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ALOPECIA AND HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

Not every hair loss is alopecia, but due to genetic heritage or aging and some other factors alopecia occurs. It happens in a few days and hair falls out in some areas that can be easily seen. Mostly, people under 40 have alopecia and the main reasons for alopecia are not discovered yet. However there is research for the factors of autoimmune system disorders. The most common question is whether a hair transplant applied for alopecia. In this blog you can have a review of both alopecia and hair transplantation.

What Is Alopecia?

Alopecia is a type of hair loss. Mainly alopecia is seen towards men. Not only a lair loss on the scalp but it is hair loss on eyebrows or in other parts of the body.

The Cause Of Alopecia

Contrary to thoughts, alopecia has no cause due to stress but it is a characteristic disease. The shocking part is, it happens so fast in a few days. The appearance is not good as the hair is falling out partially. Long hair can cover it. However, it may be more difficult for men to hide it. The cause of alopecia can be heredity so called androgenic alopecia. Anagen effluvium or telogen effluvium can cause alopecia too due to illness such as cancer, stress menopause, pregnancy. Fungal infection on the skin can also result in hair loss too. There is no one reason for alopecia but a different factor.

Types of Alopecia:

There are 3 types of alopecia. These are Alopecia areata, Alopecia totalis and Alopecia universalis.

Alopecia areata: If you have a sudden and partial hair loss, it is alopecia areata. Because it is unpredictable, it may emotionally affect your daily life. If your family member has alopecia areata, then it is possible that you have the same type of hair loss.

Alopecia totalis: If you have a large amount of hair loss and almost you lost all the hair on your scalp, it is alopecia totalis. In other words it is one step further of alopecia areata. Again the cause is family heredity, or failure of the immune system. It was no longer related to stress but more about unbalanced body functions. According to the researchers, hair follicles act mistakenly and lead to hair fall out.

Alopecia universalis: So if you have one step further of alopecia totalis and also lose your eyebrows and eyelashes together with hair loss, then it is called alopecia universalis. It is emotionally hard to continue normal life. It is better to get group counseling or therapy to live with more comfort.

Any type of alopecia is hard to handle and some home remedies such as acupuncture or aromatherapy are tried for alternative cure. However, these are not scientifically proven; they also have no negative effects. If you are suffering from these types of alopecia, you should always keep in mind the followings;

protect your scalp from direct sun and use high SPF sunscreen
Avoid too much pressure on your head
Keep warm your scalp
Wear sunglasses and protectors if you have alopecia universalis

Can I Have a Hair Transplant When I Have Alopecia?

There is no miracle product for alopecia treatment. However, some options are available for hair loss. In fact the hair follicles are alive even if your scalp is in bad shape and there might be a possibility of regrowing your hairs. But in some period of time they can be inactive.

The recent treatment apart from using anti-inflammatory drugs, like corticosteroids or photochemotherapy or Diphenylcyclopropenone, hair transplantation is a way to solve the hair loss problem. Most doctors suggest steroid injection to support the immune system. However, these alternative methods have a successful result on some patients but not all of them. So, hair transplantation is another alternative, but most cases are done for those who have alopecia areata to move from hair area to bald area. The hair transplant can be applicable for alopecia areata but after some time, due to the autoimmune system it is risky to have hair loss again. Who knows, it might fall out 6 months later or 10 years later but one should take the risk of the hair transplantation operation. It is always good to search and discuss the alternatives with a surgeon who is knowledgeable and experienced in side effects.