Introduction
There are many types of hair loss and baldness. While the mechanism of occurrence of hair loss and baldness is not fully understood, there is vast knowledge on the ability to treat types of hair loss and baldness through pharmaceutical or natural methods.
We are dividing the types of alopecia into treatable and non-treatable conditions and we will thereby explain how the chances of successful treatment can be evaluated in treatable conditions.
When evaluating the possibility of improving the condition of the hair, the most important criterion is the condition of the hair follicles. As long as the hair follicle is alive, there is potential for new hair to grow. Otherwise, there is no basis for any treatment to be successful and the only options are cosmetic- wigs, hair transplant etc.
The life span of hair follicles can reach up to twenty-five years. Hair follicles grow hair in cycles of growth and fall. In the process of hair loss, each cycle of growth produces hair that is shorter, thinner and has less pigment (color).
When there is a bright plume to the scalp, it indicates that the hair follicle is still alive but inactive. Given proper expert knowledge and therapy, hair follicles can be stimulated to grow hair. However, if the surface is completely smooth, this indicates that the hair follicle is no longer alive and there is no potential for hair growth—except in a few cases as noted below (alopecia areata, totalis, and universalis). .
Different types of hair loss and possibilities of new hair growth are given by it.
non-treatable conditions
Hair loss conditions with no possibility of hair regrowth: alopecia areata from birth, scarring alopecia, traction alopecia and lupus disease.
Congenital alopecia is a rare condition where a baby is born without hair follicles.
In scarring alopecia, the infected area looks like a scar and the hair follicles die. The causes of the incident are unknown. The chances of new hair growing are zero, but with proper treatment, the progression of scarring alopecia can be stopped.
In traction alopecia, the hair is pulled from the scalp and the hair follicle weakens and dies.
In alopecia that is caused by lupus disease, the skin is rough and pink and there is little chance of hair growth.
treatable conditions
Hair loss conditions that can be successfully treated are: male pattern alopecia, alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis.
Male pattern alopecia is common male baldness. Its characteristics are the first hair loss in the front and crown area. In many cases, while there is still minimal hair loss, hair loss and baldness can be stopped by affecting the hair follicles.
In the condition alopecia areata, patches of distinctive round hair loss develop rapidly. Sometimes bald patches spread to complete hair loss of the scalp (alopecia totalis) or areas of the whole body (alopecia universalis). The incident may harm men, women and small children. Conventional medicine believes that the condition of alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease, although the exact mechanism of alopecia areata is not known nor fully understood.
In many cases, alopecia areata is caused by psychological stress: people who experience trauma lose their entire hair, sometimes within hours or days.
Evaluating the likelihood of successful treatment
As mentioned in the introduction, the condition of the hair follicles is the most important criterion for evaluating the likelihood of successful treatment. The existence of thin white hairs is a clear indication for living follicles. Under good lighting conditions, the thin white hairs can be seen when examining the scalp from a close distance. Sometimes viewing the scalp from an angle opposite to the light source helps to see the thin white hairs.
Naturally, when there is thin white hair on the alopecia areata, it indicates that the hair follicles are weak but alive, so there is a basis for hair growth if given proper treatment. But when the alopecia areata is smooth, the evaluation depends on the type of alopecia:
In the case of male pattern alopecia, the smooth scalp is a clear sign that the hair follicles are not alive and there is no chance for new hair to grow. Although the hair follicles in alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis sometimes survive, even if the alopecia areata is smooth, other important factors must be taken into account in evaluating the condition of the hair follicles.
Factors that play an important role in the condition of the hair follicle and hence the chances of success:
Age of the patient: The younger the age, the better the chances of recovery
– Duration with alopecia areata condition: If the condition is recent, the chances are higher. In people who have experienced alopecia areata for decades, the hair follicles may be very weak.
– The condition of alopecia areata was caused by a stroke: in those cases, the chances of recovery are better.
– Use of violent and inappropriate treatments: Some treatments cause permanent damage to the hair follicles. In such cases, even if there is hair growth, it is common that once treatment is stopped the hair falls out and the hair follicles remain weak, making it difficult to stimulate growth.
– Thin white hairs: As mentioned earlier, if there is thin white hairs, the chances of recovery increase.
– Wig use: When a wig is put on, the scalp skin is not exposed to the air normally and cannot breathe (the skin is not able to absorb oxygen). Those who use wigs are less likely to recover. If the wig is attached with glue, the chances are close to zero.
It should be emphasized that these are general guidelines for the likelihood of treatment success, based on the experience of a population of alopecia areata patients. An individual assessment is needed to accurately assess a specific individual’s chances of success.
choosing the right treatment
There are natural or medicinal treatments that aim to regenerate the hair roots. When considering drug treatment, it is advisable to consult an expert dermatologist and inquire about possible side effects. The Internet contains a vast amount of information about the side effects of conventional treatments. In case of natural remedies, it is advised to look for a remedy that is certified by a recognized organization. The treatment must be proven safe for use and without any side effects. To be certified to have zero side effects, treatments must contain only herbs and plants with a maximum safety level—edible herbs—as defined by the US CTFA list of plants.
Source by Shmuel Gonen
