Alopecia Areata (Patchy Hair Loss)
Alopecia Areata is a type of hair loss that results in small to large bald patches on the scalp, beard or other areas of the body. It's an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles, causing hair to fall out.
While it often regrows on its own, timely treatment can help promote faster regrowth and reduce the chances of recurrence.
What is Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia Areata is recognised by hair loss resulting in small to large patches of baldness on the scalp or the beard. It can occur at any age and in both men and women. It is an auto immune disorder which results in your body seeing the follicles as an anti-body and attacking them.
Signs of Alopecia Areata
Often you won't notice the first signs of Alopecia Areata, but a friend, partner or hairdresser might be the one to tell you first as the areas are often hidden.
It is distinctive in that it presents itself as a small bald patch. There can be one or many areas affected.
It can occur in sufferers once or numerous times. Your hair loss will sometimes re-grow by itself but if left there is a chance that the areas will become larger and can then become a more advanced form of Alopecia.
The underlying scalp is often unaffected and healthy looking. Occasionally it can look slightly red and some sufferers complain of a slight burning, itching, irritated or tingling sensation.
A trichologist will be able to tell you at consultation if the areas are still active by looking closely at your hair and scalp through a pro-scope camera to see if there are any signs of ‘ exclamation marks’ (broken hairs that look just like an exclamation mark).
Your nails can also be affected by giving them a pitted look or causing them to be brittle and break easily.
As a result of any form of Alopecia, you can become stressed, self-conscious and it can have an effect on your mental health. All of these can unfortunately make your condition worse but saying that, once you have engaged in the correct treatment all of these feelings soon go away as you will have taken control of the alopecia. We find that once clients see new hair re-growing this helps their recovery immensely.
Unfortunately once you have suffered with any form of alopecia it is possible that you can suffer a reoccurrence at any time although many sufferers only suffer one bout.
Possible Causes of Alopecia Areata
- Autoimmune disorder
- Hereditary
- Stress
- Medication
- Vitiligo (patches of lighter skin)
- Thyroid disease
Alopecia Areata Treatment: Regrow Your Hair With Expert In-Clinic Hair Loss Treatments and Products
Sometimes, if left, your hair will re-grow by itself although it must be known that this isn’t always the case and the areas can become larger if left untreated.
There are many non-natural medications options available like steroid injections (which can be very uncomfortable and often without results). Minoxidil, Regaine and Propecia are all topical and tablet form treatments which some people benefit from, although it is advisable to know that if you choose any of these options you will need to continue use to sustain the growth. As stopping often results in your hair loss reoccurring and then a stronger dose is needed to gain results once again.
At Hove Hair Clinic we have a very high success rate with our natural approach and hair loss remedies that involve intense stimulation to the follicles. Our treatments not only produce amazing results in both hair growth and condition but they are very relaxing. Each client is sent home with an individual prescription of products to use at home in-between their in house treatments.
Microneedling Treatment for Alopecia Areata
Microneedling is also a great treatment for this form of alopecia and many other hair loss conditions. The tiny needles stimulate fibroblast in the base of the follicle.
As with any condition, the earlier it is correctly diagnosed and treated the better and quicker the results are seen.
Call us on 01273 711140 to book a consultation and take control of your alopecia today.
