What is your preferred protocol for squaric acid (SADBE) treatments for alopecia areata/totalis?

Based on a few series published showing that sensitization is not necessary for contact immunotherapy, I tend to do one of two things:

1. Start patients at squaric acid 0.001% solution every other day at home and increase the concentration by 10 (0.01%, then 0.1%, then 0.5%) monthly if not reacting.
2. Order small aliquots (5 mL) of various strengths (0.001%, 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%) and have them test a small area to each strength for two weeks and let me know which one reacts with erythema, mild itch, but not too much. I have them do this on their scalp.

These regimens also come from difficulty in seeing patients back whether due to my schedule or due to their distance from our office.

Studies show this method is just slower than the tra...