No therapy has been found to work for everyone who has alopecia universalis (AU) which makes managing AU challenging. Although multiple treatments have been explored, no therapy is currently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some promising therapies include:

• diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP)
• squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE)
• photodynamic therapy
• steroids
• cyclosporine in combination with methylprednisolone (a steroid)

There are several recent studies showing that a class of medication known as JAK inhibitors, which includes Tofacitinib and Ruxolitinib, are effective in alopecia areata, including AU. However, JAK inhibitors have not yet been approved by the FDA for use in skin conditions.

In some people with AU, hair regrowth occurs without treatment, sometimes after many years.

There are steps that can be taken to decrease the chance of getting too much sun and minimize other discomforts related to having no hair. These may include:

• Using sunscreen on the scalp, face, and all areas of the skin exposed to the sun
• Wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses to protect the eyes from too much sun and from dust and debris when eyebrows or eyelashes are missing
• Wearing wigs, caps, or scarves to protect the scalp from the sun and keep the head warm
• Applying an ointment inside the nostrils to keep them moisturized and help to protect against organisms invading the nose when nostril hair is missing

Many other treatments have been reported to have variable response rates in small studies in alopecia areata. These include latanoprost, nitrogen mustard, massage and relaxation, isoprinosine, acupuncture, and aromatherapy, among others.