The Effectiveness of N-Acetyl Cysteine in Conjunction with Microneedling Compared to Microneedling Alone for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata. | ||
| Benha Medical Journal | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 23 November 2025 PDF (1.02 M) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/bmfj.2025.424027.2668 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Eman Mohamed Hassan* 1; Miran Kassem Kassem2 | ||
| 1Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology , Faculty of Medicine, Benha University , BENHA , EGYPT | ||
| 2Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| ABSTRACT Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition that causes non-scarring hair loss. Although several therapy options exist, many have considerable adverse effects and/or low efficacy. This encourages the ongoing creation of innovative treatments. Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) combined with microneedling (MN) versus microneedling (MN) alone in treating alopecia areata. Patients and methods: The comparative study of the intervention included fifty patients clinically diagnosed with AA and confirmed through dermoscopy. These patients were split into two groups. Group I (25 patients) underwent treatment with N-acetyl cysteine combined with microneedling (NAC-MN), and Group II (25 patients) underwent treatment with microneedling (MN). The patients were assessed utilizing the Severity of Alopecia Tool Score (SALT), the Hair Regrowth Scale (RGS), and dermoscopic evaluation. Results: The SALT score became statistically significantly lower after treatment compared to before treatment in Group I (NAC-MN) (P value < 0.001) than in Group II (MN) (P value < 0.035). Group I (n=15), which had 60% hair regrowth, had a statistically significantly higher Hair Regrowth Score (RGS 5) compared to group II (n=5), which had 20% regrowth (P value <0.001). Conclusion: N-acetyl cysteine may be considered an efficacious treatment for alopecia areata when used with microneedling as an adjunctive method for transepidermal delivery of active compounds. Minimal to no adverse effects were noted following microneedling in conjunction with NAC or microneedling independently. Further research is required on a large group of individuals with alopecia areata utilizing N-acetylcysteine as a topical therapy modality. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Alopecia areata; microneedling; N-acetyl cysteine | ||
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