September is Alopecia Awareness Month, so let’s dive into this hair loss issue. If you or someone you know is experiencing circular patches of hair loss on the scalp, alopecia may be the cause. This condition differs from regular male- or female pattern baldness, and it may be related to other health issues. Alopecia is surprisingly common, with over 6 million people in the United States diagnosed.
By shining a spotlight on alopecia — what it is, who it affects, and how it can be treated — we can reduce the social stigma and misunderstandings that often accompany this condition.
What Is Alopecia?
Alopecia areata, or alopecia for short, is an autoimmune condition that results in hair loss. Some people with alopecia inherit it from their parents, but not all do.
Causes
Symptoms occur when the immune system attacks normal hair follicles by mistake. When follicles sustain injury from these autoimmune attacks, they drop the hair they’re growing. This results in hair loss that can look like tiny, coin-shaped patches on the scalp, or it could cause noticeable, body-wide hair loss.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of alopecia areata, as you’ve likely guessed, is hair loss. Depending on which subtype of alopecia you have, you’ll notice this loss in different areas of the body. In general, you may see:
- A sudden loss of hair in a specific area, such as a round, bare patch on the scalp or in the beard
- Smaller patches becoming larger or joining together to create bigger areas of hair loss
- Cycles of loss and regrowth
- A progression of symptoms or flare-ups worsening over time
- Occasionally, nail changes like ridges or pits
- In rare cases, total hair loss including body hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes
Why Is Alopecia Awareness Important?
If you’re familiar with these symptoms, you can recognize alopecia’s signs early — in yourself or others. And in doing so, you can seek appropriate care sooner. Spreading alopecia awareness may also help with the following:
- Increasing the general population’s understanding of the condition
- Normalizing patterns of hair loss that are not male-pattern baldness
- Finding targeted hair loss solutions for those with alopecia
- Advocating for further alopecia research
Types of Alopecia
Alopecia doesn’t affect everyone the same way — and sometimes, it can affect more than a person’s scalp hair. Educating others about these different subtypes of alopecia may help spread awareness and sensitivity about the condition:
- Alopecia totalis: While this condition indicates complete hair loss on the scalp, it may or may not be related to an autoimmune response. Researchers don’t know exactly what causes it.
- Alopecia universalis: This is the name for total body hair loss. It’s also likely caused by an autoimmune response.
- Alopecia barbae: This condition is also autoimmune and similar to alopecia areata, but it affects beard hair. It’s possible to have this type at the same time as alopecia areata involving scalp hair.
- Alopecia ophiasis: While this is a subtype of alopecia areata, it causes distinct hair loss in a band pattern on the sides or back of the scalp rather than in circular patches.
Many types of alopecia involve an unhealthy immune response, though some don’t. For example, if you had a baby within the past year or experienced a period of extreme stress, you might notice an extreme thinning and “shedding” of your hair called telogen effluvium. The missing hair typically grows back over time, but you may need help managing your hair restoration.
Similarly, if you’ve noticed a receding hairline around your forehead and you wear your hair in a ponytail or bun every day, there’s a chance you’re developing traction alopecia. This indicates that your hairstyle is too tight and the constant pressure may be causing the hair to fall out. However, restoring your hair health may not be as simple as switching to a different style.
While many people with alopecia struggle to regrow their hair, others go through frustrating cycles of loss and regrowth. Discovering which type of alopecia you have can assist in hair loss prevention and hair restoration.
Who Does Alopecia Affect?
Alopecia can affect anyone. There are forms of the condition, such as traction alopecia, that affect a certain subset of the population—those with tight hairstyles, for example—but alopecia areata and other autoimmune forms do not discriminate between gender, race, or age.
Overall, alopecia may affect women slightly more than men, and in general, people of color may be more susceptible to the condition. Most people with alopecia notice their first symptoms before reaching middle age. If you have alopecia that started before you were 10 years old, there’s a good chance that you have one of the more severe or progressive subtypes.
Researchers are unsure what triggers or causes alopecia, but there’s a significant genetic component: At least 20% of people with alopecia have a family member with the disease. Because alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition, it’s often associated with other autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and vitiligo.
Can Alopecia Be Cured?
There isn’t a cure for alopecia. Symptoms may come and go depending on your stress level, the time of year, and your overall health. Some people choose to ignore milder symptoms or find ways to mask them. For example, someone with alopecia areata may simply shave their head and lean into their new look. For others, especially those who are emotionally attached to their hair, the loss of hair can be upsetting.
Fortunately, there are many hair loss treatments for alopecia — though not all of them are legitimate. Be careful not to spend money on dubious miracle cures, herbal treatments, or mysterious balms you find on the internet. If you want to regain thicker hair, minimize bald spots, or simply prevent further hair loss caused by this condition, it’s worthwhile to talk to a hair regrowth consultant to create a targeted, research-backed treatment that’s tailored to your goals.
What Hair Loss Solutions Work for Alopecia?
Regardless of which type of alopecia you have, it’s possible to restore healthy-looking hair through a variety of processes. Consider what HairClub offers for those experiencing all stages of alopecia.
Hair Prevention and Regrowth
Thinning hair or patchy spots can be concerning, but there are ways to stimulate new growth and prevent further hair loss. Low-level laser treatments that can be performed at home help improve hair quality and increase microcirculation, while topical, FDA-approved medication can maximize your scalp’s potential for hair regrowth.
Hair Replacement
Moderate amounts of hair loss often respond well to replacement rather than transplantation. These nonsurgical options, which range from defining hairlines with micropigmentation to adding fullness to thinning hair, aim to replace lost hair in a single session before cutting and styling it to your desire.
Hair Transplant
If you’ve lost all of your hair and you’re sure it’s not growing back, natural-looking hair transplant options are available. These treatments range from minimally invasive procedures such as a follicular unit extraction, which involves transplanting individual hair follicles, to a follicular unit transplantation, which utilizes skin grafts to cover larger treatment areas.
Apolecia Awareness
Spreading Alopecia Awareness is important as it helps destigmatize the condition and normalizes different patterns of hair loss. Hair loss, after all, is a universal condition that affects people of all genders, ages, socioeconomic statuses, and ethnic backgrounds.
Book Your Consultation Today
If you feel that you’re engaged in a losing battle with hair regrowth, you’re not alone — and you have options. If you fit the profile described here or you experience hair loss after having been already diagnosed with another autoimmune condition, it may be worth asking your doctor or dermatologist about alopecia. In the meantime, there’s no reason to delay your hair restoration journey: Book a consultation with HairClub and learn more about our time-tested hair loss solutions today.
