Know About Alopecia Areata Latest Treatment for Baldness in 2022

People around the world suffer from a variety of genetic hair loss-related conditions. Some of these include androgenic alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Hair Loss), Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia, and others. All of these disorders have some underlying genetic background - they are inherited across generations.

In the U.S alone, more than 6.8 million people suffer from Alopecia areata. In most cases, people with alopecia areata can expect their hair to be mostly or fully lost by their late 40s. Alopecia areata generally shows up suddenly over a few days in the early or late 20s and can affect people of all races and ethnicities. Though there is no known cure for alopecia areata, people suffering from it are often known to make a full spontaneous recovery without any treatment as well. But this is seen in very few cases.

What Is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata is a genetic condition that causes hair to fall out in small patches around the size of a quarter. For most people, the hair loss may not be more than a few patches, but in some cases, it can lead to the complete loss of hair on the scalp (alopecia totalis) or, in extreme cases, the entire body (alopecia Universalis).

What Causes Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata falls in the category of conditions known as autoimmune diseases. In autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune system attacks the body’s cells itself, mistaking them for some kind of foreign object.

In the case of alopecia areata, the body’s immune system attacks the area in and around the hair follicles. This causes the hair follicles to weaken and the hair strands to fall out.

Being a strictly autoimmune disease, alopecia areata can be inherited from a family member. It is estimated that up to 25% of people suffering from alopecia areata also have a family member with the same condition.

Often a person being treated for a critical illness like cancer may also experience alopecia areata. Possible reasons include radiation and heavy cancer medication side effects. This kind of alopecia areata is reversible once the individual has stopped the said therapy.

There are some illnesses whose symptoms include alopecia areata. These diseases include asthma, hay fever, atopic dermatitis, thyroid disease, vitiligo, and Down syndrome. Research has shown that people suffering from any of these illnesses may experience some form of alopecia areata.

About 50% of all patients are known to recover from alopecia areata within 12 months. However, some may experience multiple recurrences of the disease. Around 1 in 10 people will further develop alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis in the future.
Alopecia areata may also attack the fingernails and toenails, and sometimes these changes are the first sign that the condition is developing. Some of the possible signs include rough nails, thinning and splitting, white spots, and dents on the nails.

How to Treat Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata, often being genetic, does not have a definitive cure. Once hair is lost; however, some forms of treatment that may be suggested by physicians can help hair re-growth.

The most common treatment for alopecia areata is powerful anti-inflammatory drugs called corticosteroids. These medications are also known as immunosuppressants. Such medications are generally administered through local injections, topical ointments, or orally.

Other medications, including Minoxidil, Anthralin, SADBE, and DPCP, are also prescribed to patients suffering from alopecia areata. These medications can only help with the re-growth of healthy follicles and cannot reverse bald patches that have already formed.

A new series of studies suggest the use of photochemotherapy and provides potential treatment options for patients unwilling or unable to use the above-mentioned or other invasive therapies.

Some cultures recommend rubbing onion or garlic oil, green tea, almond oil, rosemary oil, honey, or coconut milk into the scalp. While none of these supposed remedies can cause harm, their effectiveness is also not backed up by research.

However, as traditional treatments for alopecia areata offer limited results, using such remedies for treatment are not advised as they may be harmful in some cases.

A few ways to cover up a bald patch include the use of wigs, hair weaving, and hair patches. Wigs may not be preferred by some because they can impart an awkward appearance. Hair weaving and patches require regular upkeep to maintain a natural look.

Does Alopecia Areata Happen to Men Only?

While alopecia areata does occur in both men and women, it has been observed through research that women are more prone to suffer from the condition.

Research is still being conducted using gender-based studies to determine the differences in the disease among men and women. Most research in this field has shown women outweigh men by 2:1 in the occurrence of alopecia areata. It has also been found that men experience the onset of the disease in childhood when they have a family history of the same. Women generally start showing symptoms of alopecia areata in adolescence, may also have nail symptoms, and are likely to be suffering from an autoimmune disease like thyroid disease.

Conclusion

If you are suffering from alopecia areata and are looking for expert guidance on possible treatment options, Advanced Hair Studio can help you decide on the future course of action.

Advanced Hair Studio offers over 50 years of experience in medical and cosmetic hair restoration procedures that are trusted by celebrities across the globe. A visit to an Advanced Hair Studio outlet will afford you a thorough hair checkup, which includes a root check, follicle health check, and includes tips to take care of your existing hair.

For alopecia areata, the studio can offer you strand-by-strand cosmetic therapy, which is their most advanced cosmetic hair restoration therapy. You can also opt for Advanced Laser Therapy that aims to protect your existing hair.

In order to help you maintain your hair better, Advanced Hair Studio also offers a Hair Fitness Program, which includes a hair thickening shampoo, hair thickening serum, and a hair regrowth supplement.

Visit your nearest Advanced Hair Studio today to get a thorough consultation and solve your hair problems.