A few questions about squaric acid

Before I asked my question I wanted to background about my alopecia. I am 18 and have been dealing with this condition for about a over 1 1/2 years. I first noticed it when one of my eyebrows started to fall out. A later after not shaving for a days I noticed a few spots on my beard (these spots could have been there for a while but i just did not notice them). And a few months ago I started to notice one of my eyelashes starting to fall out.

I tried a few treatments cream, injections and iodine all to not avail.

I started treatment of my one eyebrow (the other one is fine) about seven weeks ago. I have been going every other week and have received a total of 4 treatments. The first time I did not react but the proceeding three I have. So I have only been reacting to it for about 5 weeks.

I few things I have been wondering about it though.

What is the normal amount of time before its effects are noticeable?

A have be reading online that it takes about 8-12 weeks. But the past few times I have been to the derm they have been asking if I have noticed an effect. And the last time I was there (about a week ago) the derm told me that I should start seeing results by next time. Since I have only been reacting for about 5 weeks isn't premature to expect results this early?

Also How long should the reaction be present for?

By the end of the night that I had my treatment the area gets real red and itchy. By the next morning the some of the itchyness goes away and the redness fades only very slightly. By that night it has faded somewhat but you can still tell its there. By the next day it is harder to see that there was a reaction. Is this normal?

Sorry for the long post

Chris

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Permalink Reply by Cindy on September 8, 2009 at 4:04pm
What kind of squaric acid treatment are you doing Chris? My daughter has been doing the SADBE for a year and half now. She completely lost all of her hair and it is almost all back. We do not treat the lashes and brows directly, but the squaric acid is supposed to tackle the entire immune system. Sam's eyebrows are starting to come in now. That is a year post the hair regrowth. The rashes you are describing are normal and Sam had the same experience. We applied the treatment to her scalp at home weekly to a different area of her scalp each time. We now apply it 3 times a week on the areas that still have no growth...Please feel free to contact me if you have any question. Sam started the process in Dec 07 and regrowth began in June 08. She did not start weekly treatments until March 08. That is another story. Cindy
Permalink Reply by Jean on October 15, 2009 at 7:26pm
Hi Cindy,
Do you feel if you discontinue this treatment would the alopecia take control again and hair loss as a result?
My son Matthew has stopped all treatments with the exception of kenalog shots in his eyebrows.
Very interested in your experience.
Jean
Permalink Reply by Chris R on September 16, 2009 at 12:29am
I wish I could have replied to this sooner but it has been one crazy week with school and work.
Cindy and Samantha, Thanks for getting back to me and the support,
To be honest with you I am not really sure what type of squaric acid i am on. I am guessing it is SADBE since I did a quick search and that was the only one I was able to find. It kinda surprised me when you said you said you were applying the treatment at home. My derm said she could not write me a prescription since this type of treatment is not approved for Alopecia by the FDA. It sure would be nice to be able to do it at home though.

I am happy the treatment is working for you and wish you the best with it,
Chris

Aimee for what it's worth the treatment for me is not as bad as I expected.
Permalink Reply by Cindy on October 6, 2009 at 2:28pm
Chris, maybe you are doing the DCP then? I believe that is applied at the office. How is it going for you?
Permalink Reply by Georgie on September 19, 2009 at 11:53pm
I've endured many squaric acid treatments through my dermatologist. I don't recall what % she used, but all the treatments stimulated hair growth. I'm pretty sure hairs emerged well before 8 weeks. The itchiness and discomfort is a challenge those first several days....but it's worth it, I guess. We all have different tolerances to pain. I've also done a lot of kenalog injections-- a few times I had the squaric acid and kenalog injection combo. That was kind of unpleasant. When I had smaller patches treated with squaric acid it wasn't so bad....but the really large patches (2-3 inches wide) on the back of my head were CRAZY itchy.

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