Alopecia Inside Out
A new season is upon us, and much like the seasons, as time goes on, we change. As we await the Spring time, unfortunately many of us are experiencing Fall. Recently, a number of my clients have had significant shedding and hair loss, more popularly known as Alopecia. Alopecia is a simple word, with a simple definition, yet it presents itself in more ways then one. This article will cover three types of alopecia resulting from what goes on inside of the human body.
Androgenetic Alopecia is a genetic form of hair loss in both men and women. Androgens are hormones that help regulate the growth cycle of hair, and sex drive, but we will keep our focus on hair loss. When DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), androgen hormones converted from testosterone, are at high levels around the hair follicles, they shrink, and hair loss follows. In men, this is known as male pattern baldness. In women, this is known as female pattern baldness. Other than DNA, Androgenetic Alopecia in men is associated with "medical conditions, including coronary heart disease and enlargement of the prostate...prostate cancer, disorder of insulin (such as diabetes and obesity) and high blood pressure (hypertension)." In women, AGA is in connection to a hormonal imbalance known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS symptoms are irregular menstrual cycles, acne, weight gain, and ironically, excess hair everywhere else on the body (hirsutism).
CCCA is a complex scalp condition, if you suspect you may have it, please see your local dermatologist. If discovered early enough, your hair may be able to regrow before scarring destroys your follicles. Treatments are practical, like hairstyling with minimum to no tension, and medical, like diabetic cream and injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). As mentioned before, Minoxidil, a popular hair regrowth medication that can purchased over the counter, can be used to treat CCCA, but this alone cannot "prevent further hair loss." Dermatologist are more like to prescribe multiple medications and action steps to, like adding corticosteroids to your regimen. (American Academy of Dermatology).
Telogen Effluvium is temporary, non-scarring, hair loss due to the excessive shedding of resting (telogen) hair after some shock to the system (DermNet). Acute telogen effluvium can effect anyone of any age or gender. Chronic telogen effluvium "tends to present in otherwise healthy women 30 - 60 years of age." Every scalp has active hair (anagen), approximately 85% of the scalp, and resting hair (telogen), approximately 15% of the scalp. Hair grows actively for about 4 years, and then rest on average of 4 months. New anagen hairs then push out the telogen hair, which is what we call shedding. Losing hair strands everyday is completely normal. However, a drastic change in your bodies system can cause the androgen hairs to abruptly change into telogen hairs.
- - Childbirth: Post Partum Hair Loss
- - Physiological neonatal hair loss
- - Acute or Chronic Illness
- - Surgical Operation
- - Accident
- - Psychological Stress
- - Unusual diet or Nutritional Deficiency (i.e. iron deficiency)
- - Certain Medications
- - Endocrine Disorders (Hypothyroidism; - Hyperthyroidism)
- - Discontinuing the Contraceptive Pill
- - Overseas Travel (resulting in jetlag)
- - Skin Disease affecting the scalp (i.e. Erythroderma)
- - Excessive Sun Exposure
Fortunately, telogen effluvium can be corrected by being gentle with your hair, treating hormone and underlying scalp disorders, keeping a nutritious diet packed with lots of fruits an vegetables, and balancing abnormalities in the body like your thyroid, iron levels, vitamin B-12, and folic acid. (DermNet). This is not the case for every form of alopecia. The reality is there is no cure fore any form of alopecia. The best thing any person can do is catch it early and treat it consistently.
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Jontaiiii! I swear girl you have so much amazing information everytime!!!! This is actually so helpful i have recently had a client come in with some alopecia spots which was awesome to learn to work with, but your blog with seriously teach me how to identify and take care of my cleints that have alopecia.
ReplyDeleteJontai, this is amazing! I feel like alopecia is something that so many people in the industry are scared of only because of how little they know about it. This is so interesting and gives a great place to start educating on the different disorders of the scalp!
ReplyDeleteThis is so important to share this information. Forever this was not talked about and so many people felt shame for having it. Thank you for sharing and continuing to make this an important topic.
ReplyDeleteHey Jontai! I love the fact that you talked about this, because most people aren't willing to talk about diseases. It's important to be educated on diseases and how to handle them, whether we are the ones dealing with it or helping others. Alopecia is no joke thats for sure.
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