Tag Archives: alopecia areata

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Understanding Alopecia Areata

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Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide, causing unpredictable hair loss in small, round patches on the scalp or other areas of the body. While alopecia areata is not life-threatening, it can have a significant impact on self-esteem and quality of life. In this post, we’ll explore the key aspects of alopecia areata, including its causes, symptoms, and available treatment options, to help individuals better understand and manage this condition. Our Offices and Dr. Yazdan specialize in treating patients who suffer from Alopecia Areata and similar auto immune diseases using advanced protocols developed by world renown hair restoration surgeon Dr. Yazdan.

Alopecia areata occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, leading to inflammation and hair loss. The exact cause of this autoimmune response is not fully understood, but genetic factors, environmental triggers, and immune system dysfunction are believed to play a role. Individuals with a family history of autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes, may have an increased risk of developing alopecia areata.

The hallmark symptom of alopecia areata is the sudden onset of round or oval-shaped bald patches on the scalp, typically measuring a few centimeters in diameter. These patches may appear overnight or gradually over a period of weeks to months. In some cases, hair loss may also occur on other areas of the body, such as the eyebrows, eyelashes, or beard. While the affected skin is usually smooth and without any other signs of inflammation, some individuals may experience itching, tingling, or discomfort in the affected areas.

While there is no cure for alopecia areata, several treatment options are available to help manage symptoms and promote hair regrowth. The choice of treatment depends on the severity of the condition and individual preferences. Common treatment options for alopecia areata include:

Corticosteroid Injections: Corticosteroid injections are often the first-line treatment for alopecia areata, as they can help suppress inflammation and stimulate hair regrowth in affected areas. These injections are typically administered directly into the bald patches Dr. Yazdan has a full treatment protocol  for individuals suffering from alopecia areata which includes steroid injections and should be performed immediately.  Local patients can always contact our Newport Beach or Las Vegas locations for treatments.

Topical Corticosteroids: Topical corticosteroid creams or ointments may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and promote hair regrowth in mild cases of alopecia areata. These medications are applied directly to the affected skin and may be used in combination with other treatments for optimal results.

Alopecia areata is a complex autoimmune condition that can present unique challenges for individuals experiencing hair loss. While there is currently no cure for alopecia areata, various treatment options are available to help manage symptoms and promote hair regrowth Such as PRP treatments with ACell offered by Dr. Yazdan at Modena Hair Institute in Newport Beach.

If you want to explore a hair loss solution or if you have any questions or concerns regarding the merits of different hair loss treatments, please contact us at Modena Hair Institute today for more information. At Modena Hair Institute we pride ourselves on consistently providing our patients with the highest standard of custom hair restoration treatment available, directly tailored to their individual needs. Dr. Yazdan is eagerly awaiting your visit or digital consultation. Contact us today!

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

 

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What You Should Know About Alopecia Areata

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For many people whom lose their hair clump by clump, it may seem more like a nightmare than reality. This condition can have a very deep psychological effect on men and women’s lives. It starts with no warning and can be devastating to anyone who must go through this. Some people will get this periodically throughout their life, and some will lose all their hair completely or see patches that appear suddenly and permanently.
Alopecia areata causes a unique form of hair loss different to the more common age-related male and female pattern hair loss and typically strikes before the age of 30. It’s also the most common autoimmune disease – when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, even more common than insulin-dependent diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroiditis.
About 30 percent of individuals who develop alopecia areata find that their condition either becomes more extensive or becomes a continuous cycle of hair loss and regrowth. The most prominent symptom of alopecia areata is patchy hair loss. Coin-sized patches of hair begin to fall out, mainly from the scalp. Any site of hair growth may be affected including the beard and eyelashes.
The loss of hair can be sudden, developing in just a few days or over a period of a few weeks. There may be itching or burning in the area before hair loss starts to occur. The good news is, the hair follicles are not destroyed and in turn, hair can re-grow if the inflammation of the follicles subsides.
The onset or recurrence of hair loss in Alopecia Areata (AA) sufferers is sometimes triggered by:

  • Trauma
  • Viral infection
  • Hormonal changes
  • Emotional/physical stressors

Thankfully, there are treatments that can help regrow hair faster and/or stop hair from falling out. Corticosteroid medicine can be injected into the areas where hair is falling out or missing completely. The injections are done every 4 to 12 weeks. Corticosteroid topical medicine can also be used as an ointment or cream put on the skin. These are often used along with the injections. Immunotherapy medicine is a form of treatment that causes an allergic reaction on the skin – which is what you want. Applying it once a week as a lotion onto the skin of the scalp. Topical Minoxidil is an over-the-counter medicine that helps stimulate new hair growth and slows down balding.
At Modena Hair Restoration we have also had great success with the use of PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma treatments for alopecia areata hair loss sufferers. PRP is an injection of a patients own blood plasma containing a powerful concentration of platelets that deliver an abundance of growth factors to boost healing and hair growth.
SMP or Scalp Micropigmentation may also be recommended at Modena Hair Restoration. Scalp Micropigmentation can be performed on the confined area(s) of balding or the entire scalp, including the areas where you still have hair. This is to ensure that your results not only look natural, but also last a lifetime in case your condition continues to progress in the future. Doing the procedure on the entire scalp can ensure any recurring outbreaks or changes in the patches will all be concealed permanently. This is the most effective and most natural looking solution to alopecia. A fundamental part of Dr. Yazdan’s profession is to improve the quality of life for all his patients. The results of an SMP are life changing for our patients.
The decision on the type of treatment depends on the type of hair loss, extent of changes, general health status, the patient’s age, and his/her motivation. Treatment methods should be chosen individually for each patient after an examination with a hair restoration specialist. At Modena Hair Institute, we provide both surgical and non-surgical solutions for hair loss!

 

For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link 
 
 

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Steroid injections for hair loss

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One hair loss treatment method is steroid injections. This targeted hair loss approach is used on patients suffering from a specific type of hair loss known as alopecia areata.
Alopecia areata is a condition in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles causing hair loss. Much is still unknown about this type of hair loss. What is known is that naturally occurring antibodies are mistaken as foreign antibodies and programmed for destruction.
Individuals suffering from alopecia areata usually present with clumps of hair falling out. This leaves round bald patches across the scalp. Others may experience sudden diffuse thinning across the scalp, while others may experience hair breakage.
It is common for alopecia areata patients to notice their symptoms come and go. The hair loss may be permanent or non-permanent, depending on genetic history factors.
An effective treatment for alopecia areata is cortico-steroid injections. With this type of treatment, steroids are injected directly into and near the balding areas. The steroids boost the immune system’s defensive capabilities and allow the hair follicles to withstand destruction. While this treatment method isn’t always effective, it’s the most common and effective treatment for alopecia areata at this time.
One other treatment for alopecia areata that has shown some effectiveness is Rogaine (minoxidil). Rogaine works to stimulate the hair follicles promoting strength and growth.
If you think you may have alopecia areata, you should meet with an experienced and qualified hair restoration surgeon who specializes in the medical management of hair loss. A simple exam and hair analysis will determine if you have this condition.
Feel free to contact us today and schedule you medical management consultation.

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Stress and hair loss

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Do you suffer from high stress levels?
If so, your stress could be causing your hair loss.
Stress has been linked to 3 main types of hair loss: telogen effluvium, trichotillomania, and alopecia areata.
In patients with telogen effluvium, hair follicles are converted back into the resting phase, which causes the follicles to stop producing and growing hair. Additionally, current hair growth can fall our during brushing and washing.
Trichotillomania is less common and has to do with a stress response wherein patients pull at their hair. Excessive pulling of hair shocks hair follicles and can cause them to stop producing new hair growth.
Alopecia areata is more common and can be caused by many things, not just stress. In a patient with this condition, the immune system identifies hair follicles as foreign bodies and attacks them. This of course, causes hair loss.
If you suffer from any of these 3 types of hair loss, your stress levels may be to blame. If you have just begun noticing hair loss, you may be able to reverse it with stress management and lifestyle changes.
Effective methods of stress management include talk or behavioral therapy, yoga, exercise, meditation, and dedicated relaxation time, just to name a few. Each method works differently for everyone, so don’t give up if one method doesn’t work for you. Keep trying until you find the best outlet for your stress.
Effective stress-minimizing lifestyle changes include a healthy work-life balance, setting boundaries with relatives, friends, and your employer, utilizing public transportation, and establishing a routine.
If you have been experiencing hair loss for some time, your hair follicles have likely died off. Once a hair follicle has died there is no way to bring it back to life. But, all hope isn’t lost. You may be a candidate for hair transplantation. Feel free to read up more on that here.

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What is alopecia areata and do you have it?

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Alopecia areata is one of many types of hair loss. Alopecia areata involves your immune system attacking your hair follicles. This damage causes hair loss.
Much is still unknown about why the immune system attacks your follicles. What is known is that naturally occurring antibodies are mistaken as foreign antibodies and get programmed for destruction.
In a person with alopecia areata, hair loss usually begins with clumps of hair falling out. This leaves round hairless patches on the scalp. Some cases may present with thinning across the scalp. Other cases present with hair breaking off before growing very long.
It is common for individuals with alopecia areata to notice their symptoms come and go. The hair loss can be permanent and non-permanent. The hair loss is more likely to be permanent if there is a family history of the disease or another auto-immune disease, or if the hair loss is extensive.
While there isn’t a cure for alopecia areata, there has been some success with various treatment methods. The most common treatment method is corticosteroid injections in the scalp.
Minoxidil (Rogaine) has also shown to be effective in some individuals with alopecia areata.
If you think you may have alopecia areata, you should visit an experienced and certified hair restoration surgeon. A simple exam and hair analysis will determine if you have the disease.
Here at Modena Hair Institute, we specialize in the medical management of hair loss. We have years of experience treating individuals with alopecia areata as well as other hair loss causing medical conditions. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation.