DonovanMedical

01/25/2025

The first voyage of the Evidence Based Hair Fellowship (EBHF) has been a true joy. What a privilege it has been working with 120 dedicated people as they transition from knowledgeable practitioners to masterful experts in diagnosing and managing some of the most challenging hair loss conditions.

The EBHF now moves into week number 56 of 87 total weeks - and several months dedicated to scarring alopecia.

The end of program is by no means done - but the finish line can now be seen. The shore has come into focus - although it remains quite a ways off in the distance.

On March 1, 2025 we will formally announce the Evidence Based Hair Fellowship program for 2026-2027 and open up the application process. The program will start in January 2026. Thank you to everyone for your interest.

I’ll look forward to updating you again and ways that everyone can get involved in congratulating our current EBHF practitioners when they arrive to week 87 at the end of August 2025. It was once just a dream that a program like this might exist someday.

01/08/2025

I was interviewed by the Toronto Star on the “no poo” movement - a trend of skipping the shampoo.

Here’s why your shampoo might not be working for you, whether you should consider going “no poo” — and how often you should actually wash your hair.

01/03/2025

The Top 20 Hair Research Studies of 2024. A Link to our Dec 30, 2024 webinar. Congratulations to all authors of these 20 wonderful studies!

In this video, Dr. Donovan reviews the 20 most influential hair research studies published in the year 2024. This public webinar was conducted on December ...

12/28/2024

I would like to invite you to join me for a very special event - an annual celebration honoring the top hair research studies of the past year.

On Dec 30, 2024 from 5 -7:30 pm PST (8 -10:30 pm EST) I’ll review my choices the top 20 hair loss studies of 2024. These are important studies that have changed what I do in the clinic.

The webinar is followed by a question and answer session. Questions can be submitted during the webinar.

For those unable to join, we’ll record the webinar and upload it at a later date.

Register at https://donovanmedical.com/webinars

12/23/2024

In this week’s Evidence Based Hair podcast, we explore an interesting study examining whether patients with alopecia areata have an increased risk for heart disease.

Welcome to the final episode of the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast for 2024, hosted by Dr. Jeff Donovan, a leading dermatologist and hair loss specialist. In th...

12/16/2024

In this week’s Evidence Based Hair podcast, I discuss the use of the JAK1 inhibitor Upadacitinib for treating dissecting cellulitis. https://youtu.be/y3irnGoY3BA?feature=shared

Welcome to the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast, hosted by dermatologist and hair loss specialist Dr. Jeff Donovan. In this episode, Dr. Donovan explores a ground...

12/15/2024

It was my honour and joy to work with this amazing cross-country and international team en route to publishing this review in the International Journal of Dermatology.
��Did you know that alopecia areata and vitiligo often coexist? How might you treat patients with both conditions at the same time so that both conditions hopefully improve? Both conditions share common pathogeneses, primarily driven by IFN-γ and Th1 responses, with CD8 + T cells playing a central role.

Our group examined the efficacy and safety of reported treatments with small molecules and biologics in patients with concurrent AA and vitiligo. Treatments reviewed included
received systemic JAK inhibitors as well as the interleukin 12/23 inhibitor ustekinumab.

If a patient has one autoimmune disease, the chances for a second one is increased. So we need to be prepared for patients with complex medical histories. Understanding coexisting conditions and how best to treat them is so important in everyday practice.

How do we help a patient with both alopecia and vitiligo ? How do we help a patient with both alopecia and atopic dermatitis ? How do we help a patient with both alopecia and inflammatory bowel disease ?

Well done team! The full reference is below!

Reference

Eric McMullen, Shahnawaz Towheed, Dea Metko, Shanti Mehta, Shireen Dumont, Cathryn Sibbald, Jeffrey Donovan. Biologics and small molecules for patients with concomitant alopecia areata and vitiligo: A review. Int J Dermatol. 2024.

12/14/2024

An Often Forgotten Principle of Treating Hair Loss!

Today, I’d like to review a principle of treating hair loss that is extremely simple - and very often forgotten. It is a principle that can evoke much emotion - both positive and negative. It is a principle that, when neglected, can lead to excessive side effects, excessive patient costs and adde

12/12/2024

Minoxidil for alopecia areata? How good is it? https://donovanmedical.com/hair-blog/minoxidil-aa-2

Systematic Review Suggests Yes - Although Data is Somewhat Weak A nice systematic review by Raval et al in the September issues of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology examined whether oral and topical minoxidil are helpful for alopecia areata. STUDIES OF TOPICAL MINOXIDIL Th

12/09/2024

In this week’s episode of the Evidence Based Hair podcast, I discuss an intriguing study titled "Dupilumab Induces Hair Regrowth in Pediatric Alopecia Areata," which explores the potential of dupilumab as a treatment for children suffering from both alopecia areata and atopic dermatitis.

One can listen to the full episode today wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts (Apple podcasts, Spotify etc) or the DonovanMedical youtube channel).

https://youtu.be/MQozt8dbKwg?feature=shared

Join me as I discuss the study's findings, highlighting how dupilumab has shown promise in improving hair growth in this unique patient population. With a good safety profile, dupilumab emerges as a viable option alongside other treatments (JAK inhibitors, topical and intralesional steroids, methotrexate) for managing these conditions. The episode also covers the study's methodology and results, emphasizing the significant reduction in SALT scores among the participants.

I’ll share insights into the complexities of treating pediatric alopecia areata and the potential of dupilumab to offer new hope for patients and clinicians alike.

STUDY REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE

David E. Dupilumab induces hair regrowth in pediatric alopecia areata: a real-world, single-center observational study. Arch Dermatol Res . 2024 Jul 23;316(7):487.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast, hosted by dermatologist and hair loss specialist Dr. Jeff Donovan. In this episode, we delv...

12/02/2024

An update on our 2024-2025 EBHF. Join me in congratulating our fellows on completing another milestone - the Block 2 examination!

12/02/2024

In this week’s episode of the Evidence Based Hair podcast, I discuss topical metformin as a second line treatment option for CCCA. Doesn’t work great but gives options for those unresponsive to first line options.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast, hosted by dermatologist and hair loss specialist, Dr. Jeff Donovan. As the director of the ...