Introduction

There are various types of hair loss and baldness. Although the mechanism of the phenomenon of hair loss and baldness is not fully understood, there is extensive knowledge about the ability to treat types of hair loss and baldness with medication or natural means.

We are dividing the types of alopecia into treatable and untreatable conditions and will explain how the chances of successful treatment can be assessed in treatable conditions.

When evaluating the possibilities of improving the condition of the hair, the most important criterion is the condition of the hair follicles. As long as the hair follicles are alive, there is a chance for new hair to grow. Otherwise, there is no basis for any treatment to be successful and the only options are cosmetic wig, 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 loss. In the process of hair loss, each growth cycle produces shorter, thinner hair and there is less pigment (color).

When the scalp has a shiny tuft, it indicates that the hair follicle is still alive but dormant. With the knowledge and therapy of the right specialist, the hair follicle can be stimulated to grow hair. However, if the surface is completely smooth, it indicates that the hair follicle is no longer alive and there is no possibility of hair growth, except in some cases as explained below (Alopecia Areata, Totalis and Universalis).

Given below are the different types of hair loss and the chances of new hair growth.

No treatable conditions

Hair loss conditions that do not have the possibility of regrowth are: alopecia at birth, scarring alopecia, traction alopecia and lupus disease.

Alopecia from birth is a rare condition, where the baby is born without hair follicles.

In Scarring Alopecia, the infected area looks like a scar and the hair follicles are dead. The reasons for the phenomena are unknown. The chances of new hair growth are slim to none, but with proper treatment the spread 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 caused by lupus disease, the skin is rough and pink and the chances of hair growth are almost non-existent.

treatable conditions

Hair loss conditions that have a chance of being successfully treated are: male pattern baldness, alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis.

Male pattern baldness is the common male baldness. Its characteristics are hair loss in the area of ​​the forehead and crown first. In many cases there is still at least a tuft of hair, hair loss and baldness can be stopped by affecting the hair follicles.

In the condition of Alopecia Areata, the typical round patches of hair loss evolve rapidly. Sometimes bald patches extend to total hair loss on the scalp (Alopecia Totalis) or even in areas of the entire body (Alopecia Universalis). The phenomenon could harm men, women and young children. Conventional medicine assumes that the condition of alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease, although the exact mechanism of alopecia areata is not fully known or understood.

In many cases, alopecia areata is caused by psychological pressure: People who experienced trauma sometimes lost all of their hair in a matter of hours or days.

Evaluation of the chances of a successful treatment

As explained in the introduction, the condition of the hair follicles is the most important criterion for evaluating the chances of successful treatment. The presence of fine, white hair is a visible indication of living hair follicles. Thin white hair can be noticed by examining the scalp closely, in good light conditions. Sometimes looking at the scalp from an angle against a light source helps to see thin white hair.

Naturally, when there is fine white hair in the area of ​​alopecia, it indicates that the hair follicles are weak but alive, so there is a foundation for hair to grow, given proper treatment. But when the area of ​​alopecia is smooth, the evaluation depends on the type of alopecia:

In the condition of male pattern baldness, smooth scalp is a clear indication that the hair follicles are not alive and there is no chance for new hair to grow. However, in Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis, and Alopecia Universalis, the hair follicles sometimes remain alive even if the area of ​​alopecia is smooth, and the assessment of the condition of the hair follicles must take into account other important factors.

The factors that play an important role in the condition of the hair follicles and, therefore, the chances of success:

– Age of the patient: the younger the patient, the greater the chances of recovery

– Period with Alopeia Areata condition: if the condition is recent, the chances are higher. Among people who have experienced Alopecia Areata for decades, the hair follicles are probably too weak.

– The condition of alopecia areata was due to shock: in such cases, the chances of recovery are better.

– Use of violent and inappropriate treatments: Some treatments cause permanent damage to the hair follicles. In these cases, although there is hair growth, it is common that once the treatment is stopped, the hair falls out and the hair follicles remain weaker, making it difficult to stimulate growth.

– Fine white hair: as explained above, if there is fine white hair, the chances of recovery increase.

– Wearing a wig: When a wig is applied, the skin of the scalp is normally not exposed to air and does not breathe (the skin is not able to absorb oxygen). In the cases of wig wearers, the chances of recovery are lower. If the wig is glued together, the chances are slim to none.

It must be emphasized that these are general guidelines for the chances of treatment success, based on experience with an alopecia areata patient population. A personal assessment is required to accurately assess a specific person’s chances of success.

Choosing the right treatment

There are natural or medicinal therapies that aim to revive the roots of the hair. When considering drug treatment, it is recommended that you consult a specialist dermatologist and inquire about possible side effects. The Internet includes extensive information on the side effects of conventional treatments. In the case of natural treatments, it is recommended to seek a treatment certified by a recognized organization. The treatment must be certified as safe for use and without side effects. To be certified as having zero side effects, the treatment must contain only herbs and plants that are the safest, edible herbs, as defined by the US CTFA list of plants.