In this blog, we’ll understand the causes of alopecia and hair loss treatment. Also, going to know about the multiple effective and affordable procedures to treat hair loss.
Who gets alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune hair loss disorder that can affect individuals of any background, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. It can develop in early childhood, though it tends to ignite in early adolescence to late twenties, especially if it is a severe case. Alopecia areata can be prompted by genetic factors, malfunctioning immunity, and sometimes external triggers, such as stress or an illness. People with autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disease, vitiligo, and eczema, are at higher risk than those without. Although androgenic alopecia (also known as pattern baldness) is hereditary, and alopecia areata leads to more patchy hair thinning and loss, it can also occur with facial hair or beard. If you are looking for alopecia areata treatment, creams like minoxidil, topical corticosteroids, anthralin, and immunotherapy agents are often used to reduce hair loss. While there is no cure for the disorder itself, early diagnosis and treatment of alopecia can help manage the symptoms and promote hair regrowth.
Types of alopecia areata:
There are three main alopecia types under alopecia areata, which are as follows:
- Patchy Alopecia Areata: The most frequently seen category of alopecia, it affects how people present themselves because it causes bald patches to appear in circular patches that are the size of a coin on the scalp or body.
- Alopecia Totalis: A more extreme form where all the hair is lost from the scalp; it usually requires more intensive treatment than alopecia areata.
- Alopecia Universalis: The most uncommon type of alopecia, it causes complete hair loss on the scalp, face (leaving you with an alopecia beard ), and all over your body.
What are the symptoms of alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata, or alopecia disease, mainly affects hair, though in some cases, nails may also show signs like pitting. Most people remain otherwise healthy and have no other symptoms.
Hair Changes
The condition usually commences with an abrupt instance of round patches of hair loss on the scalp, beard (alopecia barbae), or eyelashes or eyebrows. The patches may have what are called exclamation-point hairs, which are short, broken hairs, and thin at the base. There is no rash or scarring, unlike in scarring alopecia. Some individuals will experience an itching or tingling sensation a few days prior to the hair falling out.
Hair may:
- Regrow in a few months, often starting white or gray
- Spread to other areas, forming larger patches
- Progress to alopecia totalis (entire scalp) or rarely, alopecia universalis (entire body)
Hair regrowth is more likely in cases with:
- Mild or less extensive hair loss
- No nail involvement
- No family history
- Later age of onset
Nail Changes
About 10–20% of people show nail symptoms like tiny pits, which are more common in severe alopecia types.
Causes of alopecia areata
Hair loss or alopecia can result from various health and lifestyle factors. Understanding the alopecia causes is essential for choosing the right alopecia treatment.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), menopause, pregnancy, and thyroid disorders may lead to alopecia hair loss in women.
- Medical Conditions: Autoimmune illnesses, including alopecia areata, produce patchy hair loss in the scalp, the beard (alopecia barbae), and the body. The hair loss is associated with a natural attack by the immune system on the hair follicles; early intervention to stop alopecia areata is key.
- Genetics: Androgenic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness) is the most common inherited form of hair loss. Androgenic alopecia requires lifestyle changes or treatment in most cases and tends to be gradual.
- Stress: Physical or emotional stressors can cause temporary alopecia symptoms and hair falling months after the stressor occurs.
- Infections & STIs: Untreated infections like syphilis can cause patchy hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, or beard (alopecia barbae).
- Radiation Therapy: Scarring alopecia or cicatricial alopecia can result from radiation therapy and can lead to permanent hair loss.
- Thyroid Disorders: Low thyroid levels can also cause alopecia, hair falling out, especially in women.
If you're wondering what alopecia is, or looking for solutions like alopecia areata treatment, alopecia medication, consult a dermatologist early.
Treatment for alopecia areata
Alopecia, including alopecia areata and androgenic alopecia, can often be treated with medications or may resolve on its own.
- Minoxidil: Over-the-counter alopecia-reduction product for daily, topical application to the scalp.
- Finasteride: A prescription medication for alopecia in men with androgenic alopecia.
- Alopecia areata: Treatment options include topical and intralesional corticosteroids, topical minoxidil, and topical immunotherapies.
- In cases that result from other medications, switching medications can help hair regrow.
For mild cases of alopecia areata, such as unpredictable patchy areas, hairs may regrow without treatment. Regardless, the sooner you treat, the better the outcome for whichever type of alopecia. Moving to a hair transplant can be a permanent solution to your problem, whereas different types of treatments are available, such as PRP and laser therapy. Let’s understand some of those:
Hair transplant surgery
In the most prevalent category of permanent hair loss, hair thins out at the top of the head. Hair restoration or transplant may offer a procedural approach to treatment for hair loss, displacing or removing hair from fuller areas to bald spots. The surgical transplant procedure is performed by dermatologists or surgeons and can use either small grafts or large sections of skin.
PRP Treatment
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is increasingly popular in alopecia treatment. The procedure involves injecting the patient's plasma rich in growth factors into the scalp in order to springboard inactive or recently transplanted hair follicles into a functional state. In essence, PRP lengthens the Anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle, making it one of the most frequently endorsed treatments for alopecia areata, androgenic alopecia, and generalized hair thinning.
PRP may also be thought of as one of the best treatments for alopecia areata and other types of alopecia, especially when considering or comparing it with other treatments like alopecia medication or alopecia areata treatment cream.
What is the Procedure for PRP Treatment?
Three steps are involved in PRP injections:
- For the treatment, physicians will likely first draw blood from an individual's arm.
- The blood will then be placed in a centrifuge, which separates the blood into 3 layers: red blood cells, plasma with low platelets, and plasma with plentiful platelets.
- The PRP is used, with the other layers being discarded.
- Finally, after applying local anaesthetic, a syringe will be used to inject the PRP or "blood injection" into the scalp.
Why is PRP Better Than Other Hair Loss Treatments For Alopecia?
- PRP treatment can be helpful for alopecia and hair loss because -
- PRP widens hair diameter and stops hair thinning.
- PRP can be successful in boosting hair density.
- The blood flow to the hair follicles can be increased by injecting platelets and stimulating growth, which can also strengthen the hair shafts.
- Both alopecia areata and androgenic alopecia can be effectively treated with PRP therapy.
- PRP therapy doesn't involve any cuts or incisions.
- There is zero risk of allergies because PRP therapy uses the patient's own blood.
- PRP is a potential hair loss treatment; however, results may vary from clinic to clinic due to variations in injection procedures and session lengths.
- Hair transplant growth is accelerated by PRP therapy.
UNCOVER Clinics provide a safe, professional, and comprehensive guide to undertaking a PRP hair loss treatment. One can regrow their hair naturally with the help of experts. Also, at UnCover, the procedure is affordable and starts at Rs. 5,000 for a 1-hour session.
Alopecia or hair loss can certainly be managed. There are multiple treatments available, and finding the best hair loss treatment depends on the individual. PRP treatments provide a host of benefits with a negligible risk of side effects. One can visit UnCover clinics for proper guidance concerning treatments that are safe and conducted professionally. Our PRP treatments are effective and long-lasting, and will leave one feeling absolutely confident!
