Absolique Hair Health Clinic at Zash Fine Hairdressing Brisbane

ALOPECIA MEANS HAIR LOSS   

Alopecia is the term used to describe many types of hair loss and thinning hair problems.

Alopecia can affect hair from the head or body, sometimes to the extent of baldness.

An example is Androgenic Alopecia, the genetic hair thinning condition that causes hair loss in men and women.

Alopecia can also be caused by compulsive pulling of hair, Tricotillomania.

Alopecia can also be the consequence of voluntary hairstyling routines such as ponytails or braids, Traction Alopecia.

Alopecia Areata Monolocularis describes baldness in only one spot and may occur anywhere on the head.

Alopecia Areata Multilocularis refers to multiple areas of hair loss.

Alopecia Areata may be limited only to the beard, in which case it is called Alopecia Areata Barbae.

In some cases, alopecia is due to underlying medical conditions, such as iron deficiency where the hair loss may be more diffusely over the whole scalp, in which case the condition is called Diffuse Alopecia.

Loose Anagen Syndrome also comes under the heading of Alopecia.

The most common type of Alopecia is a patchy hair loss called Alopecia Areata (AA).

ALOPECIA AREATA IS ‘PATCHY HAIR LOSS’ and is the focus of the content on this page.

Alopecia Areata is usually identified by hair loss in one or more round spots or patches on the scalp.

Alopecia Areata is a medical condition and typically presents with sudden patchy hair loss that appears on the scalp, but can affect other areas of the body.

Alopecia Areata occurs in people who are apparently healthy and have no skin or hair disorder.

Initial presentation of Alopecia Areata most commonly occurs in early childhood, late teenage years, or young adulthood, but can happen to people of all ages.

Because Alopecia Areata causes bald spots on the scalp, especially in the first stages, it can also be referred to as 'spot baldness'.

The first symptoms of Alopecia Areata are small, soft skin, bald patches. The patches can appear in many shapes, but are usually small and round.

Alopecia Areata most commonly affects the scalp, eyebrows or beard, but can occur on any hair-bearing part of the body.

There may be different areas of the scalp or body affected by Alopecia Areata hair loss, and regrowth, in the same body, at the same time.

Alopecia Areata may also go into remission for a period of time, or permanently.

In cases with a greater number of Alopecia Areata patches, hair loss patches may overlap and progress to Alopecia Totalis or, in rare cases, Alopecia Universalis.

The area of Alopecia Areata hair loss has been reported to tingle or be slightly sensitive when the hair loss is active.

The hair tends to fall out over a short period of time, with an active patch of Aploecia Areata identified by typical exclamation point hairs present at the perimeter of the hair loss patch.

Exclamation point hairs are hairs that become narrower along the length of the strand closer to the base, producing a characteristic "exclamation point" appearance.

In most cases of Alopecia Areata, hair loss begins with a small number of patches of hair loss and hair grows back after a few months or up to a year.

In cases of current Alopecia Areata, hair will pull out more easily along the edge of the existing patch.

Alopecia Areata is an Autoimmune Disorder where the follicles are being attacked by the body's immune system which suppresses or stops hair growth.

Autoimmune means there is a problem with the body's normal immune system response. Normally, the immune system helps protect the body but with an Autoimmune Disorder, the immune system cannot tell the difference between harmful substances and healthy ones. The result is an overactive immune response that attacks otherwise healthy cells and tissues. The underlying cause of Autoimmune Disorders is not fully understood and can occur at any age.

There is evidence that T cell lymphocytes cluster around the effected hair follicles, causing inflammation and subsequent hair loss.

Another reported sign of Alopecia Areata is pitting of the finger or toe nails due to aberrant nail formation because keratin forms both hair and nails.

Alopecia Areata is not contagious and seems to occur more frequently in people who have other affected family members, suggesting that genetic factors may contribute.

Alopecia Areata is more likely to occur in people who have relatives with autoimmune diseases.

Alopecia Areata patients also tend to have a slightly higher incidence of asthma, allergies, atopic dermal ailments, and even hypothyroidism.

Unknown environmental triggers such as emotional stress or a pathogen is thought to combine with hereditary factors to cause Alopecia Areata.

Episodes of Alopecia Areata before puberty predispose one to chronic recurrence of the condition throughout life.

Absolique Trichologist has successfully stabilized Alopecia Areata clients with a combination of therapies and acceptance from the patient of the condition and its causes.

If the affected Alopecia Areata area is small, it is reasonable to observe the progression of the hair loss patch, as the problem can spontaneously regresses and the hair may grow back.

In cases of Alopecia Areata where the hair loss is severe, there has been no conclusive successful treatment that consistently works for all clients.

Treatment from your Absolique Trichologist for Alopecia Areata will be focused on your general health, pH levels of the body and alkalizing, body balancing and building on the immune system, whilst ensuring the scalp and hair bulb are healthy, and correcting the hair cycle ready for regrowth in addition with stimulation of the scalp through topical applications and laser light therapy.

Most successful treatment of Alopecia Areata combines many modalities, with varied results from client to client.

Hair may grow back and then fall out again later.

Alopecia can certainly be the cause of psychological stress, because hair loss can lead to significant appearance changes, individuals may experience social phobia, anxiety and depression.

Alopecia Areata breaks all the rules of research.

What works for one client may not work for another; however, significant results are achieved in most cases.

Additional treatment can be sought from a reputable dermatologist who may recommend and administer steroid injections, or a steroid cream.

Steroid injections are commonly used in sites where there are small areas of hair loss on the scalp or especially where eyebrow hair has been lost.

Another medication used is Minoxidil applied topically, although the reasons why this medication produces results is not completely understood.

It is IMPORTANT to get advice on the use and application of Minoxidil before purchasing any over the counter or online product

Oral corticosteroids may decrease the hair loss, but only for the period during which they are taken, and they typically have adverse side effects.

In terms of adapting to Alopecia Areata as opposed to treating in an effort to cure, there are also many options available.

Effects of Alopecia Areata are mainly psychological due to the loss of self image from the hair loss.

Hair replacement options are often used by those with Alopecia, particularly Alopecia Totalis, where hair is lost from the entire scalp.

Wigs and hair replacement solutions designed for women are also available at many levels of development and technology.

Wig caps now include suction mechanisms to keep them firmly attached to the scalp and can be so light weight; you won't even know you are wearing it!

Hair Replacements can be human hair or synthetic hair, and can be cut and styled to your hair style dream.

Alopecia Areata left unchecked, or if the disease does not respond to treatment, can result in complete baldness of the affected area, Alopecia Totalis.

Alopecia Totalis is only reported in 1-2% of Alopecia Areata cases.

When the entire body suffers from complete hair loss, it is termed Alopecia Universalis.

Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis are relatively rare.

Diagnosis and understanding of the mechanisms of Alopecia  Areata, Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis are most important before deciding on a treatment.

As a Trichologist of 16 years, I have encountered many forms of Alopecia and achieved success with treatment when the client was willing to accept the condition and participate in the solution.

Even if you have lived with Alopecia for a long time, you will find a difference in my approach if you are open to accepting that the cause and solution comes from within.

Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia can also cause scarring damage to the scalp.

When the hair follicle is closed at scalp level, it indicated the bulb has died, and hair re-growth will not be possible.

In cases of permanent scarring Alopecia, nonsurgical hair replacement solutions outlined above will enable you to achieve a natural looking head of hair.

Contact your Absolique Trichologist and book a Hair Health Check, find out how different Trichology treatments can be for Alopecia Areata and determine where your Alopecia is at now to answer the following questions:

Is your hair follicle open?

Is your hair bulb alive?

Is re-growth possible?

Hope is never lost, learn about many alternative methods which may overcome and disguise Alopecia for the short and long term.

This work is copyright 2011. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process, nor may any other exclusive right be exercised, without the permission of Carolyn Evans Absolique Hair Health Clinic Trichologist at Zash Fine Hairdressing 23-26 Gallery Level Brisbane Arcade 160 Queen St Mall Brisbane 07 3229 3242