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A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends in Hair Loss Treatment: Key Contributions, Emerging Hotspots, and Future Directions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Alopecia is a prevalent condition that impacts a person's physical appearance, mental health, and overall life satisfaction. Traditional pharmacological or surgical treatments have limitations, whereas recent advancements in regenerative medicine have introduced promising noninvasive options. However, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis on hair loss treatment remains lacking. Objectives: This bibliometric analysis aimed to characterize key contributions, emerging research hotspots and future directions in global hair loss treatment. Methods: A total of 2591 original articles and reviews in English published between January 1, 2001, and June 15, 2025, were retrieved from the Web of Science database. Bibliometric analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace to visualize publication trends, country/region contributions, institutional involvement, journal impact, author productivity, and emerging research keywords. Results: The publication count has consistently grown, experiencing a notable surge from 2013 onward. The United States led in publication volume and citations, with China and South Korea following. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published the most articles, whereas Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology garnered the highest citation numbers. Yong Miao emerged as the most prolific author, and the most-cited paper was a review on low-level laser therapy. Key research hotspots included platelet-rich plasma, microneedling, exosomes, tissue engineering, Janus kinase inhibitors, etc. Conclusions: This analysis emphasizes the increasing focus on noninvasive and regenerative treatments for hair loss. Although emerging technologies show promise, further high-quality clinical trials and multicenter studies are essential to confirm their clinical applicability. These findings offer valuable insights into future research and clinical applications in hair regeneration. Level of Evidence 3 Therapeutic: For image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text.

Source: Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum

DOI: 10.1093/asjof/ojag036