Alopecia
Have you ever experienced waking up and looking at the mirror, seeing an irregular hair loss pattern on your head? Yes, that is Alopecia.
Alopecia is a complex condition that has affected millions of people worldwide. It goes beyond mere hair loss and can dreadfully have profound effects on the self-esteem and overall well-being of a
person.
What is Alopecia
Alopecia, in its most fundamental form, refers to hair loss. However, casually, it is also referred to as irregular male or female pattern baldness. Consequently, it is not a superficial concern as it can
significantly take a toll on one’s self-confidence and emotional well-being. Therefore, it is important to fully understand what alopecia is so that you can have it treated accordingly. Ultimately, understanding alopecia requires comprehending its common types and the symptoms associated with each one. Let’s begin by exploring the key categories of alopecia.
Common Types of Alopecia
- Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenic alopecia is a hair loss disorder that can affect both men and women, leading to permanent hair loss on the scalp, which ultimately results in baldness. In men, it often leads to hair loss at the top and front of the head, while women typically experience thinning hair on the top and crown of their head. This usually begins with a widening of the center hair part, and the front hairline remains unaffected.
The main culprit behind androgenic alopecia is a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which has a detrimental effect on your hair follicles. It causes hair to fall out and hinders new hair growth. DHT is produced when testosterone is converted into this hormone, and because men generally have higher testosterone levels than women, this is why baldness tends to be more common among men.
- Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a condition where your body’s defense system, the immune system, gets a bit confused and mistakenly starts attacking your hair follicles. This can lead to hair loss in certain areas of your body, with the scalp being the most commonplace. Sometimes, your hair might naturally grow back on its own, but there’s also a chance it could fall out again if your immune system acts up.
- Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a temporary situation where hair starts shedding after you’ve gone through a stressful event. When you’re under a lot of stress, a bunch of your hair follicles take a break and stop growing, which eventually leads to them falling out a few months later. Stressors like surgery, giving
birth, or dealing with a severe illness can trigger this. The good news is, in many instances, your hair tends to grow back once the stress is behind you.
- Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia happens when your hair follicles suffer harm from constant, intense stress, and as a result, they can’t produce new hair. This problem typically comes from wearing tight hairstyles like tight ponytails, buns, braids, or cornrows. To avoid traction alopecia, it’s best to opt for looser hairstyles and not put too much pressure on your hair follicles. Once these follicles get damaged, hair loss can’t be reversed.
Symptoms of Alopecia
The symptoms of alopecia can be emotionally distressing and have a substantial impact on an individual’s self-esteem. Here are the most common symptoms:
Thinning Hair: One of the initial signs of alopecia is the gradual thinning of hair. For those with androgenetic alopecia, this thinning primarily occurs on the top of the head and can affect both men and women.
Receding Hairline: A receding hairline is a classic symptom of male pattern baldness. It begins with the gradual retreat of the hairline, often forming an “M” shape.
Balding: Bald patches, either round or irregular in shape, are a hallmark of alopecia areata. These patches can appear suddenly and may be surrounded by healthy hair.
Excessive Shedding: Telogen effluvium is characterized by a noticeable increase in hair shedding. You might find more hair in your brush, shower, or on your pillow.
Hair Breakage: Traction alopecia can lead to hair breakage, especially in the areas where tension is applied. This results in shorter, weakened hair strands
Common Types of Alopecia
Various treatment options are available for Androgenetic Alopecia:
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a topical over-the-counter medication that can help kickstart hair growth and reduce hair loss. But here’s the important part: it takes time. You’ll need to use this medication consistently for about a year to see if it’s effective for you. In the early stages of using it, you might notice a brief
increase in hair loss, but don’t worry; this typically stops as new hair starts to grow. You can find Minoxidil in both liquid and foam versions.
Finasteride
Finasteride is a prescription drug made for men to tackle hair loss. It does this by lowering the levels of DHT, a hormone that contributes to hair loss, which can help keep the hair you have and potentially grow some back. However, it’s important to note that this medication can cause birth defects, so it’s usually not recommended for women who are still in their childbearing years. Postmenopausal women might be considered for it under certain circumstances.
Spironolactone
Women have another option called spironolactone to combat androgenetic alopecia. Studies have shown that this medication can block androgens, which are hormones that can lead to hair loss, and this blocking effect can help with growing back hair and making it thicker.
Laser Treatment
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a specific type of laser treatment that activates your hair follicles and makes them stay active for longer, which leads to thicker hair, more hair growth, and better coverage on your scalp.
You can even use LLLT alongside other treatments like Minoxidil, and studies have found that using both together might work better than using each one on its own.
Microneedling
In the microneedling procedure, small needles are used on the scalp to kickstart hair growth. These needles can be on a roller or a pen-like device, and they make tiny punctures in the skin that reach the deeper layer called the dermis. This process causes a bit of inflammation, which in turn stimulates the production of collagen and helps with growing hair.
When you combine microneedling with topical Minoxidil, it can lead to better hair growth and thicker hair compared to using Minoxidil by itself. Microneedling can also be paired with platelet-rich plasma therapy for even more potential benefits.
What is Alopecia
Alopecia, in its most fundamental form, refers to hair loss. However, casually, it is also referred to as irregular male or female pattern baldness. Consequently, it is not a superficial concern as it can significantly take a toll on one’s self-confidence and emotional well-being. Therefore, it is important to fully understand what alopecia is so that you can have it treated accordingly. Ultimately, understanding alopecia requires comprehending its common types and the symptoms associated with each one. Let’s begin by exploring the key categories of alopecia.
Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia
- Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a topical over-the-counter medication that can help kickstart hair growth and reduce hair loss. But here’s the important part: it takes time. You’ll need to use this medication consistently for about a year to see if it’s effective for you. In the early stages of using it, you might notice a brief
increase in hair loss, but don’t worry; this typically stops as new hair starts to grow. You can find Minoxidil in both liquid and foam versions.
- Finasteride
Finasteride is a prescription drug made for men to tackle hair loss. It does this by lowering the levels of DHT, a hormone that contributes to hair loss, which can help keep the hair you have and potentially grow some back. However, it’s important to note that this medication can cause birth defects, so it’s usually not recommended for women who are still in their childbearing years. Postmenopausal women might be considered for it under certain circumstances.
- Spironolactone
Women have another option called spironolactone to combat androgenetic alopecia. Studies have shown that this medication can block androgens, which are hormones that can lead to hair loss, and this blocking effect can help with growing back hair and making it thicker.
- Laser Treatment
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a specific type of laser treatment that activates your hair follicles and makes them stay active for longer, which leads to thicker hair, more hair growth, and better coverage on your scalp.
You can even use LLLT alongside other treatments like Minoxidil, and studies have found that using both together might work better than using each one on its own.
- Microneedling
In the microneedling procedure, small needles are used on the scalp to kickstart hair growth. These needles can be on a roller or a pen-like device, and they make tiny punctures in the skin that reach the deeper layer called the dermis. This process causes a bit of inflammation, which in turn stimulates the production of collagen and helps with growing hair.
When you combine microneedling with topical Minoxidil, it can lead to better hair growth and thicker hair compared to using Minoxidil by itself. Microneedling can also be paired with platelet-rich plasma therapy for even more potential benefits.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP, is a quick procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
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