[3] Diphenylcyclopropenone triggers an immune response that is thought to oppose the action of the autoreactive cells that otherwise cause hair loss.

[3] A study of 41 alopecia areata patients showed significant hair regrowth in 40% at 6 months, being sustained in two thirds of these after a 12-month-follow up-period.

Reported adverse effects were local and included with pruritus (itching) (15.6%), with blistering (7.1%), and with eczematous reactions (eczema)(14.2%).

The steric hindrance and partial charge on the cyclopropenium inhibit further electrophilic aromatic substitution there, but the phenyl rings are reactive.

[6] Electrophilic Lewis acids stabilize the charge separation, forming diphenylcyclopropenium ether or ester salts.