Are you suffering from alopecia areata and you want to know whether or not hair transplantation can help you overcome the issue? If so, then keep reading this post. Here, we will provide you with all the information about hair transplantation, including whether or not you’re the right candidate for the procedure. Let’s dig in…
First off, let’s understand what Alopecia Areata is and how it impacts your look. Here we go…
What Is Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition in which white cells attack hair follicles. Consequently, it causes hair loss in small round patches which often join together and form larger bald patches. People aged between 25 and 40 years are more prone to this kind of hair loss. Alopecia Areata can affect both males and females. More often than not, it happens because of genetic factors. If you have a family history of autoimmune diseases like Type 1 Diabetes, then you’re highly likely to experience the symptoms of alopecia areata sooner or later.
If not treated or managed on time, it can lead to severe hair problems like alopecia universalis (complete loss of body hair) and alopecia totalis (complete baldness). In such a situation, hair transplant treatments come in handy. The demand for hair transplantation is on the rise worldwide, including in India. Hair transplant offers safe, effective, and permanent results, ensuring no recurrence.
However, it is crucial to visit a reputable hair transplant clinic to determine whether or not you’re the right candidate for the procedure. Doctors in reputable clinics evaluate your overall health and scalp condition to determine whether you are eligible for hair transplantation or not. Certain factors are taken into account before determining your eligibility for the procedure. Let’s understand them in the next section.
When Is Hair Transplantation a Suitable Treatment for Alopecia Areata?
In specific circumstances, haircare experts recommend hair transplantation surgery for patients with alopecia areata. Patients with alopecia areata may be eligible for a hair transplant if:
- Their hair loss has stabilized or if there are no further hair loss symptoms for the past 2 – 3 years.
- The size or number of hair loss patches has remained unchanged for a long time.
- Their bald patches are small and have not changed for a long time.
- Their scalp biopsy shows no signs of inflammation below the scalp. A skilled hair transplant surgeon will first perform a scalp biopsy to examine an underlying inflammation. Individuals who do not experience inflammation are considered ideal candidates for hair transplant surgery.
- They have high-quality hair follicles on the donor site.
- They are medically fit for the procedure or not suffering from any chronic disorder that can hamper the procedure or its results.
When Is Hair Restoration Surgery an Ineffective Treatment for People with Alopecia Areata?
There are several factors that can impact your eligibility for the procedure. Some of them are as follows:
Poor Hair Follicles in Donor Site
A successful hair transplantation depends solely on the health of hair follicles. This is because healthy hair follicles are used in the process. Hair transplant surgeons extract healthy hair grafts or hair follicles from the donor site and implant them onto the recipient site (the area that is experiencing hair loss). In patients with alopecia areata, it has been seen that white cells indiscriminately attack hair follicles, making them vulnerable to the transplant process. Simply put, the patient has no safe donor area. In such a situation, doctors recommend to avoid undergoing hair transplant procedure. This is because the success of the hair transplantation procedure significantly decreases when there are no healthy hair follicles at the donor site. Even if you undergo a procedure, the transplanted hair will fall out in a few days because of the poor health of hair follicles.
High Chances of Further Hair Growth
Alopecia Areata is not a non-treatable condition. According to a leading hair transplant surgeon at Neoaesthetica, this problem silently disappears within a year. More often than not, patients with this autoimmune disease start to notice hair growth if they address the problem promptly. If you are experiencing Alopecia Areata, then worry not. There is a high chance your hair will regrow after the intervention of 1-2 years. Performing hair restoration surgery is only an unnecessary trauma for such patients. However, Neoaesthetica’s hair specialist suggests visiting a reputable hair clinic for a complete evaluation.
So, if you are concerned about how you can manage the condition without undergoing surgery, then continue reading ahead…
How Can You Manage Alopecia Areata Without Surgery?
Here are some ways you can give a shot in order to manage Alopecia Areata without undergoing a hair transplant surgery
- Scalp Micropigmentation: Scalp Micropigmentation, orSMP, is one of the most advanced cosmetic treatments that offers permanent solutions for people suffering from hair loss, including alopecia areata. It’s a non-surgical solution in which pigments are implanted into the skin to replicate the appearance of natural hair growth.
- Head Gears: You can consider buying wigs or head gears to hide the condition.Though using a wig is temporary management, you can try it until your hair regrows naturally. Additionally, wigs can appear artificial and may not seamlessly blend with natural hair.
- Topical Application: There are some over-the-counter creams like anthralin, monoxide, and clobetasol that you can use to stimulate hair growth. Nonetheless, there is no evidence to support the effectiveness of these medications for alopecia areata. You should visit a reputable hair clinic for the right solutions.
- Steroid: Steroid injections have also proved to be effective in speeding up hair regrowth. However, they do not lessen baldness despite regular administration.
Putting it all together…
So, this is all about the suitability of hair transplant procedures for patients with alopecia areata. Hopefully, this article has been informative for you and helped you make the right choice. Without a doubt, a hair transplant is a nice option for people struggling with hair loss. Even patients with alopecia areata can undergo hair transplant surgery if their doctor recommends it. You are advised to visit a reputable hair transplant clinic to determine your eligibility. Neoaesthetica is a renowned hair transplant clinic. We offer high-quality hair transplant treatments. We have treated numerous patients with alopecia areata and have delivered exceptional results. If you’re looking for the best treatment, then visit Neoaesthetica. We will first assess your overall health and scalp condition to determine your eligibility for the procedure if you’re suffering from alopecia areata.