Alopecia Areata Causes & Treatment

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. This is a disease that causes hair to fall out in small smooth round patches. Alopecia areata rarely causes total hair loss, however it can prevent hair from growing back. The condition is not life threatening, does not cause pain or illness, but can become a cause of embarrassment for many. Hair loss and regrowth varies from person to person.

The main symptom of alopecia areata is loss of hair in small, round patches on the scalp. Other forms of alopecia include alopecia totalis, when the hair loss starts happening across the entire head and alopecia universalis, which causes total loss of all body hair.

Causes of Alopecia Areata:

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy cells which are meant to protect against foreign objects such as bacteria, viruses, and other germs. In autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakes part or parts of the body as foreign. This causes some mild inflammation which leads in some way to hairs becoming weak and falling out to cause the bald patches. If you have alopecia areata you also have a slightly higher than average chance of developing other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disorders, pernicious anaemia and vitiligo.

Treatment of Alopecia Areata

There is no known cure for alopecia areata, but you may be able to stop the loss of hair, or even grow it back naturally or with the aid of medication. However, it is important to note that there are no drugs approved to treat alopecia areata.

Medical treatment

Certain treatments can stimulate hair growth; however none can prevent further hair loss or cure the disease. Minoxidil can be rubbed into the scalp to stimulate hair growth. Other therapies include corticosteroid creams, steroid injections or photochemotherapy, a treatment that uses a combination of oral medication and ultraviolet light.

Alternative therapies

People who do not wish to opt for medications go for aromatherapy, acupuncture, and herbal supplements and vitamins. Treatments do not work the same for every patient. Therefore, you may need to try more than one treatment to see a difference. Keep in mind that hair regrowth may only be temporary. Ultimately some patients do not even need hair loss treatment since their hair grows back on its own, while others never see improvement despite trying every option.

Hair accessories:

Hair accessories like extensions and wigs can help you to cover those bald patches which can lead to embarrassment. These extensions are easy to manage and do not require professional assistance. Once bought, these extensions can be used for a number of times without any issues. Human hair extensions blends with your hair perfectly giving them a natural look. You can style your extensions as per your wish.

Low Lever Laser Light Therapy:

Low Level Laser Therapy is one of the most effective and advanced hair loss treatments available helping men and women suffering from hairloss to achieve fuller and thicker hair. Being a non-invasive procedure, this is a quick therapy which requires no cuts or recovery time. This is the major reason that this therapy received a thumbs up from many users.

Deep Conditioning on Dry, Wet or Shampooed Hair?

1. Oil (pre wash treatment)

Apply oil for the purpose of conditioning dry hair as water repels oil and if your intention is to use

oil to penetrate the hair then your hair needs to be dry.

2. Water based Conditioner

Here, we are referring to a regular water based conditioner (intensive mask or rinse it out) that is

coated on hair extensions with the purpose of repairing damage, softening or moisturizing.

The best way to get maximum amount of conditioner to absorb and then potentially penetrate is :

1. Shampoo with a anionic (negative) surfactants product

2. Apply conditioner with cationic (positive) surfactants

Q: Why use a shampoo first?

As hair carries a negative charge when you shampoo, it will absorb the conditioner better as the

positive charge in the conditioner is attracted to the negative charge on the hair surface. For the

purpose of getting the best result from a shampoo, use surfactants with a charge.

Q: Can you apply the conditioner first and then shampoo?

Your process:

-Deep Condition

-Rinse

-Shampoo

-Rinse

-Rinse out conditioner

- Leave ins, oils, styling products etc

Q: Should you rinse off the shampoo?

Some like to buffer their shampoo by directly adding a conditioner to it before rinsing it off. Some

also apply the conditioner before the shampoo. For both these cases, the negative charge of the

shampoo interferes with the ability of conditioner to stick to the surface.

Two outcomes:

1. Conditioner does not stick to the hair extensions and is washed away

2. The shampoo and the conditioner bind together and create a build up on the hair extensions

Q: Can you deep condition dry hair?

Yes, but remember the rules about using shampoo afterwards. Apply shampoo first and rinse your

hairextensions before applying a conditioner to get the best result.

Does Laser Light Hair Therapy Work For Men?

Hair loss is not only disappointing, but also intimidating. People who suffer from hair loss lose self-confidence and often ostracize themselves. Many hair loss treatments emerged in the market for people to retain their appearance and confidence. However, one of the most advanced and latest solutions available today is Low Laser Light Therapy (LLLT). This therapy is widely used among women and people often wonder does laser light hair therapy work for men? Well, the good news is LLLT is a hair loss treatments available for both men and women and can give fuller and thicker hair to men.

Laser Hair Therapy is among the newest innovative advancements in medical technologies. It is a non-chemical, non-invasive and non-surgical medical approach in the cosmetic therapy for hair loss, hair thinning, as well as other scalp problems. This treatment for hair loss has been clinically proven and verified safe as no negative effects have been recorded up to now.

Laser Hair Therapy causes no pain or damage to the scalp. There is no cutting or burning sensation. Laser light stimulates the hair follicles, increases blood flow and cellular metabolism within the scalp. The increase in blood circulation provides the required oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicle. This light energy boosts the process that repairs weak hair follicles. Blood flow is increased and the destructive effects of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, (DHT), are blocked. DHT is what makes the hair follicles stop making new hair.

While laser therapy for hair loss does stimulate the living follicles that have been weakened so that they can once again regrow the hair. One of the great benefits is that patients can immediately return to their normal schedule and resume their regular activities. This treatment is designed for any individual suffering from hair loss, or anyone who may have just started noticing the first signs of hair loss, men and women alike can benefit from this new advancement in hair restoration.