Introduction To Alopecia

Alopecia is basically referred to the absence of hair, either partially or completely, from the areas of the body where it is normally supposed to grow. In simple terms, it is known as the dreadful vice of baldness.

Major Types Of Alopecia

Various types of alopecia have been discovered so far. The most common are mentioned below:

• Androgenic Alopecia– It is common in both men and women. It is usually in the form of a U-shaped pattern around the back and side hair. People usually experience loss of hair from the crown and thinning of the hairline. Extreme cases might even result in complete baldness.
• Alopecia Areata– This itself has numerous types of its own. It is mostly linked to a weak immune system. The depravity of an immune system targets specific body tissues, including the hair follicles. This can result in any type of areata hair loss.
• Alopecia Universalis – It is the most dreadful of all the types. The whole body loses all hair and due to this, the whole body becomes more vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections.
• Alopecia Totalis– It is referred to as the total loss of hair on the scalp. It is usually caused by an auto-immune disorder. There are two types of alopecia totalis. The first one is the rapid hair fall leading to complete hair loss. Whereas, the second is the gradual hair fall leading to bald patches and eventually complete baldness.
• Traction Alopecia– It is usually caused by the constant tension or pulling of the hair for a longer duration of time. The most common examples are braids, ponytails, cosmetic surgeries, etc. The constant pressure damages the hair follicles and the papilla which results in hair fall.

Causes Of Alopecia

There could be a lot of things that trigger alopecia. It could be caused naturally by the process of aging, or due to lack of proper care, heredity, any disease, medications, drugs or due to the chemically loaded beauty treatments.

Signs And Symptoms

• The hair starts thinning on the top of the head. In men, the hairline recedes as well.
• Circular or patchy bald spots are clear indications of alopecia.
• A handful of hair comes out while washing or combing the hair.
• In extreme cases, the full body loses hair.

Investigation

There is a difference between hair loss patterns and causes among men and women. It requires a certain number of tests to pinpoint the basic problem and various causes of alopecia.

Treatments

It is important to see a doctor as soon as the symptoms of alopecia are visible. The doctors can provide the treatment to help regrow the hair. Some of the advanced treatments include:-

• PRP Therapy

In PRP therapy, the platelets that are rich in plasma are injected into the scalp to promote hair growth. PRP therapy consists of 3 steps. Here, the blood from the patient is drawn (typically from an arm). Then it is processed in a centrifuge. After this, the PRP is injected back into the scalp. It is becoming an increasingly popular treatment.

• Dermarollers

Dermaroller is a device with thousands of gentle micro-needles on a roller. It has a handle to support the roller. It works on the principle of microneedling and stimulates new hair growth. This procedure can treat diffuse thinning hair and various types of alopecia. It can be used with or without minoxidil. Experts are required to help you with the procedure as you might get your hair tangled or damaged.

• Mesotherapy

In mesotherapy, a cocktail of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and plant extract is injected into the scalp with the help of fine needles. The composition is customized as per the individual’s requirement. This nourishes the hair. DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) is a hormone that contributes to pattern baldness. With mesotherapy, this condition can be treated easily.

An expert dermatologist or a good skin specialist may suggest some other advanced treatments as well depending upon the condition of your hair.