Understanding Female Alopecia Causes and Concerns

What happened on the 26th of March 2022? The 94th Oscar Academy Award hosted on that date staged a viral moment that reverberated both anger and empathy simultaneously. As we all know that violence is never an option, one of our favorite and talented actors, Will Smith, in defense of his wife’s distress, smacked Chris Rock, a well-known comedian, during that award show. Some doubted this moment to be an act. However, it did show a real-life retaliation for a joke made at the expense of a condition known as Alopecia Areata that recently affected Jada Pinkett Smith. This put the limelight on the Causes of alopecia in females.

Alopecia Areata, a condition that does not have any treatment to date, had affected Jada Smith. Because of this, she carried a shaved head to that show. Chris Rock made a joke out of it at the Oscars when she expressed her uneasiness with the joke on her face. Will Smith, who couldn’t stand to see his wife in pain, stepped onto the stage and gave Chris Rock a tight slap. A joke is never fun until it hurts someone’s feelings, especially when the joke is on someone’s ailment. In this blog, I will be explaining in detail Alopecia, the Causes of Alopecia, and the possible treatments.

Hair Loss in Females:

Many human beings assume that hair loss mostly affects men. However, it’s far envisioned that more than 50% of ladies will revel in significant hair loss. The major type of hair loss in ladies is female-pattern hair loss (FPHL), influencing approximately one-third of the female population worldwide.

Causes of alopecia in females:

Any female may suffer from hair loss. The commonly seen reasons are:

1. postpartum
2. age
3. chemotherapy and other medications,
4. hairstyles that pull on the hair (like tight ponytails or tight braids) or use harsh chemicals on their hair and
5. menopause

What is alopecia?

The loss of hair, especially from the head, that either happens naturally or is caused by disease is known as alopecia, also known as baldness.

Alopecia can be divided into two disorders.

1. Condition in which the hair follicle is normal, but the hair growth cycle is abnormal.
2. Conditions in which the hair follicle is damaged.

Is alopecia genetic?

The inheritance of alopecia is uncertain because more than one genetic and environmental element has its role. Overall, the hazard of growing up in the same circumstance is more for first-diploma relatives (including siblings or children) of affected individuals than in the general population.

Types of alopecia:

Androgenic alopecia: This is a patterned hair loss common to both men and women. For women, this condition results in the thinning of hair, usually not affecting the hairline. While in men, this can lead to complete or partial baldness. Your genes and your surroundings appear to play roles in inflicting androgenic alopecia.

Alopecia areata: Alopecia areata (patchy baldness) is an autoimmune sickness that reasons your hair to pop out in clumps, taking a shape similar to a quarter (round or oval). The amount of hair loss is uneven for everyone, i.e., the loss may be excessive or low. In a few cases, relapse is common after a recovery. In others, hair grows back for good.

There are three main types of alopecia areata:

• Patchy alopecia areata. In this type, which is the most common, hair loss happens in one or more coin-sized patches on the scalp or other body parts.
• Alopecia totalis. This condition makes you lose all the hair on your scalp. It is sometimes referred to as the severe condition of Alopecia areata.
• Alopecia Universalis. In this type, which is rare, there is a complete or nearly complete loss of hair on the scalp, face, and rest of the body.

Things to avoid when you have alopecia areata:

When you lose hair on your scalp, shield your pores and skin from the elements. During a warm climate, you could practice sunscreen or put on a soft headband or hat as this reduces the threat of sunburn of pores and prevents skin cancer. As the climate gets cold, maintain regional heat with a hat or a headband. Try to put on a loose bun while tying the hair, preventing hair loss. Consider yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to assist hair growth. Bear in mind that a few hairstyling strategies and merchandise may be harsh on your hair, resulting in extra harm and extra hair loss.

Traction alopecia: At times, continuous pulling on your hair can cause damage to the hair follicles. Putting stress on the hair by a tight ponytail, buns, dreadlocks, hair extensions, weaves, or braids can cause this condition. Early-stage traction alopecia, when is it too late? Here are a number of the outstanding symptoms and signs of traction alopecia: Headache because of tightness to your hairstyle, Small flesh-colored or white bumps in your scalp, round follicles withinside the early stage, Redness of scalp, Tenderness, itching, and scaling of your scalp after carrying a weave or a Prolonged braid irritation at the scalp or folliculitis Scalp sensitivity after untying your hairstyle Gradual and symmetric hair loss, typically across the front and aspect hairlines. Act immediately upon seeing these symptoms; otherwise, you may never find out when it is too late.

Cicatricial alopecia: This is a “scarring” kind of alopecia. It entails irritation that destroys hair follicles. The destroyed follicles are replaced through scar tissue, resulting in everlasting hair loss within the area. Sometimes the situation brings on signs like itching, pain, and a sensation of heat.

How to know if you have alopecia? (Alopecia Symptoms)

The primary and typical symptom of alopecia is hair loss. You may also notice:

Small bald patches on your scalp or different elements of your body. Patches may also get large and develop collectively into a bald spot. Hair grows returned in a single spot and falls out in another. You lose a whole lot of hair over a quick time, More hair loss in bloodless weather, Fingernails, and toenails end up red, brittle, and pitted

Treatment for Alopecia:

Corticosteroids: These are anti-inflammatory capsules that are prescribed for autoimmune diseases. They may be given as an injection into the scalp or different areas. They also can be delivered as a tablet or rubbed at the pores and skin as an ointment, cream, or foam. The drawback is that it might take a long term to work.

Topical immunotherapy: This is used when there’s lots of hair loss or if it occurs more than once. Chemicals are implemented on the scalp to supply an allergic response. If it works, this response is honestly what makes the hair develop back. It additionally causes an itchy rash and commonly needs to be repeated in numerous instances to hold the brand new hair growth.

Minoxidil (Rogaine): This treatment on the scalp is already used for sample baldness. It commonly takes approximately 12 weeks earlier than you spot growth, and a few customers are disenchanted with the results. Read differently around which kinds of alopecia are probably to reply to minoxidil. Other remedies for alopecia areata consist of medicines that are now and again used for various autoimmune disorders. These drugs have differing quantities of achievement in regrowing hair.

Alopecia Home Care: Apart from medications, there are different methods you could use when you have alopecia areata. Wear wigs, hats, or scarves. The lower your hair loss and could guard your head against the scorching sun. Reduce stress on hair due to external factors. Although there is no scientific proof on how personal issues cause alopecia, exercising regularly and trying out positive acts also seem to improve hair growth or reduce hair loss. Telogen effluvium, or any other hair loss shape, can also be brought on through external stress.

Hair Transplantation: This one another method people around the world opt for. There are mainly two famous hair transplantation methods – FUE & FUT. They are both a method of grafting healthy hair follicles to areas lacking hair or facing hair thinning.

Conclusion:

As we all know, hair symbolizes physical strength and virility. Hair is a known companion for a woman that helps her spread her charm and confidence. Hair Loss, on the other hand, affects these factors invariably for both men and women. Though prevention is better than cure, there are some fascinating remedies to help regain the lost lustrous hair.

If you are looking for a treatment that produces a long-lasting effect, hair transplantation is the best option. If you search for the best hair transplant clinic in Melbourne, our clinic is the right place. Our chief Dr. Vikram Jayaparakash is Australia’s most sought-after hair transplant expert, with over a decade’s experience in FUT and FUE hair transplant.