Are you facing the hair loss problem? Don’t lose your confidence. Explore alopecia areata treatments and hair restoration surgery options. Take control today and know about the best hair transplant clinics.
Understanding Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles and causes hair loss in patchy small circles. It can affect other areas of the body, including the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes and beard if left treated. There is no known cause of alopecia areata but different factors can contribute to alopecia areata like genetics, environmental factors, and immune system dysfunction.
Types of Alopecia
Alopecia have different forms such as:
- Alopecia areata
- Alopecia totalis
- Alopecia universalis
- Traction alopecia
- Androgenetic alopecia
Symptoms of alopecia areata
You can see and feel:
- Sudden round or oval patches of hair loss.
- Nail abnormalities like ridges or pitting in some cases.
- Scalp itching or mild burning sensation before hair loss.
- Regrowth of white or fine hair in affected areas.
- Loss of eyelashes or eyebrows in severe cases.
- Short, broken exclamation mark hairs at the edge of bald patches.
Causes of alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a condition of abnormal immune response that attacks the hair roots mistakenly. Some common contributors can be:
- Genetics or family history
- Chronic stress
- Infected injections
- Lack of essential nutrients
- Thyroid diseases like lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis
- Pollution and exposure to toxins
Treatments for alopecia areata
There is no permanent cure but several clinical procedures can help regrow hair and manage symptoms.
- Topical treatments
- Corticosteroids
- Minoxidil (Rogaine)
- Anthralin
- Immunotherapy
- Essential oils
- Injectable treatments
- Intralesional corticosteroid injections
- Mesotherapy
- Systemic medications
- Oral corticosteroids
- JAK inhibitors
- Immunosuppressants
- Hair PRP therapy
Hair PRP therapy is a method in which your own blood is drawn and processed to concentrate platelets, and injected into the scalp to activate the hair regrowth. This improves natural healing and promotes hair regrowth in cases of alopecia areata.
- Hair restoration surgery
For individuals with long-term hair loss, hair restoration surgery can offer a permanent solution. The two methods of hair transplants are:
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
Alopecia treatment in Pakistan
Pakistan is home to several top clinics which administer alopecia treatment in Pakistan. Best hair transplant clinics in Pakistan specialize in procedures like hair restoration therapies to enhance natural hair regrowth. By consulting with skilled specialists you can reclaim your confidence.
| Things to avoid | Why to avoid it? | Home remedy | How does it help? |
| Harsh products (shampoos and dyes with sulfates) | Cause scalp irritation and lead to hair loss | Aloe vera | Soothes scalp and lessen inflammation |
| Excessive heat styling (blow dryers, curling irons, straighteners) | Weakens the hair follicles and cause shedding | Coconut oil | Deeply hydrates and nourishes hair follicles |
| Unhealthy diet (lack of iron, biotin, zinc) | Deficiency of nutrients can trigger hair loss | Onion juice | Rich in sulfur and supports hair growth |
| Chronic stress | Cause hair loss by worsening autoimmune reactions | Green tea rinse and meditation | Antioxidants in green tea strengthen follicles and meditation reduces stress |
| Scratching and rubbing scalp | Harms follicles and slows down regrowth | Essential oils (rosemary, peppermint, lavender) | Improves blood circulation and lead to hair growth |
| Smoking and alcohol consumption | Restricts blood flow to hair follicles | Healthy lifestyle and hydration | Supports overall scalp and hair health |
How much hair shedding is normal?
Shedding approximately 100 hair daily is normal, but if you notice more than 100, it can be a sign of an underlying problem. To diagnose it:
- Collect the fallen hair over 24 hours.
- Compare it with normal daily shedding (100 hair appear as a small clump the size of a quarter)
- If hair shedding is excessive then consider a skilled specialist for proper assessment and early intervention.
Black dots in hair: Are they a sign of alopecia?
Black dots on the scalp are often an indicator of broken hair due to alopecia areata. These are called cadaver hair and demonstrate active inflammation. If these black dots appear along with hair loss, a dermatologist can confirm alopecia areata and suggest suitable treatments. The conditions which can cause black dots include:
- Fungal infections
- Traction alopecia due to tight hairstyles
- Scalp psoriasis causing flaking and breakage
Diet and nutrition for hair growth
- Protein found in egg, fish, and lean meat helps your body to produce keratin which is a building block of hair.
- Biotin from nuts, seeds and bananas strengthens hair and reduces breakage.
- Iron in spinach, lentils, and red meat keeps your hair thick and prevents excessive thinning.
- Omega-3 fatty acids from salmon and flax seeds deeply nourish the scalp and keep it hydrated and healthy.
- Vitamin D through sun exposure and dairy products supports hair follicles and encourages steady growth.
Alopecia areata can be distressing but with the right approach, it is manageable.
FAQs
- Can genes be the cause of alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is not directly inherited but genetic predispositions can enhance the risk of developing it.
- Are children vulnerable to alopecia?
Alopecia areata can occur at any age even in children this disorder can develop. Some children experience temporary hair loss that regrows while others may have periodic relapses or more severe forms of alopecia.
- Is scalp massage helpful in hair regrowth?
Regular scalp massage can improve blood circulation and support hair regrowth. You can use essential oils like rosemary or peppermint to get better results.
- Is PRP therapy for hair loss effective?
The effectiveness of PRP therapy vairs and it has shown promising results in stimulating dormant hair follicles, improving hair thickness and reducing hair shedding.
- Does alopecia affect the whole body?
There are some forms of alopecia like alopecia universalis which can lead to complete hair loss on the body including the areas such as eyebrows, eyelashes, scalp hair and body hair. But some other forms remain limited to small patches on the scalp.
- Are natural remedies alone cure alopecia?
Natural remedies are usually not sufficient alone for severe hair loss. These remedies can only support hair health.
