Losing Your Hair? Learn the Facts

By Katina Miles, MD

Skin Oasis Dermatology

. https://www.skinoasisderm.com/

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Losing Your Hair? Learn the Facts

There are multiple types of hair loss, or alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia is genetic and is the most common form of alopecia affecting both men and women.

In the early stages of androgenetic alopecia, topical minoxidil preparations 5% or higher can effectively regrow hair. Men also have the option of an oral treatment with Propecia. With daily and continued use of minoxidil or Propecia, the regrowth can be maintained.

Telogen effluvium is aggressive shedding of hair triggered by a change in hormonal status as seen with birth control pills, post-partum period, menopause, thyroid dysfunction, and severe stress. Other known causes include medication, depression, anemia, poor nutrition, and major surgery.

Treatment for telogen effluvium is observation, as spontaneous regrowth is the rule of thumb. Medical intervention includes the use of minoxidil, cortisone injections to the affected area, stress management, and adequate nutrition and sleep.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder where immune cells attack the hair follicles. The cause of this condition is unknown but has been associated with stress and may have a genetic component.

Standard treatment includes monthly cortisone injections, topical corticosteroid creams, and minoxidil.

Scarring alopecias include central centrifugal scarring alopecia, traction alopecia, discoid lupus, and lichen planopilaris. Scar tissue in the scalp develops from inflammation that damages and/or destroys the hairfollicles.

The treatment for scarring alopecia is more difficult as inflammation eventually destroys the hair follicles. Therefore, this type of hair loss can be permanent. Early medical intervention is absolutely imperative for scarring alopecia. As once the follicles are gone, it is unlikely that medical treatments will be effective.

The goal of treatment is to slow down and/or halt the underlying inflammatory process so that additional follicles are not damaged. Those with traction alopecia may benefit from hair transplantation. Cortisone injections and minoxidil preparations are also used to treat those with mild to moderate disease.

Other promising cosmetic therapies include low-level laser therapy and platelet rich plasma injections. Low level laser therapy 2-3 times a week increase blood flow to the scalp to support the follicular health. There are few well-designed, double blind, randomized studies that support the effectiveness of this treatment. It appears to be more effective when used in combination with other treatment options such as minoxidil and hair transplantation. Platelet rich plasma injections also increase blood flow to the area and provide growth factors that aid in follicular nutrient support.

Hair transplantation is an effective surgical approach that transfers healthy hair to deficient areas. With all treatments, hair restoration is a slow process. It takes six months to one year to see results.

Unfortunately, no treatment option is a guarantee. In most cases, a combination of treatments may be utilized to obtain optimal results.