Understanding Hair Loss and Alopecia

If you are experiencing hair loss, you are not alone. Hair loss is a common problem that affects both men and women of all ages. Did you know that hair loss is one of the most common problems faced by men and women around the world?

In fact, according to the World Health Organization, about 50% of men will experience some degree of hair loss by the time they reach 50 years old. Lesser known is that even 40% of women experience some form of hair loss in their lifetime.

While baldness is often associated with old age, it can also affect people of any age. There are many different causes of hair loss, but today we will be discussing alopecia, its causes and potential treatment options available at Hair Restoration Centers.

What are the Causes of Alopecia?

Alopecia can be caused by a variety of factors including, but not limited to genetics, stress, hormonal changes, medical conditions, and autoimmune diseases, or just plainly a natural sign of aging. Alopecia can also be caused by certain medications and hair products.

If you are experiencing hair loss, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

• Hormonal Changes – To explain alopecia resulting from hormonal changes, we first must explain what DHT is. Dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT, is derived from normal testosterone, a male dominant hormone. When DHT attacks hair follicles, they become less strong, resulting in fallout.
• Stress – Stress on its own is a general umbrella term for significant distress in your daily life caused by numerous things such as change in medication, physical trauma, nutrient deficiency or major life changes. These factors typically lead to an increase in stress, which is detrimental to hair growth.
• Autoimmune Diseases – Another common cause of alopecia is autoimmune diseases. In an autoimmune disease, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that results in patchy hair loss on the scalp.
• Medical Conditions – There are many different medical conditions which can lead to hair loss. These include, but are not limited to, thyroid problems, anemia, lupus, and diabetes.
• Natural Causes – Lastly, naturally, as humans age, we lose hair. Though there are ways to prevent natural hair loss, we must recognize that this is an extremely normal and common occurrence for many.

Alopecia vs. Balding

Contrary to popular belief, alopecia and balding are not the same thing. Alopecia is the sudden onset of hair loss, while balding is a gradual process. Balding usually affects older men and often leads to complete baldness.

Alopecia can affect people of any age and does not necessarily lead to complete baldness. Alopecia is an umbrella term for general hair loss, whereas male pattern baldness obviously occurs in those who were assigned male at birth.

Male pattern baldness also happens in assigned patterns, hence the name. These patterns can be compared on the Norwood Scale to determine what stage of male pattern baldness any specific person may be in. Typically, it’s easier to treat and prevent male pattern baldness the earlier on it is caught.

Surgical Treatment Options For Hair Loss

What treatment options are there for hair loss? There are a number of different treatment options for hair loss. The most common form of treatment is hair restoration surgery, which is often used to treat male pattern baldness.

At Hair Restoration Centers, we specialize in surgical hair transplantation procedures that deliver permanent, natural-looking results. Our board-certified surgeons have over 20 years of experience helping patients restore their hair and confidence.

• Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) – Also known as the “strip method,” this procedure involves removing a strip of healthy hair from the back of the head. The follicular units are then divided into individual grafts which are transplanted to areas of hair loss at the top and front of the scalp.
• Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) – This modern technique offers advantages over the traditional strip method. FUE enables our surgeons to harvest finer hair from the nape of the neck, often for use around the frontal hairline or even for facial hair transplant procedures.

Both surgical options provide long-term solutions for hair loss, with results that look completely natural. Our surgeons will recommend the best technique based on your specific needs, hair type, and lifestyle preferences during your consultation.

Additional Options For Treating Hair Loss

In addition to surgical treatments, there are a few additional things you can do to help prevent hair loss or promote hair growth.

• Change Your Diet – Eating a healthy diet is important for your overall health, but it can also have an impact on your hair. Be sure to include plenty of protein, iron, and omega-three fatty acids in your diet.
• Reduce Stress – As mentioned earlier, stress can be a major contributor to hair loss. If you are under a lot of stress, try to find ways to relax and de-stress. This may include exercise, yoga, or meditation.
• Use Supplements – There are a number of different supplements which can help promote hair growth. These include biotin, saw palmetto, and ginseng.

If you are not ready for surgical treatment options at the moment, another solution that some may find useful are medical wigs. They can be a good option for alopecia or male pattern baldness sufferers. More information on medical wigs for alopecia can be found here.

Our Comprehensive Consultation Process

At Hair Restoration Centers, we understand that deciding to undergo hair transplantation is a significant decision. That’s why we’ve developed a structured three-step consultation process:

1. Photo Evaluation – Submit your photos for a professional assessment of your hair transplant requirements. Our entire team will provide support and coaching through the experience.
2. Patient Advisor Consultation – Within 24 hours of submitting your photos, one of our dedicated Patient Advisors will contact you to review your photos and discuss what will be required to achieve your goals.
3. Surgeon Consultation – Your Patient Advisor will schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified hair transplant surgeons, who will review all procedure details with you before performing the surgery.

This thorough process ensures you receive personalized care and all your questions are answered before making any decisions.

Treat Your Hair Loss Now

If you or a loved one are struggling with alopecia or any sort of hair loss, know that there are many options available to you. Though it can seem like an embarrassing topic, many more people than you may think also suffer from hair loss.

It is extremely normal and although it can have a negative impact on self-confidence, Hair Restoration Centers prides itself on offering all possible avenues to patients based on their own specific experience with hair loss.

With 27 convenient locations throughout the United States and over 100,000 patients served, our board-certified surgeons have the experience and expertise to help you achieve natural-looking results. Don’t wait to address your hair loss – contact Hair Restoration Centers today for a free consultation.