair research.
