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Dealing with Hair Loss: Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia, Your Questions Answered

TL:DR Summary

• Alopecia is a medical term for hair loss. It can affect any part of the body and have different patterns and degrees.
• Alopecia has many types and causes. Some of them are androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, alopecia universalis and traction alopecia.
• Alopecia can be diagnosed and measured. There are different methods to identify and classify the type, severity and extent of hair loss.
• Alopecia can be treated and prevented. There are various options to stimulate hair growth, reduce hair fall and improve hair quality.
• Alopecia treatments have different effectiveness and side effects. Some of them are medications, supplements, topical products, devices and procedures.
• Alopecia treatments require consistency and patience. It can take months or years to see noticeable results and maintenance is essential.

Introduction to Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia

Welcome to the hair-raising discussion on Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia! Hair loss can be a sensitive topic, but don’t let it get you down. Whether you’re noticing thinning hair, receding hairline, or bald spots, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll be tackling your burning questions on Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia to help you better understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment options. So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the hairy details of hair loss!

To start off, here’s a simple a table showing the characteristics of Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia:

Characteristics	Alopecia Areata	Androgenetic Alopecia
Cause	Autoimmune disease	Genetic inheritance
Age of Onset	Any age	Usually after puberty
Pattern of Hair Loss	Patchy hair loss	Gradual hair thinning
Hair Loss Location	Scalp, face, and body	Crown and temples
Rate of Hair Loss	Sudden onset	Slow and progressive
Regrowth Potential	Spontaneous regrowth	Unlikely to regrow
Treatment Options	Corticosteroids, Minoxidil	Finasteride, Minoxidil
Side Effects of Treatment	May include skin thinning, bruising, or change in pigmentation	May include sexual dysfunction or decreased libido

What is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia Areata: An Overview. Alopecia areata is a condition that causes hair loss in small patches, which may be initially undetectable but can eventually become obvious. The condition occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles, leading to hair loss. Hair loss can occur suddenly on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and face, as well as other parts of the body. It can also develop gradually and recur after years between episodes.

Prevalence and Causes. Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune skin disease affecting as many as 6.8 million people in the U.S. with a lifetime risk of 2.1%. Hair follicles remain alive in alopecia areata, and hair can regrow at any time. It is considered a “polygenic disease,” which means that both parents must contribute several specific genes for a child to develop it. Therefore, most parents will not pass alopecia areata along to their children. Studies have shown that with twins who share all the same genes, there is only a 55% chance that if one has alopecia areata, the other will also have it. This suggests that environmental factors may also contribute to the development of alopecia areata.

Severity and Regrowth. Alopecia areata can cause total hair loss, known as alopecia universalis, which may prevent hair from growing back. Even when hair does grow back, it is possible for it to fall out again. The extent of hair loss and regrowth varies from person to person.

What are the Symptoms of Alopecia Areata?

Understanding Alopecia Areata. Alopecia Areata is a type of hair loss that can occur in any location and is different for everyone who has it. Here are some important points to understand about this condition:

Symptoms and Diagnosis. There is no way to predict the pattern of hair loss and regrowth or how severe it will be.

• Alopecia areata can start at any age, but many people develop it during childhood or teenage years.
• The only way to be sure you have alopecia areata is to make an appointment and get a diagnosis from a physician.
• Common symptoms of alopecia areata include bald patches on the scalp, beard, or other areas of the body, and in some cases, the nails may also be affected.

Prognosis. About half of people with alopecia areata see their hair grow back within 12 months without treatment.

• When the hair grows back, it may never fall out again.
• In some cases, the hair loss may be more extensive, and hair may not grow back on its own.

It’s important to keep in mind that alopecia areata can be a stressful and challenging condition, but there are treatments available that can help manage the symptoms. It’s likewise possible to have unpredictable cycles of hair loss and regrowth for many years.

• Little, round (or oval) spots of hair loss on the scalp, beard area of the face or other locations of the body with hair.
• Hair loss and regrowth at the same time in various areas of the body.
• Considerable loss of hair in an extremely short period of time.
• Loss of hair that’s mainly on one side of the scalp, instead of both sides.
• ” Exclamation point” hairs that are narrow at the base/next to the scalp.
• ” Stippling” or “Pitting” (rows of tiny damages) on the fingernails.

What are the reasons for Alopecia Areata?

Understanding the Causes of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is a condition that results in hair loss, and its causes are thought to be related to the body’s immune system. Here’s what you need to know:

Autoimmune Condition

• Alopecia areata is considered to be a systemic autoimmune condition.
• The body attacks its own hair roots, causing inflammation and hair loss.
• T cell lymphocytes cluster around affected roots, causing inflammation and hair loss.

Immune Privilege

• Hair follicles in a normal state are believed to be protected from the body’s immune system.
• A breach in this immune privilege state is considered the cause of alopecia areata.

Genetics

• Alopecia areata is not contagious.
• It occurs more frequently in people who have affected family members, suggesting genetics may be a factor.
• Studies have identified at least four areas in the genome that are likely to contain genes associated with an increased risk for alopecia areata.

How to identify Alopecia Areata?

Doctors are typically able to identify alopecia areata fairly easily by taking a look at signs. They might look at the degree of loss of hair and examine hairs from affected areas under a microscopic lense. If, after an initial medical examination, the physician is not able to make a medical diagnosis, they can perform a skin biopsy. If they need to dismiss other autoimmune diseases, they might perform a blood test.

What about Alopecia in Women?

Alopecia in Women

Hair loss can affect both men and women, but it can present differently in women. Here’s what you need to know:

Causes of Hair Loss in Women

• Alopecia in women can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal changes, stress, and certain medical conditions.
• The most common type of hair loss in women is Androgenetic Alopecia, which is caused by genetic factors and hormonal imbalances.
• Women may also experience hair loss due to pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause.
• Other types of alopecia that may affect women include Alopecia Areata, Telogen Effluvium, and Traction Alopecia.

Impact on Women

• Hair loss can have a significant impact on a woman’s self-esteem and confidence.
• It’s important for women to seek medical advice if they are experiencing hair loss to determine the underlying cause and explore treatment options.

What is Androgenetic Alopecia?

Understanding Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia is a common form of hair loss that affects both men and women. Here’s what you need to know:

Male-Pattern Baldness

• In men, androgenetic alopecia is also known as male-pattern baldness.
• Hair is lost in a distinct pattern, starting above both temples and receding to form an “M” shape.
• Hair also thins at the crown, often leading to partial or total baldness.

Female-Pattern Baldness

• The pattern of hair loss in women with androgenetic alopecia is different than in men.
• Women experience hair thinning all over the head, and the hairline does not recede.
• Female-pattern baldness rarely causes total baldness.

Medical Conditions Associated with Androgenetic Alopecia

• Androgenetic alopecia in men has been associated with several medical conditions, including coronary heart disease, prostate cancer, and disorders of insulin resistance (such as diabetes and obesity).
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) has also been linked to androgenetic alopecia in men.
• In women, androgenetic alopecia is associated with an increased risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• PCOS is characterized by a hormonal imbalance that can lead to irregular menstruation, acne, excess hair elsewhere on the body (hirsutism), and weight gain.

What are the causes of Androgenetic Alopecia?

Understanding the Causes of Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic Alopecia is the most common type of hair loss that affects both men and women. Here’s what you need to know:

Genetic and Hormonal Factors

• Androgenetic Alopecia is caused by a combination of genetic and hormonal factors.
• People who have a family history of Androgenetic Alopecia are more likely to develop the condition.
• Androgens, the male hormones that are also present in women, play a role in the development of Androgenetic Alopecia.
• In people with a genetic predisposition to the condition, androgens can bind to hair follicles and cause them to shrink, resulting in shorter, finer hair.
• Over time, the affected follicles may stop producing hair altogether.

Other Contributing Factors

• Age, certain medications, and medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also contribute to Androgenetic Alopecia.
• Nutritional deficiencies and environmental factors such as exposure to pollutants or UV radiation may also play a role in the development of this condition.

How to treat Alopecia?

The unbiased evaluation of treatment efficacy is extremely difficult and spontaneous remission is unforeseeable, however if the affected location is covered, the hair might regrow spontaneously in most cases.

Few treatments have actually been well assessed. A 2008 meta-analysis of oral and topical corticosteroids, topical ciclosporin, photodynamic treatment, and topical minoxidil revealed no advantage of hair development compared with placebo, specifically with regard to long-lasting benefits.

For more severe cases, current research studies have actually revealed promising results with the private use of the immunosuppressant Methotrexate or adjunct utilize with corticosteroids. However, as relapse of the condition might happen long-lasting treatment is suggested.

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Is HairGrow™ Ultimate Hair Loss Treatment Backed By Science?

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Microneedling for Scalp

• Case Study 1 (2013) concluded that the group which combined Microneedling with Minoxidil application saw a significant hair growth as compared to the minoxidil-only group.
• Case Study 2 (2014) concluded the boosting effect of microneedling with respect to new hair follicle stimulation in patients with androgenetic alopecia who were poor responders to conventional therapy.

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

• Case Study 3 (2013) concluded that 47% of the patients’ hair growth occurred in 7 weeks earlier for the group with LLLT treatment compared to the group without.
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Are There Before and After Photos of the Treatment?

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Reason 1: Wellaholic Offers Comprehensive Hair Regrowth Services and Expertise

Wellaholic offers different types of hair regrowth treatments for your hair regrowth needs. Our hair regrowth packages can be broken down into the following categories:

• HairGrow Hair Regrowth Plan
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  • Microneedling for Scalp helps treat hair loss and promote hair regrowth.
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• Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
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Reason 2: Wellaholic Has Over 2000 Genuine Customer Reviews & Testimonials

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• Over 2000 Verified Customer Reviews. Wellaholic has over 2000 verified positive reviews from our customers in Singapore and beyond.
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