Alopecia Areata
It is one of the most drastic type of hair loss, it presents as circular patches of hair loss which can sometimes merge with each other patches . Regrowth usually starts at the centre of the bald patch with fine white hair that thickens with time and usually regains its colour. It is a very unpredictable condition. Alopecia areata can co-exist with other hair loss conditions. A hair loss consultation is required before any cosmetic treatments are started. Most of the research on alopecia areata has focused on the scalp.
This condition is thought to affect the beard in as many of 28% off cases.
How the clinic can help
You may have already received a diagnosis from your General Practitioner. The treatment options in primary care are limited.
This clinic offers cosmetic options to help improve the appearance of the hair. As with all cosmetic treatments unfortunately results cannot be guaranteed.
You will be advised to seek referral to a dermatologist which will allow access to much more aggressive treatments if needed. For severe and rapidly progressing cases of alopecia areata an early appointment with a dermatologist is recommended to access a wider range of medical treatments.
In early cases of alopecia areata you may wish to use appropriate topical medications and supplements. You can personalise your treatment using the TrichoTest which will stop you wasting time which treatments that are not likely to work based on your genetic profile.
Platelet rich plasma
This clinic does not offer steroid injections, which some dermatologists are able to offer.
It does offer platelet rich plasma with the intention of improving the cosmetic appearance as an alternative as per the research paper Evaluation of platelet-rich plasma vs intralesional steroid in treatment of alopecia areata. by Abalat and Ebrahim, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in 2019
There is some evidence that Platelet Rich Plasma can be a useful adjunctive cosmetic treatment in some cases of alopecia areata, and is of similar effectiveness to steroid injections. It is important to understand that results are not guaranteed, and a range of other approaches should be used at the same time.
Automated microneedling with Dermaroller XCellaris ProTwist
Improving the cosmetic appearance of hair thinning due to alopecia areata is one of the indications for this treatment. The treatment programme is a series of treatments in the clinic, supplemented by the home treatments (shown).
Alopecia areata is one of the hair loss conditions this treatment is indicated for.
The main advantage of the treatment is that it is not painful.
4-8 treatments at the clinic are likely to be needed carried out monthly. This is optimised by a daily and weekly home programme. Packages of 4 treatments are available which includes home care products.
Exosomes
Using the same device but a different solution, the purasome is an exosome treatment.
TrichoTest
TrichoTest is a DNA test which helps to identify which topical medications and supplements are most likely to be effective in early and mild alopecia areata. It involves taking a swab from inside both cheeks, completing an online questionnaire and waiting for the report to come back. This can take around 4 weeks.
As some of the recommendations are only available from specialist pharmacies, this clinic can arrange onward prescribing of medications if needed.
This can be done remotely or in the clinic
Cosmetic fibres for hiding small areas of hair loss
This clinic recommends Doctor Trichology fibres for afro-textured hair and Toppik fibres for straighter hair. To buy the Toppik hair fibres, please follow this link and enter Crewe1 at the checkout for a 10% discount
Practical help in hiding hair loss - wigs
The clinic can supply ready to wear wigs and hair pieces for men and women. Regrettably, once purchased the pieces are not returnable.