Alopecia

There are several types of alopecia:

• Androgenic alopecia

  This type of alopecia most often affects men. It occurs due to the negative effects of male hormones on the hair follicle. Since women also have male hormones, it also occurs in women, especially during hormonal changes (after childbirth, during menopause, etc.).
  So, the hormone testosterone affects both male and female hair equally, which depends on the genetic predisposition of the follicle, i.e. how sensitive it is to the hormone.
  

• Alopecia areata

  Alopecia areata causes single or multiple oval-shaped patches of hair loss, most often on the scalp or other parts of the body. More severe forms can lead to complete baldness.

• Telogen effluvium

  This type of hair loss causes hair to thin out over the entire scalp and leads to baldness. It is usually a sudden and complete loss of hair. This condition causes hair to enter the resting phase (telogen phase) prematurely and then fall out, preventing hair from growing back. It can occur due to nutritional deficiencies, certain medications, hormonal changes, or exposure to high levels of stress. It can especially occur if a woman has polycystic ovary syndrome, after giving birth, or during menopause when estrogen levels drop.

• Universal alopecia (Alopecia universalis)

  People affected by this type of alopecia lose all body hair. In addition to aesthetic problems, loss of hair in the nose and around the eyes also represents a health risk, because they have the function of protecting the mucous membrane from external influences.

• Total alopecia (Alopecia totalis)

  In this form of alopecia, there is total hair loss, but body hair remains intact. Alopecia totalis occurs in two forms - as sudden and abrupt hair loss or as a gradual condition that begins with patchy hair loss (like Alopecia areata) and eventually leads to complete hair loss.

• Ophiasis

  This is a variant of alopecia areata in which hair loss occurs in a wavy pattern around the entire head.

• Alopecia due to hair pulling

  If hair is pulled too tightly in ponytails, braids, or other types of hairstyles, damage to the hair follicles and roots can occur, which can eventually lead to hair loss. A subtype of this alopecia is Chignon alopecia – hair loss on the top of the head caused by pulling the hair into a tight bun. This type of hair loss sometimes affects ballerinas who regularly wear very tight buns.

• Trichotillomania

  This is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder in which the person pulls out their hair, which usually leaves isolated patches without hair.

• Folliculitis

  Folliculitis is a bacterial infection that causes irritation of the follicles, leading to sensitivity and hair loss.

• Psychological complications

  Hair loss, especially if it is visible, can significantly affect self-confidence and self-perception, causing feelings of insecurity.

• Hair loss on other parts of the body

  In some forms of alopecia, such as alopecia areata, in addition to hair on the head, there may be hair loss on the eyebrows, eyelashes, and other parts of the body, which can have additional aesthetic and psychological consequences.
  

• Skin infection

  If a person starts to pick or pull their hair due to itching, irritation, or stress caused by hair loss, it can cause skin damage and an increased risk of infection, especially if there is an open wound or irritation.
  

• Increased sensitivity to the sun

  Hair loss can increase the scalp's exposure to the sun, which can lead to sunburn and skin damage. People suffering from alopecia should be careful and use sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
  

• Tendency to autoimmune diseases

  Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks its own hair follicles. Sometimes this disorder can be associated with other autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disease, vitiligo, type 1 diabetes, etc.
  

• Aesthetic changes

  Changes in hair appearance, such as thinning or complete baldness, can affect how a person feels about their body, which can cause additional psychological and social problems. Depending on the severity of the condition, people may feel the need to wear wigs, hats, or other accessories.
  

• Alopecia is caused by stress

  Although stress can trigger temporary hair loss (such as in telogen effluvium), alopecia itself is not caused by stress. The main causes of alopecia can be genetic, autoimmune, hormonal, or disease-related.

• Hair loss only affects men

  Alopecia can affect both men and women. Although genetically determined alopecia (androgenic alopecia) is more common among men, women can also suffer from hair loss, especially after menopause or due to hormonal changes.

• Excessive washing of hair causes hair loss.

  Washing your hair itself does not cause hair loss. Hair falls out naturally during the growth cycle, and washing your hair actually helps keep your scalp clean. However, overly aggressive treatments or the use of harsh chemicals can damage your hair and follicles, which can lead to hair loss.
  

• Myth: Hair will never grow back after it falls out

  In many cases, hair can grow back, especially if the cause of hair loss is temporary. For example, with alopecia areata, many people experience hair regrowth at some point, although this is not guaranteed for everyone.
  

• Scalp mesotherapy

  Scalp mesotherapy is a treatment that restores the scalp, stimulates hair growth, and strengthens hair.

• Thinning hair therapy with your own blood

  Blood plasma therapy, or your own blood, is a type of so-called regenerative medicine that is most often used in the fight against aging and the treatment of injuries.
  
  By applying this method, accelerated hair growth was recorded in most patients - longer and thicker hair compared to the untreated area.