May 03, 2022

Treatments for Alopecia and Alopecia Aerota

Alopecia aerota has been at the forefront in the news lately, and here at the Hair Restoration Institute, we’re getting a lot of questions from people about it. Alopecia aerota affects about 6.8 million people in the US – so it’s a big concern for many people who are struggling with hair loss. Fortunately, there are effective hair restoration and hair growth treatments that can work!

What is alopecia? 

Alopecia is the scientific name for hair loss – and it includes hair loss of all types from all causes. 

Is alopecia aerota the same as alopecia?

Although it’s sometimes referred to as simply ‘alopecia’ (especially in the media, after the recent publicity about the condition), alopecia aerota is a specific condition that causes hair loss. Alopecia aerota is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the body’s natural immune system is at the core of the matter. In autoimmune disorders, the body identifies a specific thing as a threat, then uses its immunity to attack it. Unfortunately, these are usually important cells or organs that the body needs, so symptoms begin to appear. 

In alopecia aerota, it’s the hair follicles that are under attack. 

What is the function of hair follicles?

Hair follicles are like tubes in the scalp that are set up to grow hair. At the bottom of the tube, hair cells are formed and bonded together, then pushed toward the surface to create a hair strand that breaks through the surface. Follicles are nourished by nearby blood vessels, and it’s crucial that they receive this healthy flow of nourishment in order to continue making hair cells. 

How does alopecia aerota affect hair follicles?

In this autoimmune condition, follicles are directly attacked by the body’s immune system, so their delicate balance is upset and they can no longer grow hair. People with Alopecia aerota start to notice patchy spots of baldness on the scalp. 

What can I do about alopecia aerota?

In some cases, the hair loss with alopecia aerota is temporary, and hair grows back without falling out again. In this case, some hair growth treatments can help support continued healthy growth. For more permanent cases of alopecia aerota, other treatments may be needed such as hair replacement. 

It’s important to have your hair loss assessed by a professional hair loss expert because they can spot the subtle differences between conditions that cause hair loss. There are multiple causes behind hair loss in general, and identifying these causes is the first step in treatment. 

At the Hair Restoration Institute, we provide a free, discreet initial consultation where we assess your hair loss needs on an individual level, determining the degree of hair loss and the possible causes that can indicate the best treatment. Then, we develop a personalized hair restoration treatment plan that identifies the most effective methods for your individual needs. 

What are some of the treatments for alopecia or alopecia aerota?

Alopecia aerota may respond to several treatments, so it’s important to get your hair loss assessed by one of our hair loss professionals at the Hair Restoration Institute. Depending on the cause of hair loss, your plan for alopecia or alopecia aeorta treatment may contain one or more of the following treatments:

• FUT or FUE hair transplantation. For many people with alopecia aerota, hair transplants may not be the solution if your immune system is still attacking hair follicles – because it may attack the newly transplanted follicles as well. But if your condition is ‘burned out’ and no longer attacking follicles, a transplant may be effective. Transplants are also effective for hair loss due to many other causes, so they may be a part of your treatment plan.

   

• PRP hair loss therapy. Platelet-rich plasma is rich with growth hormones and compounds that can help stimulate hair growth. In this treatment, the medical professional takes a sample of your blood and removes these compounds, and applies them in concentrated form to areas of hair loss – which helps stimulate growth.

   

• Low-level laser therapy. Low-level lasers have a therapeutic effect on follicles, helping restore their health so they can continue to grow hair. 

Other options in your treatment plan might include:

• Custom wigs

• Dermal Lens hair replacement systems

• HRI’s nutritional support and growth serum treatments

   

• and much more!

As soon as you notice hair loss, take action. The sooner you have your hair loss assessed by a professional at Hair Restoration Institute, the sooner you can be on your way to thicker, fuller hair. Make an appointment today for a discreet and free consultation by one of our caring hair loss experts. You can find us at 8030 Old Cedar Ave S Ste 202 in Bloomington, MN, or call 612-588-HAIR (4247) for a private, complimentary consultation.