OVERVIEW
Hair Disorders & Conditions
There are many disorders and conditions that can lead to hair loss in both men and women. Some of these conditions are curable using nonsurgical methods where the hair is known to grow back once the condition is cured. Some conditions cannot be treated nonsurgically. If the hair follicle is destroyed, the hair loss will be permanent. In these situations, hair transplant surgery may be considered. Hair loss disorders and conditions that Dr. Yaker treats include both non-scarring alopecia and scarring alopecia.
NON-SCARRING ALOPECIA
Dr. Joseph Yaker treats both men and women who experience hair loss due to alopecia. This is the general medical term used to describe hair loss that occurs during the normal hair growth cycle. There are several types of alopecia, nonscarring being one of them. As the most common type of hair loss, nonscarring alopecia is considered reversible in many situations because it does not permanently destroy the hair follicle. Individuals with this type of alopecia may shed anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs a day, resulting in bald patches, widespread balding, as well as noticeable hair thinning. There may also be inflammation, itchy skin, and peeling at the site of hair loss. Nonscarring alopecia predominantly affects men between the late teenage years and late 40s, and women around age 50 or later.
CAUSES OF NON-SCARRING ALOPECIA
Patients who are diagnosed with nonscarring alopecia experience hair thinning and balding due to a disruption in the cycle of their hair growth that can be caused by a number of influences. The most common influence is genetic predisposition and hormones. This is called androgenetic alopecia, or male and female pattern hair loss. Other causes of nonscarring alopecia include telogen effluvium, anagen effluvium, alopecia areata, early stages of traction alopecia, and trichotillomania, as well as other less common conditions. Sometimes, diseases such as thyroid disorder, fungal infections, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can lead to nonscarring hair loss. Nonscarring alopecia can also occur with natural aging, which is known as senescent alopecia. Finally, the overuse of hair care products and the regular use of aggressive hair-styling techniques and chemicals can exacerbate hair loss by destroying hair structure and function. Interestingly, many forms of hair loss can be biphasic, where long term non-scarring alopecia can result in scarring alopecia.
TREATMENT
Treatment will depend on many factors, including the cause of nonscarring alopecia, how much hair loss has occurred, and what the aesthetic goals are for the patient. Dr. Yaker offers a complete nonsurgical management approach to hair loss for patients who have thinning or balding and who wish to slow, stop and even reverse hair loss. Nonsurgical treatment includes:
- Hair & Scalp Therapy using Dr. Yaker’s TCHR Volumizing Glycolic Acid Shampoo and Conditioner
- Nutritional modification, including dietary changes and Aminoplex hair repair supplements
- Medication such as Finasteride (brand name: Propecia®) and Minoxidil (brand name: Rogaine®)
- Low Level Laser Therapy
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) with Placenta-Derived Extracellular Matrix Therapy
- Scalp Micropigmentation
- Camouflaging Hair Products
SURGICAL TREATMENT
For general hair loss that is related to nonscarring alopecia, surgical treatment can help regain a full head of hair. Hair transplant technology has made significant advancements and allows men and women to restore their hair loss in a perfectly natural way. There are two surgical approaches to consider:
FOLLICULAR UNIT TRANSPORTATION ( FUT ) :
Known as the “strip method”, which uses an incision to remove a strip of hair and tissue from the back of the scalp and dissect the strip into individual hair grafts. The grafts are then transplanted to the areas of thinning and balding.
FOLLICULAR UNIT EXTRACTION ( FUE ) :
This technique uses advanced technology to remove individual hair grafts (1-4 hairs) and then transfer these hairs to the areas of balding and thinning.
Both surgeries are widely used by hair transplant surgeons and create similar outcomes for patients. The difference between the two is in the way the hair is removed from the donor site (the back of the scalp).
SCARRING ALOPECIA
There are many varying types of alopecia, the medical term used to describe hair loss. Scarring alopecia, known as cicatricial alopecia, refers to a group of conditions that destroy the hair follicles, causing permanent hair loss. This type of hair loss is associated with fibrosis and scar tissue that replaces the hair follicles. The destruction of the hair follicles may cause symptoms such as burning, itching and redness. In these cases, the hair loss is usually rapid. Some individuals may have no real symptoms, other than the gradual loss of hair. Those that suffer from scarring alopecia will not have scarring from the hair loss, instead, the scalp will appear smooth and shiny and devoid of any hair follicles. This condition affects both men and women and is not related to genetics. Plano, TX hair restoration surgeon, Dr. Joseph Yaker, will provide a thorough medical examination to determine the cause and create a custom treatment plan to slow down or restore the hair loss.
CAUSES OF SCARRING ALOPECIA
It is still not quite fully understood what causes this type of alopecia. However, in all cases, there is inflammation located at the upper part of the hair follicle where the sebaceous (oil) glands are located. Once these are destroyed, permanent hair loss occurs and there is no possibility for the hair follicle to regenerate.
TYPES OF SCARRING ALOPECIA
In all cases of scarring alopecia there is inflammation located at the upper part of the hair follicle where the stem cells and sebaceous (oil) glands are located. Once these are destroyed, permanent hair loss occurs and there is no possibility for the hair follicle to regenerate. Diseases that can cause permanent hair loss include:
TRAUMA
Physical
Burns
Radiation
Traction (extensions, cornrows, braids, ponytails)
Chemical (hair straighteners, bleaches, perming solutions)
Trichotillomania (compulsive hair plucking)
INFECTIONS
Bacterial (chronic staphylococcus folliculitis)
Fungal (tinea capitus)
Viral (shingles)
SKIN DISEASES
Lichen Planopilaris
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
Folliculitis Decalvans
Dissecting Cellulitis
Central Centrifungal Cicatrical Alopecia
Discoid Lupus Erthematosus
Scleroderma
TREATMENT
Because hair loss that occurs with scarring alopecia is likely permanent, it is important to begin treatment in the early phases, since it may be possible to stimulate follicles in the affected area before permanent damage occurs. Most importantly, the nature of treatment varies depending on the particular diagnosis. To help with inflammation, antibiotics and/or topical steroids may be applied directly to the skin. Once the diagnosis has been made, it is still possible to save the hair follicles that have not yet been destroyed by stimulating them with either Minoxidil (brand name: Rogaine®), growth factors such as platelet rich plasma (PRP) with placenta-derived extracellular matrix therapy, and even low level laser therapy. After the disease has been inactive for a period of 1 or 2 years, hair transplant surgery may be an option for patients who wish to restore the bald areas. Hair can be taken from the back of the scalp using Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and transplanted to the front where balding has occurred.
