Hair loss, alopecia and alopecia areata

Medical terms

Scarring alopecia, alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia

Common terms

Alopecia, hair loss

Overview

The causes of hair loss are varied and a correct diagnosis is essential to enable successful treatment. Androgenetic alopecia (the common balding process, male or female pattern hair loss) is the most common form of hair loss in men and women for which there are scientifically proven treatments which can slow down, stop or reverse the process. Generally the earlier treatment is instigated the better the results.

Alopecia areata affects 1% of the population at some time in their lives and usually presents as patchy hair loss. Whilst the course of this condition can be unpredictable there are effective treatments to encourage regrowth.

Symptoms and signs

Hair loss from the hair or body, sometimes to the extent of baldness.

Treatment

It is vital to determine the type of hair loss as different treatments work for different conditions. Treatments include topical formulations, systemic treatments (tablets), injections to the scalp and immunotherapy.

Monitoring response to treatment is vital and so at The London Skin and Hair Clinic, a medical digital photography system is used which allows accurate, reproducible photographs to be taken at specified time intervals for comparison. There is a proportion of the population who do not respond to treatment.