Hair Conditions
Alopecia
Alopecia is the general term for hair loss and can cover a variety of conditions. It is vital that the correct type of alopecia is identified and treated accordingly. Alopecia can be non scarring or scarring. If it is scarring, the hair follicle will be totally destroyed, with no chance of any hair regrowth in the affected area. Alopecia affects Men, Women and Children, with 2 people in every 1000 in the UK being affected. See the links below for more information about some of the specific variances of Alopecia.
Alopecia Areata
Condition
Alopecia areata is hair loss that appears in patches on the scalp but can also appear anywhere on the body.
Cause
Alopecia areata is caused by a problem with the body’s own immune system where it mistakenly attacks the hair follicle and arrests the anagen or ‘growing phase’ of the hair. The hair growth cycle moves to the telogen or ‘resting phase’ where the hair then sheds quickly leaving bald patches.
Genes can make a person more susceptible to alopecia areata as reported in around 10% – 20% of all cases of the condition. Alopecia areata can occur at any age, although it’s more common in people aged between 15-29 years and affects one to two people in every 1,000 in the UK.
Treatment
Again, the first step in treatment is an accurate and timely diagnosis. In many cases of alopecia areata the hair will grow back in a few months. At first, the hair may grow back finer and white, but over time it should thicken and regain its normal colour. Sometimes alopecia areata will spread and develop into either alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis. Whilst alopecia areata does not have any one set or reliable cure, there are treatments that can be given with varying degrees of success.
Alopecia Totalis
Condition
Alopecia totalis is a loss of all of the hair on the scalp, while the hair in other areas of the body remains.
Cause
Alopecia totalis is an autoimmune condition where the autoimmune system attacks the hair follicles on the scalp, resulting in total hair loss in this area, the eyebrows may or may not be affected, but hair in other areas of the body remains.
Treatment
Sadly, there are no known effective treatments for alopecia totalis, but there are many different supportive options available including; custom made wigs, ready to wear hair systems, fringes and innovative fashionable headwear. Counselling should also be a consideration for those people living with alopecia totalis, to help with the emotional aspects of the condition.
Alopecia Universalis & Alopecia Ophiasisis
Condition
Alopecia universalis is the loss of all of the hair, on the scalp and throughout the rest of the body. Alopecia ophiasisis is a band of hair loss around the hair line, usually to the back of the head, but not always.
Cause
Alopecia universalis is an autoimmune condition where the system attacks the hair follicles across the body, but most specifically in the band around the hair line.
Treatment
There is no known treatment for either alopecia universalis or alopecia ophiasisis but as mentioned with other conditions above, there are now many different supportive options such as wigs and hair pieces.
Alopecia Barbaeis
Condition, cause & treatment
Alopecia barbaeis is a patchy loss of facial hair, usually affecting men. This type of alopecia is a variant of alopecia areata, localised to the beard area which can appear as a single patch or multiple more widespread patches. It is again as a result of an autoimmune condition.
Whilst there is no one single effective treatment for this condition, supportive options such as specialist skin pigmentation techniques to disguise the patches have really progressed recently and become very effective.
Alopecia Mucinosa
Condition, cause and treatment
Alopecia mucinosa is a type of alopecia that results in scaly patches caused by the autoimmune system attacking the hair follicles and causing scaly patches to appear. Unfortunately, there is very little effective treatment for this condition.
Traumatic Alopecia
Condition, cause and treatment
Traumatic alopecia can have multiple causes such as a result of chemical, thermal or traction trauma.
This can include being triggered by certain hair dyes or chemical hair straightening products which have applied too much direct heat onto the hair. If the hair is put under traction or constant tension, it can cause the follicles to be pulled which such force that it sometimes results in permanent hair loss.
Treatment
The first step in treating this problem is to identify the causes of the trauma and to immediately stop any further exposure. If the hair is breaking due to over processing with hair colour, it is best to stop the colour, cut the hair and get it into a good healthy condition with an effective hair care regime using a high-quality shampoo and conditioner.
Heat can be used safely on the hair, but not too often and not at too high a temperature. As a rule of thumb, straightening irons should sit at 180 degrees, and a thermal defence product should always be used in conjunction.
When hair is wet and at its most vulnerable, too much heat on the hair can cause the natural moisture in the follicle to become too hot and it literally explodes causing the hair to break.
Tension can also come from tight hairstyles such as being pulled back into a tight ponytail, hair extensions, weaves, braiding and integrations. The first immediate step is to stop the styling and then manage the hair back to health with shampoo and conditioner.