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When you have alopecia hair loss, the cells in your immune system surround and attack your hair follicles
Alopecia can have several causes including genetics, stress, auto-immune disease and a side effect of some medications. It can be temporary or permanent and may affect only your scalp, or your entire body.
Call or book online today to arrange a consultation to discuss private alopecia treatment with a consultant of your choice at Circle Health Group.
This page explains what alopecia is, what causes alopecia and what treatments are available.
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A normal hair growth cycle consists of four parts:
Signs of alopecia vary between men, women and children and depend on the type and severity of alopecia you have.
Signs of alopecia may include:
Alopecia has many possible causes including:
This is a natural occurrence where your hair gradually thins as you age. It occurs when the growth cycle of your hair becomes shorter meaning more of your hair follicles are in the resting phase.
Hairs also become shorter and fall out faster than usual, leading to thinning hair.
This is a genetic condition that affects both men and women. In men, the condition is known as male pattern baldness, and in women, female pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss.
Male pattern baldness begins as a gradual receding hairline (creating a "U" or "M" shape) and a bald spot on the top of your head. It progresses over many years until the receding hairline and bald spot join up resulting in no hair on the top of your head and a thin band of hair around the side of your head. Male pattern baldness usually begins in your 30s but can start as early as your teens or early 20s.
Female pattern baldness normally involves a general thinning of your hair over your entire scalp without a receding hairline. Women don't usually experience signs of female pattern hair loss until their 40s or later.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells - in this case, the hair follicles. It can affect anyone but is most common in children and young adults. The condition usually starts suddenly and causes patchy hair loss normally on the head and face. You may experience itching or burning around the area before your hair starts to fall out. Alopecia areata can occur as a single episode or may reoccur throughout your life. Most cases of alopecia areata resolve without treatment.
There are several types of alopecia areata depending on the severity of your hair loss and where on your body the hair loss occurred.
This is a type of temporary hair loss that occurs in response to stress or a major change to your body and may be triggered by certain medical conditions, illness, surgery, vitamin or mineral deficiency, and some medications. Telogen effluvium results in changes to your hair growth cycle and occurs when a large number of hairs enter the resting phase of the cycle, and the next growth phase doesn't begin. It normally begins around three months after the triggering event. If the cause is resolved, hair normally grows back without treatment after around six months.
This is a type of permanent hair loss that occurs when the hair follicle is destroyed. It can be caused by an autoimmune disorder, infection, burns, chemicals or some skin conditions that cause scarring such as acne, cellulitis, folliculitis, some types of lupus and lichen planus.
This type of alopecia may occur when your hair is pulled too tightly from your scalp for extended periods, such as too tight ponytails, braids, dreadlocks, or from wearing tight headwear. It is caused by damage to your hair follicles. If your traction alopecia is identified early, and the cause removed, your hair can grow back, but in severe cases, hair loss may be permanent.
This is a psychological disorder where a person feels compelled to pull out their own hair. It is most commonly seen in children and normally starts between 10 and 13 years of age. People with trichotillomania may pull out the hair on their head, or other parts of their body such as their eyebrows or eyelashes.
To determine the cause of your hair loss, your consultant will start by asking you some questions. They may ask you about:
Your consultant will examine your hair and scalp as well as any other areas of your body where you have noticed hair loss and your nails.
Alopecia can normally be diagnosed using a combination of your symptoms, medical and family history and a physical examination.
In some cases, your consultant may order tests such as:
At Circle Health Group, your first appointment is very important as it's where your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, perform a physical examination, provide a diagnosis, and discuss possible treatment options.
Your first consultation is also where you meet your consultant, the doctor responsible for your care. Your consultant will spend time getting to know you, discuss your expectations for treatment and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. It is important to us that you are as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your hair loss treatment, so please discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your appointment.
At the end of your appointment, your consultant will discuss possible treatment options and decide on the best treatment or combination of treatments depending on your symptoms and diagnosis.
In many cases hair loss is temporary, and your hair will grow back once the underlying cause is resolved. For other types of hair loss, your consultant may recommend a treatment or combination of treatments. The best treatment for you depends on the type of alopecia you have.
Some treatments for alopecia include:
Finasteride is a prescription-only medication that can help with male pattern baldness. It is normally taken as a tablet once a day. Finasteride works by blocking the active male hormone that causes hair loss and may help prevent further hair loss and encourage hair regrowth. It only works for as long as you are taking it. As it is a hormonal treatment, women and people under the age of 18 should not take finasteride.
Side effects of finasteride may include:
Minoxidil is a topical treatment that can be used for hereditary (male and female pattern) baldness. It is applied as a solution or foam directly to your scalp where hair loss has occurred and may help prevent further hair loss and encourage regrowth. It typically takes around 12 weeks of treatment with minoxidil before you see results, and it only works for as long as you are using it. Minoxidil can be bought over the counter without a prescription.
Side effects of minoxidil may include:
Corticosteroids work by suppressing your immune system and reducing inflammation. They may be used to treat alopecia areata. Corticosteroids can be taken orally, injected into your scalp (or other affected parts of your body) or applied to your skin as an ointment, cream or foam.
Side effects of corticosteroids may include:
Platelet-rich plasma injections involve taking a small sample of your blood, processing it and injecting it back into your scalp to stimulate hair growth. It may be used to treat male pattern baldness and to encourage hair growth after a hair transplant.
Side effects of platelet-rich plasma may include:
This treatment aims to stop your immune system from attacking your hair follicles by rubbing a chemical into your skin to trigger an allergic reaction (contact dermatitis). It may be used to treat alopecia areata.
Side effects of topical immunotherapy may include:
Phototherapy uses ultraviolet (UV) light from special lamps to reduce inflammation in certain skin conditions. In some cases, you may be given a drug called psoralen to increase your skin's sensitivity to light before having phototherapy. Phototherapy may be used to treat alopecia areata.
Side effects of phototherapy may include:
Hair transplantation is a procedure where plugs of skin that contain active hair follicles are moved from parts of your scalp or body with hair to bald or thinning areas. It can be used to treat hereditary (male or female pattern baldness). A hair transplant is performed as a day case under local anaesthetic.
Side effects of hair transplant surgery may include:
Possible complications of hair transplant surgery may include:
Before your alopecia treatment, your consultant will explain any possible side effects and complications of your treatment and answer any questions you may have.
It is important that you are as well-informed as possible about any potential risks and complications as this will allow you to make an informed decision before your alopecia treatment.
At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:
If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about alopecia treatment, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0808 189 5499.
Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in November 2024. Next review due November 2027.
Alopecia areata National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Hair loss NHS
Hair Loss Types: Alopecia Areata overview American Academy of Dermatology Association
Hair Loss: Who Gets And Causes American Academy of Dermatology Association