Our involvement with research started with the Hair Loss Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) in 2013. This project established the top priorities for hair loss research. Since we started funding research in 2018, we have funded a variety of projects, in research domains including psychology, dermatology and immunology. Each of these projects is only possible thanks to the generous support of our community.
Every project is approved by our Research Committee and our Lay Research Panel. This ensures we support research of the highest scientific quality, and of the highest priority to people affected by alopecia. Since 2018, we have invested over £585,000 into alopecia research projects. Due to a generous legacy donation, restricted to alopecia areata research, we have been able to fund several larger projects focusing on this condition.
This project funded in 2024 aims to improve diagnosis of all types of alopecia using digital imaging Read more
This project funded in 2017 investigated if vibrations (Nanokick stimulation) could open up a new pathway for the treatment of alopecia areata Read more
This project funded in 2019 aimed to determine if there is an association between alopecia areata and coeliac disease and if a gluten free diet can stimulate hair regrowth in some patients. Read more
This project funded in 2022 aimed to form a consensus on what forms the best recipe for psychological support for people with alopecia areata. Read more
This project funded in 2020 studied genes associated with an increased risk of developing frontal fibrosing alopecia. Read more
The Biobank was started in 2017 to collect samples of blood, skin swabs, skin, and stool from volunteers with AA, AT and AU, for research into the causes of alopecia areata. Read more
This registry co-funded in 2022 aims to monitor the effectiveness and safety of treatments for alopecia areata in the UK, which will allow comparisons with global data. Read more
This project funded in 2022 investigated how hair cells get their energy to find out if this system is disrupted in alopecia areata. Read more
This project in 2013-14 asked people affected by hair loss and people involved in treating hair loss to think about what's wrong with existing treatments and what future research they would like to see. Read more
This project funded in 2021 investigated the experiences of men with hair loss. Read more
This project funded in 2020 performed an in-depth analysis to determine the microbiome signatures of six different types of alopecia. Read more
This project funded in 2019 investigated the role of microRNAs and associated pathways in scarring alopecia. Read more
This project funded in 2020 investigated the genes involved in development of frontal fibrosing alopecia in men. Read more
This PhD project funded in 2025 aims to investigate the interactions between immune cells that cause alopecia areata Read more
This PhD project funded in 2025 aims to develop a framework for effective, psychologicall safe, equitable, and inclusive peer support for individuals affected by alopecia areata Read more
This PhD bursary project funded in 2022 aims to study the early stages of alopecia areata and if early treatment can improve outcomes Read more
This project funded in 2024 investigates the role of platelets (a type of blood cell) in alopecia areata Read more
This project funded in 2021 investigated if trichohyalin triggers and/or enhances the autoimmune attack on hair follicles in alopecia areata Read more