Alopecia can affect either just the scalp, or sometimes the entire body. Whilst the condition is more prevalent in males, it can happen in females and be severely debilitating. Now, there are several factors that can contribute to hair loss, and also treatment options available to help, including PRP.
What causes Hair Loss?
Hair loss can have a variety of causes, both genetic and environmental. Here are some of the most common causes of hair loss:
- Genetics: Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss. It is hereditary and can affect both men and women.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid problems can cause hair loss.
- Stress: Emotional or physical stress can cause hair loss. This is because stress can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle and cause more hair follicles to enter the resting phase.
- Nutritional deficiencies: A lack of nutrients, such as iron, vitamin D, and biotin, can cause hair loss.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, blood thinners, and antidepressants, can cause hair loss as a side effect.
- Hairstyles: Wearing hairstyles that pull on the hair, such as tight braids, ponytails, or cornrows, can cause hair loss.
- Medical conditions: Medical conditions such as alopecia areata, fungal infections of the scalp, and lupus can cause hair loss.
Symptoms
Hair loss can present in a variety of ways, depending on the cause. It might strike abruptly, or happen gradually over time, and it can affect your entire body or just the scalp.
The following are some of the symptoms of hair loss:
- On top of the head, there is a gradual thinning
This is the most prevalent type of hair loss, which occurs as we age. Hair begins to recede near the hairline on the forehead in men. In most cases, women’s hair has a broadening of the part. A receding hairline is an increasingly common hair loss trend in older women (frontal fibrosing alopecia).
- Bald areas that are round or patchy
On the scalp, beard, and brows, some people lose hair in circular or spotty bald areas. Before the hair falls out, a patient’s skin may become uncomfortable or unpleasant.
- Sudden hair loss
Hair might loosen as a result of a physical or mental trauma. When combing or washing hair, or even after light tugging, a few strands of hair may fall out. Hair thinning is common with this form of hair loss, although it is only temporary.
- Hair loss all over the body
Hair loss can occur as a result of some medical diseases and treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer. Hair normally regrows on its own in these cases.
- Scaling patches that extend throughout the scalp
This is a ringworm symptom. Broken hair, redness, swelling, and leaking are all possible symptoms.
Treatment
Whilst hair loss can be debilitating for individuals, there are some treatment options and medications which can help, such as PRP.
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy for hair loss is a non-surgical treatment that involves the injection of a concentrated solution of the patient’s own blood platelets into the scalp. The platelets contain growth factors that can stimulate the hair follicles and promote hair growth.
Here’s how the procedure works:
- Blood is drawn from the patient’s arm, and then processed to extract the platelets.
- The extracted platelets are then injected into the scalp, usually in areas where hair loss is occurring.
- Once injected, the growth factors in the platelets promote hair growth by stimulating the hair follicles and increasing blood flow to the scalp.
- PRP therapy is usually performed over a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart, and the results can be seen gradually over several months. The effectiveness of PRP therapy may vary depending on the individual case, and it may not be suitable for all types of hair loss.
It’s important to note that PRP therapy should only be performed by a qualified healthcare professional or a dermatologist. It’s also recommended that individuals considering PRP therapy for hair loss speak with their healthcare provider to determine if it’s a suitable treatment option for them.
For more information on PRP for Hair loss, or to get started with PRP in your clinic, contact RegenLab.
