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Writer's pictureMaryam Vares

Alopecia: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Updated: Apr 11, 2024

Alopecia is a medical condition that causes hair loss not only on the head but also in other areas of the body. This condition does not select its victims according to their age or gender, as well as ethnic origin; it is capable of significantly undermining someone’s self-respect and quality of life.


Alopecia
Alopecia

Various types of Alopecia


  1. Alopecia Areata: Also known as spot baldness, this kind of alopecia leads to loss of hair in patches on the scalp, face and other parts of the body. It develops when immune system cells attack hair follicles by mistake making them smaller and incapable of producing new hair.

  2. Androgenetic Alopecia: Also referred to as male or female pattern baldness, this form develops as a combination effect from genetic factors and hormones leading to receding hairline and thinning at the crown region.

  3. Telogen Effluvium: Occurring once a person unexpectedly undergoes severe stresses like surgeries, diseases or pregnancy; this form makes hair follicles move into resting stage thus resulting to shedding off and thinning out.

The symptoms for alopecia differ depending on type and degree of infection; they may include:

  • Balding sores either within the scalp area or outer parts

  • Hair being scanty especially at the top part

  • Hair recedes over time leading to eventual baldness

  • A lot more than normal hairs falling off

  • Small rounded voids devoid of any hair


Treatment options for alopecia:


  1. Medications: Different medications can be used to cure alopecia like minoxidil (Rogaine), finasteride (Propecia) and corticosteroids among others. The latter drugs facilitate regrowth while curbing inflammation in follicles.

  2. Microneedling: This is a cosmetic operation employing fine needles to make tiny punctures in the skin. It helps increase production of collagen, drive more blood to hair follicles and enhance growth of hair.

  3. Hair Transplant Surgery: Follicular unit transplantation method is whereby hairs from elsewhere are shifted to regions lacking or with thin hairs. This can be a good treatment option for those people suffering from androgenetic alopecia; however, it involves surgery and therefore has inherent risks and complications.

  4. Lifestyle Changes: Making lifestyle changes such as reducing stress, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding harsh chemicals and pollutants can help to improve the health of the hair follicles and reduce the symptoms of alopecia.

  5. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: PRP therapy is a treatment that involves using a patient's own blood to promote hair growth. The blood is drawn from the patient and spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets, which contain growth factors that can stimulate hair growth. The platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the scalp, where it can help to stimulate hair growth and reduce the symptoms of alopecia. Its effectiveness for Androgenetic Alopecia makes PRP therapy an ideal remedy for hair loss; furthermore, it does not take long to perform since it is minimally invasive thus one may have their procedure done at dermatologist’s office during lunch break without much hassle as well as hospitalization or time off work since there are few side effects associated with this procedure hence little downtime required after such procedures have been conducted

  6. Laser Therapy: It is a procedure that utilizes low-level lasers to stimulate hair growth and minimize alopecia indications. To boost blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote hair growth, they are applied on the head. Laser therapy is a secure and efficient procedure for baldness treatment plus it has already been revealed to be especially helpful in cases of androgenic alopecia. In the office of a skin doctor, it is non-invasive hence very minimal downtime and side effects.

  7. Scalp Micropigmentation: It is a process of cosmetic tattooing where hairs appear thicker by being injected with pigments which look like follicles. Scalp micropigmentation is a safe and effective treatment for hair loss, including alopecia areata, androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium because it can treat different types of baldness problems. The dermatologist’s salon can offer the least invasive scalp micropigmentation as well as short turnaround time after this process.

  8. Hair Growth Supplements: Biotin, iron, zinc among others are some of the medications used in treating alopecia which is normally caused by an underlying disease. These formulas improve hair growth while minimizing symptoms associated with alopecia.Are safe… Suffering from Some supplements may have interactions with other drugs or even lead to adverse results; thus if you want to commence taking any new dietary supplements always seek advice from your doctor.

Microneedling involves rolling a dermaroller or microneedling pen over the scalp to create tiny punctures that spur natural healing mechanisms in the body; thus increasing blood supply to hair follicles for faster hair regeneration and reduced signs of alopecia. Alopecia including all its forms namely areata, genetic conditions like male/female pattern baldness or due to certain physiological reasons such as shedding too much of your own strands can be healed through microneedling. It works effectively on any type of skin and is known to have negligible downtime and side effects.


Alopecia is a medical condition that results in hair loss on the head and other body parts. Consequently, people who suffer from it normally experience self-esteem problems and a lower quality of life; therefore, it’s advisable to go for treatment before conditions deteriorate. Treatment options for alopecia include medications, microneedling, hair transplant surgery lifestyle changes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy laser therapy scalp micropigmentation as well as hair growth supplements. These treatments can assist you get back your confidence following partial alopecia; thinning hair or even excess falling out thereof because they work in all these situations.



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