Alopecia Treatments

Hair loss knows no gender nor age. It affects men and women, young and old. Its effects are not just limited to the physical body; it is also known to have a negative impact on a person’s psyche.

According to reports, those experiencing alopecia also develop low self-esteem. Some even experience bouts of depression. These psychological effects were observed not just in children and young adults, but also in middle-aged people who are well-aware that hair loss is an inevitable part of the ageing process. Furthermore, just like most women, men also struggle to cope with alopecia. In fact, studies show that the number of men seeking hair loss treatment steadily grew over the years.

Undeniably, losing your hair can be psychologically debilitating. Do not despair, though! There are several effective alopecia treatments available nowadays.

Here at the Universal Hair & Scalp Clinic, our hair loss treatment protocol involves the use of clinically-proven medications and procedures. In addition, these are carefully tailored to ensure that they effectively address the needs of the patients. This is because there is no single treatment for hair loss.  What works for one person may not work for another. Furthermore, there are different reasons why people excessively shed their hair. Identifying the root cause of the hair loss is essential in determining the best treatment plan.

How Is Alopecia Diagnosed?

Coming up with an accurate diagnosis requires expertise. This is why, if you are worried about hair loss, see to it that you consult a qualified professional like a dermatologist. Hair loss experts have the knowledge and tools necessary to assess your hair loss condition, determine its cause and effectively treat it.

Typically, the first step in the diagnostic process is knowing the patient’s medical history and lifestyle. Since heredity plays a role in some hair loss conditions, getting the patient’s family history is also needed. Next, a physical examination of the scalp is done to identify the pattern of the hair loss. This is also necessary to assess the extent of the alopecia.

To ensure correct diagnosis, our clinic uses Trichosan – a state-of-the-art technology that magnifies the hair and scalp. With these enlarged images, our experts are able to properly and accurately assess the condition of the scalp as well as the hair’s thickness and density.

Aside from a physical exam, the doctor may also do a pull test to know the stage of the shedding process. Meanwhile, a blood test may also be requested to find out if an underlying medical condition is causing the hair loss. In some cases, a scalp biopsy may also be done.

How Is Alopecia Treated?

As mentioned earlier, our clinic uses medications and procedures that are proven to be effected in treating alopecia. Certain medications prevent further hair loss by blocking the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone plays a major role in hair loss, shrinking hair follicles and preventing the production of healthy hair. There are also medicines which focus on improving blood flow around affected follicles to promote hair regrowth.

Another non-invasive hair loss treatment we use involves a device designed to stimulate hair follicles through a positive electric charge in an electrostatic field. This hair loss treatment procedure is safe and painless. Furthermore, it has shown exemplary results, especially in treating androgenic alopecia or pattern baldness. Studies have shown that it has almost 97% efficacy, preventing the progression of hair loss in most cases. In some patients, it even promoted hair regrowth.

We are also equipped to handle cases involving trichotillomania. Our clinic is a registered care provider of The Trichotillomania Learning Centre. In treating this hair pulling disorder, we employ behaviour modification or habit reversal techniques to address the root of the problem. We also prescribe medications to help strengthen the hair and promote hair growth in the affected areas.

Determining which treatment protocol to use depends on different factors such as the patient’s age, type of hair loss condition and the severity of the hair loss. When it comes to alopecia, early intervention is the key to preventing the problem from progressing rapidly. So, if you suspect that you have a hair loss problem, please see a hair loss consultant immediately. The earlier you seek professional help, the better your chances are of successfully managing this problem.

Please bear in mind that there is no miracle cure for alopecia that can bring back lost hair in a week or two. Proven medications for hair loss require at least three to six months of continued use to achieve a favourable outcome. Furthermore, continuously taking or applying these medications is needed to maintain the good results. Once you stop using them, your hair may stop growing back and your hair loss may progress faster.

Lastly, please be forewarned that not all advertised hair loss medications are clinically tested and effective. Moreover, be wary about products that claim to cure alopecia. Certain hair loss conditions like androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata have no cure. Most of the tried and tested treatments for hair loss are formulated to stimulate hair regrowth or slow down its progression.

Having alopecia can be emotionally and psychologically distressing, but help is available. With early intervention and professional help, you can regrow lost hair and slow down the progression of the hair loss.

To learn more about effective alopecia treatments, consult our experienced dermatologist and trichologist. Please call us at +353 (0)1 6793618 and schedule a consultation today!