There are a variety of reasons why individuals may begin to lose their hair, one of them being alopecia. I’ve heard the term alopecia several times before, but I really didn’t know much about it. I decided to research on my own to learn more about it — check out what I found below!
What is Alopecia?
From the website Scalp Micro UK, “Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin”. Those living with alopecia experience hair loss on the scalp, as well as the face and other parts of the body.
According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, 6.8 million people are living with alopecia in the United States alone. Worldwide, 147 million people currently live with alopecia.
What Causes Alopecia?
Because alopecia is a polygenic disease, both parents must contribute certain genes to the child for the child to develop alopecia. Many believe that stress is a cause of alopecia, but research by medical experts have found that to largely be a myth. Only in extreme cases can stress cause alopecia, but medical experts agree that the causes are genetic.
Treatments for Alopecia
It is important to note that as of right now, there are no cures for alopecia. There are however some treatments that can help hair grow back. These treatments are mostly recommended for those who still have about 50 percent of their hair left. Treatments include pills and topical treatments. However, there is no guarantee these treatments are permanent solutions.
Many companies, such as Team Micro, offer scalp micropigmentation services — similar to tattooing — to those living with alopecia. Scalp micropigmentation adds pigment to the scalp that give the illusion that the hair was recently shaved and is beginning to grow back.
I hope this post helped you learn more about alopecia and the different options available to treat it!
Team Micro
7 Millfield Lodge, Cottingley Business Park
Bingley, BD16 1PY
United Kingdom