* Individual results may vary.
Sooner or later, most Australians experience hair loss as a normal part of ageing. Because it is not a life-threatening condition, doctors often disregard its effects. Yet, while it may not be physically debilitating, hair loss and alopecia can cause serious emotional problems, including a loss of self-esteem.
In this article, the skin specialists at Platinum Dermatology give you the information you need to understand your hair loss problem and discuss treatments that are right you for.
Platinum Dermatology Looks at The Roots of Hair Loss & Alopecia
Alopecia is an umbrella term in medicine that refers to baldness, thinning hair, and hair loss of any kind. While there are multiple different types of alopecia, some of the more common types of alopecia brought by patients to Platinum Dermatology skin specialists to address include:
- Androgenetic Alopecia – Commonly referred to as male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness, it is a condition that affects both genders, but about 50% of men will be affected by it at some time in their lives. It is most likely hereditary and linked to hormones.
- Alopecia Areata – This is the loss of a patch of hair and can occur anywhere on the body. It often appears on the scalp where it is known as “spot baldness.” This is an autoimmune condition, which may relate to stress both physical and mental.
- Alopecia Totalis – Complete loss of scalp hair can happen rapidly or as an extension of alopecia areata. It is an autoimmune condition that may be related to stress.
- Alopecia Universalis – Complete hair loss over the entire body, including the eyelashes and eyebrows. It is also an autoimmune condition.
Treatments for Hair Loss & Alopecia
The best treatment for hair loss depends on the source of the problem, and different treatments are recommended for male pattern baldness vs. female pattern baldness, for example. In some cases the hair loss is temporary, and full regrowth will occur without treatment. The skin specialists at Platinum Dermatology can identify and treat hair loss due to reversible conditions such as anaemia or thyroid, and treat it accordingly.*
In other cases, our medical experts may recommend measures to block the effects of hormones on the hair follicles.
Platelet rich plasma injections (PRP) has been shown in randomised controlled trials to increase hair growth by a further 20% when combined with medical treatments.
The Facts about Hair Loss, Alopecia, & Hair Restoration
In response to the search for the answer to hair loss and alopecia, a cottage industry of non-scientific treatments for hair loss has grown, including nutritional supplements, hair lotions, tonics, etc. None of these has been shown to promote hair growth or prevent hair loss.
The bottom line is that while hair loss can be stabilised and arrested, hair that has been lost to age or genetics cannot always be restored. Yet. We’re happy to report that researchers from the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute say they are getting closer to a method for generating new hair using human pluripotent stem cells.
Something to look forward to!
Platinum Dermatology Offers Help with Thinning Hair
If you have questions about hair loss, thinning hair, and alopecia or any other condition affecting your scalp, contact Platinum Dermatology at 02 8014 6500 or use the contact form on this page to learn how we can help you look and feel your best.
* Individual results may vary.