Alopecia Areata and Hair Loss

Contents
1. Your symptoms
2. The causes
3. Treatments and the Clauderer approach

1• Your symptoms

Alopecia areata by patches

It is the most common, and fortunately the one that is best cured.

It is characterized by a sudden hair loss on isolated zones of the scalp and the formation of completely bald patches. The loss is so sudden that the person is not always the first one to realize it, but is rather often alerted by somebody else.

Another characteristic of alopecia areata is its unpredictable nature. Often, only one patch appears, followed by others several weeks later. Inversely, at other times, several random zones of the scalp turn bald at the same time.

The patches have a rounded shape, and develop centrifugally, with their diameter ranging from 2 to 8 cm at the end of their cycle. Another sign is that the boundaries of the bald zones are often limited from the rest of the hair by short broken (1 to 2 cm) hair that are thinned out towards the root. Such peripheral hair have a shape similar to an exclamation mark.

In more than 50% of cases, the hair grows back on its own, between six months and a year after it has disappeared, especially if there were only one or two isolated patches. Unfortunately, the regrowing process is unpredictable and it is necessary to boost it with an adapted treatment, as soon as the first patches appear (see the Clauderer approach below). The regrowing usually starts with a white down. The hair then thickens and progressively regains its colour.

Recurrences are frequent and unpredictable: 50% of the time the condition can reappear 5 to 10 years after the first patches disappear, for no apparent reason.

Alopecia totalis

Much more rarely (5% of cases), the alopecia areata process can spread to the whole scalp. It is then said called ‘alopecia totalis’. Even more rarely (0.2% of the time), the alopecia areata is generalised to the whole hair system and makes all of the body’s hair fall: that is called ‘alopecia universalis’.

The prognosis is worse for alopecia totalis. On average, the regrowing process comes later and is less complete: only 15 to 25% of the hair grows back on its own. Relapses are also more common.

Points in common

Whether it is partial or global, alopecia areata affects men and women alike, and particular young people (over 60% of cases arise before the age of 20) and those with dark hair. The average age is around 30.

Summarisation table

2• The Causes

It is a deficiency of the hair follicles, which suddenly interrupt their action, without yet being destroyed. Their cells no longer produce keratin, but their work is simply blocked, as if it were ready to resume. The scalp's skin, which remains normal and still has its pores, unlike androgenetic hair loss where the inactive follicles burry themselves in the dermis and the skin becomes smooth, illustrates this.

There is still a debate, with three non-exclusive hypotheses, to explain this deficiency: alopecia areata could be a multiple-factor condition, and the combination of the three factors could favour the appearance of the symptoms.

The auto-immune argument

The argument is based on the analysis of the hair follicles that have been affected: they reveal the presence of self-destructive antibodies, in the alopecia areata developing phase. Those same antibodies disappear during the regrowing phase.

Here, and for an unknown reason, the matrix's cells produce antibodies, which, far from protecting them, attack their own structure and block the formation of keratinocytes (keratin cells).

Psyhcological factors

Statistics show that people affected with alopecia areata are frequently stressed and psychologically vulnerable. They have also often been through a strong emotional trauma, a few months before the appearance of the first symptoms (loss of a loved one, change in lifestyle, major scare...). Is this trauma the direct cause of the hair loss? Has it only played a catalysing role in the auto-immune mechanism described above? There is a debate about this particular point.

In any event, the stress generated by the illness itself has a negative impact on its development. It is a proven fact, admitted by all: the arbitrary and aesthetically unpleasing aspect of the symptoms triggers, most of the time, a state of anxiety that considerably aggravates the conditions. Supporting psychotherapy is often recommended in order to end the vicious circle. Group therapies have strongly developed online. They give patients the opportunity to trivialise their problem and support each other.

The hereditary factor

The genetic possibility should not be left out, given that we find cases of alopecia areata in the family history of 20% of the people who develop the condition. But the alopecia areata gene has not yet been isolated.

3• Treatments

The miracle remedy for alopecia areata does not yet exist. For as long as its mechanisms will not have been perfectly understood, no therapy will be able to prevent the appearance or recurrences of the condition: alopecia areata develops and relapses at its own pace, and the multiple treatments available today can accelerate the regrowing process, but neither have an impact on the triggering factors nor on its definite cure.

The Clauderer approach

An in-depth hair diagnosis at the centre, (by appointment: call +33 (0)1 42 61 28 01) is needed in order to examine the scalp, analyse the hair and determine the stage of the illness.

If you cannot come to the centre and chose the diagnosis by post option, you must include a picture and your phone number in the mailing. After the analysis of your hair, we will call you, if necessary.

The treatment offered includes an 'accelerating' product we have developed. It has both a thermal and vasodilatation effect, and is made of 100% natural ingredients (invigoring essential oils and vitamins that favour regrowing). With no side effects, it must be applied every day according to a specific method. In most cases, it triggers faster regrowing, with more pigmented and stronger hair.

Diagnosis In-depth Clauderer Diagnosis: Have a complete hair checkup