Alopecia is not strictly speaking a diagnosis but a medical term that simply means ‘hair loss’. There are several causes of alopecia and it is best to seek professional advice either from your doctor in order to establish the cause of alopecia and ascertain potential treatment options.
We understand how devastating suffering hair loss can be, and the huge impact it has on quality of life. At our hair loss clinic in Meath, we offer comprehensive support, and the following:
- We provide constructive advice on your cause of hair loss and treatment options.
- We offer a range of treatments including creams, lotions, tablets and injections.
- We can make recommendations on providers of hair systems and cosmetics
What happens at a hair loss (alopecia) consultation?
An initial consultation for hair loss with our doctor includes the following:
- Detailed discussion of the problem
- Examination of the area of hair loss
- Trichoscopy using a Dermatoscope
- Advice on any investigations you may require such as blood tests or biopsy
- A discussion of any treatment options
- A prescription if required
- A copy of the clinical noting is sent to you and to your General Practitioner or a referral for biopsy if deemed necessary
What are the causes of hair loss?
The most common causes are:
- Male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia)
- Female pattern hair loss
- Acute telogen effluvium
- Chronic telogen effluvium
- Drug induced
- Alopecia areata
- Traction and chemical alopecia
- Skin disorders causing inflammation on the scalp
Can hair loss be treated?
It depends on the cause. Certain forms of hair loss, such as acute telogen effluvium, are self resolving.
Chronic telogen effluvium, if caused by an underlying metabolic abnormality, such as thyroid disease, can be improved if the underlying cause is treated.
Other causes such as alopecia areata, can sometimes be controlled with creams or injections. Male and female pattern hair loss can be slowed down with lotions, prescription medications, platelet rich plasma and microneedling and hair transplantation.
Inflammatory scalp disorders can be controlled in some individuals if they are caught early, but once scarring of the hair follicles has developed the hair loss can be permanent and requires hair transplantation or cosmetic cover up.
What types of medications can be prescribed for alopecia areata?
Steroid injections are used as a treatment for improving some forms of hair loss. Steroid injections work for hair loss that occurs when the body’s own immune system starts fighting hair follicles. Localised steroid injections (triamcinolone acetonide) into the scalp in the area of hair loss can counteract the immune system from harming the hair follicles.
What types of medications can be prescribed for male pattern hair loss?
Finasteride is a medication used to tackle the condition of androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness.
Male pattern balding occurs as a result of the hair follicles at the temples and crown getting smaller ‘miniaturisation of hair follicles’ and the hair falling out a lot faster compared to the surrounding non-balding hair.
Testosterone gets converted into another hormone known as Dihydrotestosterone or DHT. This hormone is the one that shrinks follicles and means the scalp generates less hair.
Finasteride works as a type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. This means that it stops testosterone from being converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
By reducing the levels of DHT within the scalp, follicles are left less likely to suffer harm. A daily dose of Finasteride lowers DHT levels in the scalp by around 70% .
This means that Finasteride boosts hair counts in the first year and then slows down the rate of progression of male pattern hair loss after the first year.
It is important to understand that Finasteride does not permanently stop male pattern hair loss or reverse it. It slows hair loss down – but hair loss will inevitably continue.
Can Finasteride stop male hair loss or reverse it?
Finasteride boosts hair counts in the first year and then slows down the rate of progression of male pattern hair loss after the first year.
It is important to understand that Finasteride does not permanently stop male pattern hair loss or reverse it. It slows hair loss down – but hair loss will inevitably continue.
When is the best time to start Finasteride?
It is better to start Finasteride earlier as there are more hairs that can be ‘saved’ from becoming miniaturised.
In medical studies when men are given Finasteride one year later, they have less hair than men who started Finasteride one year earlier.
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