Institution: St John's Institute of Dermatology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Lead researchers: Dr Christos Tziotzios and Dr Chantal Cotter

Project title: Alopecia + Us: A Global Disease Impact Study

Type of hair loss: Alopecia areata (including totalis & universalis)

Alopecia + Us is a global research collaboration to understand the emotional and psychological impact of alopecia areata on adolescents (young people) aged 12-17 and their families. The study involves a set of surveys on an online platform which can be accessed via the link below. It should be completed by the young person together with their parent or guardian, and should take about 20 minutes in total. 

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss, which can range from small patches to complete loss across the scalp or body. While the physical effects are well-recognised, the broader emotional and social challenges it creates remain less understood. The research team want to improve the understanding of the effects that alopecia areata has, and use this to bring more awareness and fight for healthcare that treats the whole person including any psychological effects. Through research, community involvement, and shared experiences, they aim to empower individuals and families to navigate life with alopecia areata with resilience and confidence.

To learn more about the project, and to take part in the survey, please visit alopeciaus.org or scan the QR code below to access the survey directly. To ask questions of the study team or to request the survey in a language other than English, please contact Dr Chantal Cotter on [email protected].