Hair loss advice

There are more than a million alopecia sufferers in Britain. Read on for essential advice

With so many people suffering from alopecia in Britain and many more suffering in silence, there is still no set cure for this condition, which for many has devastating effects.

The word alopecia comes from the Greek 'alopex' which is literally translated as 'fox's disease'. However, today alopecia areata is defined as hair loss in patches.

Alopecia is defined as a hair loss disease that effects men, women and children. The onset of hair loss is often sudden, random and frequently recurrent. While the disease itself is not damaging to the person's health, coping with hair loss can prove challenging.

Epidemology

Alopecia affects approximately 1.7% of the population, including more than four million people in the US, with both men and women being equally affected. About 25% of patients have a family history of the disorder.

It's reported that 90,000 people in the UK are affected by alopecia - though these figures are under estimated as many people do not report their suffering.

What causes Alopecia? |

The exact cause of alopecia is presently not known, although it is generally agreed that it is a disease of the autoimmune system. In addition, there is believed to be a genetic component in some cases and some studies have shown a link with stress.

In alopecia, the affected hair follicles are mistakenly attacked by a person's own immune system (white blood cells), possibly due to chemicals called cytokines, resulting in the arrest of the anagen (hair growth) stage and a move to the telogen (resting) phase where the hairs are then abruptly shed.

Types of Alopecia

Alopecia comes in several different forms. Listed below are the types of alopecia and the characteristics of each type.

• Alopecia Areata (AA): Used to describe hair loss occurring in patches anywhere on the body.
• Alopecia Totalis (AT): Total loss of the hair on the scalp.
• Alopecia Universalis (AU): Total loss of all hair on the body.
• Alopecia Barbie : Loss of facial hair (for a man) especially in the beard area.
• Alopecia Mucinosa A type of alopecia which results in scaley patches.
• Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA): Also known as male pattern baldness. It is a thinning of the hair to an almost transparent state, in both men or women. It is thought to be a hereditary form of hair loss.
• Traction Alopecia: Traction alopecia is usually due to excessive pulling or tension on hair shafts as a result of certain hair styles. It is seen more often in women, particularly those of East Indian and Afro-Caribbean origin. Hair loss depends on the way the hair is being pulled. Prolonged traction alopecia can stop new hair follicles developing and lead to permanent hair loss.
• Anagen Effluvium : This hair loss is generally caused by chemicals such as those used to treat cancer. Initially it causes patchy hair loss, which often then becomes total hair loss. The good news is that when you stop using these chemicals the hair normally grows back (usually about 6 months later). Other drugs also can cause hair loss. Many medicines used to treat even common diseases can cause hair loss.
• Scarring Alopecia : A form of alopecia which leaves scarring on the area of hair loss.

Treatments

There is no cure for alopecia and no universally proven therapy to induce hair re-growth and sustain remission, however, there are treatments. The effectiveness of treatments tends to vary and something that works well for one person may not work well for another.

If you find one treatment doesn't work don't assume others won't either. However, bear in mind for some people none of the treatments are effective.

People with less than 50% hair loss Corticosteroids, Dithranol, DPCP, Retin A / Tretinoin, Topical Minoxidil / Regaine, Rogaine or Headway, Zinc

People with over 50% hair loss Immunosuppressive drugs, Irritants (Anthralin), PUVA, Systematic Corticosteroids, UVB

Alternative Treatments Massage

When will my hair grow back?

The vast majority of people suffering from alopecia experience some degree of re-growth. The growing cells that supply the hair follicle remain active, so the potential for hair to re-grow is always there. There is a possibility of complete re-growth.

But you may also experience the condition worsening or improving at any time. It is unpredictable, which is one of the most difficult aspects of the condition - nobody can tell you with certainty what the pattern of your alopecia will be.

So, at the extremes of the condition, you may have a single patch with complete re-growth within a short time and no further ocurrences; or you may, as in a small minority of cases, experience all your body hair being lost with no re-growth at any time.

It is most common to experience hair loss and re-growth over many years. The re-growth can be any texture and colour, from fine-downy hair that's white, to hair identical to your original hair colour and texture.

Trichology - what is it?

Trichology is the science of the structure, function and diseases of the human hair. Clinical trichology is the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the human hair and scalp.

The Institute of Trichologists

The Institute of Trichologists, which was founded in 1902, is the foremost professional association for trichologists in the world, the largest provider of trichology training in Europe (and possibly the world) and, at over 100 years old, is the longest established body of its type anywhere in the world.