Inclusion Criteria:  Patients with mild to moderate patchy alopecia areata, which is defined as less than 50% involvement of the entire scalp Age above 12 years. Both genders. Patients with patchy alopecia areata, with 2 patches or more  Exclusion Criteria:  Patients having single patch alopecia areata (at least 2 patches are required, as one patch will be left untreated to exclude the possibility of spontaneous remission) Affection of more than 50% of the scalp area Patients with alopecia totalis or universalis Patients with ophiasis Age: Less than 12 years old. Pregnant or lactating females Patients with history of or existing scalp skin diseases, infections or skin cancer Severe systemic illness (as uncontrolled DM or hypertension, liver or renal diseases) and immune-compromised patients Patients with concomitant autoimmune diseases as suspected by history or confirmed by previous investigations Diagnosis or history of local dermatological disease in the scalp apart from AA such as eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis. Any psychiatric illness or psychological state impairing future compliance or influencing expectations of the patient