Tackling alopecia head on

There are alopecia treatments and cover-ups available, however at this stage there is no cure. Our understanding of alopecia simply hasn’t reached a point where a viable remedy with high efficacy can be found. Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that can affect almost anyone. Alopecia is not specific to any age group, gender or ethnicity. Men, women and children from any ethnic background can get alopecia. The nature of autoimmune diseases is that your immune system attacks your own body. Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack its own hair follicles, causing the hair to be lost. The extent of hair loss differs for everyone. For some, the condition is mild, affecting only small areas and for a short period of time. In mild cases, it is normal for the hair to eventually grow back. For others, alopecia can last a lifetime and cause total hair loss on the head, face or body. Once the hair is lost, if your alopecia is particularly aggressive, it may never grow back.

Types of alopecia

There are several strains of alopecia, each with their own characteristics and symptoms. Although they all result in hair loss, exactly how that hair loss is experienced varies depending on the type and severity:

Alopecia Areata (AA)
Alopecia Totalis (AT)
Alopecia Universalis (AU)
Androgenetic Alopecia Scarring
Alopecia (Cicatricial Alopecia)
Anagen Effluvium
Telogen Effluvium
Alopecia Barbae
Traction Alopecia

Alopecia areata, traction alopecia and alopecia barbae are the most common forms of abnormal alopecia (except androgenetic alopecia, see below), whilst others are quite rare. .Click the links above for more information about each alopecia type.

What alopecia treatments are available?

Corticosteroids

Drugs with anti-inflammatory properties that are injected, taken in pill form or applied as a cream, ointment or foam.

Topical Immunotherapy

The scalp is applied with chemicals to provoke an allergic reaction, which sometimes makes the hair grow back.

Minoxidil products

A DHT-blocking lotion or foam used for the treatment of standard hair loss. Sold under many brands like Rogaine or Kirkland as a lotion or foam.

Scalp micropigmentation

A specialized tattooing technique based on pointillism. Does not treat alopecia but provides an effective camouflage.

Hair systems and wigs

A last resort for long term alopecia sufferers, sometimes a hair system is the only remaining option for those not comfortable with their appearance.

SMP For Alopecia Areata

The problem with all the treatments for alopecia areata is that the results are varied and that they don’t prevent future balding. Scalp micro pigmentation (SMP), meanwhile, provides consistent results and renders further balding moot. That’s because no matter how much hair you lose, your head tattoo will make it look like you just got a fresh buzzcut! Best of all, you don’t have to change your life in any way because getting a scalp tattoo takes only two to three sessions. After that, you’re good to go, even if you’re hair keeps going too! Contact us and speak to an expert scalp micropigmentation practitioner today.