Objectives: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune-based disease that affects genetically predisposed individuals.
The novelties in this field concern primarily those therapeutic with the introduction of biological therapy for years now. The studies continue to evolve and soon these drugs will arrive in Italy especially for severe forms. In fact, when alopecia areata affects very large areas, the chances of regrowth are greatly reduced and the time is lengthened.

Disclosures

Did you receive any funding to support your research for this TOPIC?
No

Were you provided with any honoraria, payment or other compensation for your work on this study?
No

Do you have any financial relationship with any entity which may closely compete with the medications, materials or instruments covered by your study?
No

Do you own or have you applied for any patents in conjunction with the instruments, medications or materials discussed in your study?
No

This work was not supported by any direct or non direct funding. It is under the author's own responsability

Objectives: (1) To show the current techniques to deliver medication on the scalp;
(2) To discuss one of these techniques, MMP. MMP is an acronym for micro-infusion of drugs into the skin. This technique is widely used in Brazil by most dermatologists;
(3) To demonstrate how the procedure is carried out, according to paper published by us.

Introduction: Novel approaches for delivery of topical medications to the hair follicle are a new promising area in the treatment of hair disorders. In this lecture, I will talk about one of these techniques which is the MMP. MMP is a recently described technique in which drug delivery is achieved by using tattoo devices. There are publications on the treatment of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, psoriasis and alopecias.

Materials / method: We reviewed the papers about MMP and alopecias and we will show the results concerning this technique in alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia, specifically. In 2020, we published a case of reports about the successful treatment of alopecia areata patches with triamcinolone acetonide using MMP.

Results: Although there are few publications about MMP and more research is necessary, the current studies and our experience show that the advantage of this technique over traditional intralesional injection is that a small amount of drug can be delivered homogeneously into the skin and consistently at the same depth, thus improving drug delivery to the desired target(s).

Conclusion: There is some evidence of the use of MMP in the treatment of alopecia. Our results indicate that this technique could be a safe and promising intervention to stimulate hair growth in alopecia. However, more studies involving a larger number of patients are needed to confirm our findings. Standardized protocols need to be developed for concentration, needle length, and optimal treatment frequency and duration. Therefore, MMP is one of the most promising techniques that can deliver medication with efficacy and safety.

Disclosures

Did you receive any funding to support your research for this TOPIC?
No

Were you provided with any honoraria, payment or other compensation for your work on this study?
No

Do you have any financial relationship with any entity which may closely compete with the medications, materials or instruments covered by your study?
No

Do you own or have you applied for any patents in conjunction with the instruments, medications or materials discussed in your study?
No

This work was not supported by any direct or non direct funding. It is under the author's own responsability

Disclosures

Did you receive any funding to support your research for this TOPIC?
No

Were you provided with any honoraria, payment or other compensation for your work on this study?
No

Do you have any financial relationship with any entity which may closely compete with the medications, materials or instruments covered by your study?
No

Do you own or have you applied for any patents in conjunction with the instruments, medications or materials discussed in your study?
No

This work was not supported by any direct or non direct funding. It is under the author's own responsability

Disclosures

Did you receive any funding to support your research for this TOPIC?
No

Were you provided with any honoraria, payment or other compensation for your work on this study?
No

Do you have any financial relationship with any entity which may closely compete with the medications, materials or instruments covered by your study?
No

Do you own or have you applied for any patents in conjunction with the instruments, medications or materials discussed in your study?
No

This work was not supported by any direct or non direct funding. It is under the author's own responsability

Disclosures

Did you receive any funding to support your research for this TOPIC?
No

Were you provided with any honoraria, payment or other compensation for your work on this study?
No

Do you have any financial relationship with any entity which may closely compete with the medications, materials or instruments covered by your study?
No

Do you own or have you applied for any patents in conjunction with the instruments, medications or materials discussed in your study?
No

This work was not supported by any direct or non direct funding. It is under the author's own responsability