Is There a Cure for Alopecia?

Have you started to notice that your hair part is widening, your scalp is extra itchy, and more strands than usual are falling out during the day? If so, you might be dealing with alopecia, the medical term for hair loss.

While alopecia can sometimes be subtle, in other cases, hair may start falling out in clumps and result in total hair loss. Alopecia can also have a number of causes, from genetics to a vitamin deficiency to an autoimmune disorder. And how it’s treated depends on not only what’s causing it, but also what your personal preferences are. 

At Thomas Dermatology, our team diagnoses and treats alopecia on a regular basis. In this month’s blog, we discuss common causes of alopecia and the treatments we offer for each one. 

Genetics, or a family history of alopecia 

One of the top causes of hair loss is simply genetics. A family history of alopecia can make you more predisposed to developing it yourself, which is often referred to as male-patterned or female-patterned baldness. For men, it often starts as a receding hairline, and for women, it begins as thinning hair at the crown of your scalp. 

There are quite a few treatments available for this type of hair loss, and most of them can be incredibly effective, especially if the hair loss is caught early. These treatments include topical creams or foams that you apply a few times a day, or oral medications. Both of these often require indefinite use to maintain results. 

We also utilize platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to reduce the inflammation that often triggers hair loss.  

Hormone fluctuations

Common things that can cause massive shifts in hormone levels include pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), birth control medications, and thyroid issues. When estrogen or androgen levels aren’t where they need to be, hair loss can occur as a result. 

When alopecia is the result of abnormal hormone levels, it often resolves on its own once your hormones have leveled out. But to encourage optimal hair regrowth, use shampoos and conditioners that are geared toward fine hair and will help it grow back stronger and thicker. 

Alopecia areata 

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes your immune system to attack your hair follicles, causing the hair all over your body to fall out, even your eyebrows and eyelashes. 

This condition can be a little trickier to treat, but some prescription medications can help with hair regrowth, as can PRP injections. 

Poor diet or vitamin deficiencies 

Extreme diets that are very low in protein and lack vital nutrients such as iron, zinc, or any of the vitamins A, B, C, D, and E can trigger hair loss. Getting a blood test done to measure the amounts of these nutrients in your body can provide information on whether or not a vitamin deficiency is leading to hair loss. 

Taking dietary supplements should help replenish lost strands. 

Get expert-level care for alopecia 

If you’ve been affected by hair loss, don’t wait to see our team for effective treatment. We can help narrow down the cause and recommend a treatment plan that will work best for you. 

To get started, schedule an appointment by calling any of our offices located in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada, and Lake Havasu City, Kingman, and Bullhead City, Arizona, or by using our online booking feature today.