Hair loss, or as medically known as Alopecia, is a common problem in both men and women. It is an irreversible inflammatory follicular damage associated with scarring and hair loss. Traditional treatments of scarring alopecias, such as intra-lesional and topical steroids and topical minoxidil, have limited success. In advanced cases of primary scarring alopecia, Hair transplantation is a debated treatment option. This blog will understand the efficacy of hair transplantation as a treatment option for primary scarring alopecia.
What is Alopecia?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder. When affected, the person’s hair comes out in clumps and patches. Not every patient experiences the same amount of hair loss. Some see hair loss only in some parts of the scalp, while it is more widespread for others. Some regain the hair they lost. This regrown hair also may not be permanent for all patients. The main condition is known as Alopecia areata, and below are the categories:
- Alopecia areata totalis – The patient lost all the hair on the head.
- Alopecia areata Universalis – The patient loses hair over the entire body.
- Diffuse alopecia areata – The patient has sudden thinning of hair rather than lost patches.
- Ophiasis alopecia areata – The patient sees hair loss in a band shape around the sides and back of your head.
The main reason for Alopecia is that immune cells permanently damage the follicular stem cell reservoir of the outer root sheath, or bulge region, of hair follicles. Alopecia is most common in women between 30 and 50 years.
Traditional treatment methods for Alopecia
Treatments try to slow down or inhibit the progression of the disease with local or systemic immunomodulation. At first topical steroids, such as fluocinonide, clobetasol lotion or cream, and intralesional triamcinolone acetonide are administered. Antibiotics, antibiotics, retinoids, hydroxychloroquine, and mycophenolate are commonly used to decrease inflammation in this rapidly progressive disease.
Hair Transplantation and Alopecia
How far are hair transplants effective for Alopecia patients? The main principle behind hair transplant is that the “transplanted new hair” should survive in bald-resistant, hair-abundant hair tissue. Hair restoration techniques have been evolving regularly, and they now incorporate minute precision. FUE is the current gold standard method since it can pick desirable follicular units individually, no suturing is required, and minimal scarring occurs.
Rarely does one see serious complications after hair transplants? There is a strict post-surgery regime that promotes the graft survival rate. A pre-surgery hair transplant test is conducted to determine where a single Follicular Unit is transplanted and is observed for significant adverse effects or inability to thrive.
Factors affecting the transplanted hair survival rate are:-
- Oxidative stress
- Infection
- Oedema
- Likelihood of the surrounding balding-prone tissue affecting the transplanted tissue – If the area surrounding the transplanted tissue starts dominating the newly transplanted area.
Hair transplantation for alopecia cases has low graft survival rates (50%) compared to non-scarring Alopecia.
At Hair Sure International, we diagnose and treat all forms of Alopecia. You just don’t have to settle on hair transplants. We first try shampoos and medications, and as the last option, we try hair transplants. Our alopecia patients have been extremely happy with the treatments we provide.
All our treatments are backed by scientific research. At Hair Sure International, our goal is to help you feel confident with your appearance. Reach us today if you’re considering a hair transplant or other methods, and we are happy to help you explore all of your alopecia treatment options. Visit our website https://www.hairsure.in/ or reach us at 040- 42020202,9494020202, and hairsure123@gmail.com.
