Androgenetic Alopecia

Alopecia is a condition in which there is hair loss in the scalp or hair loss anywhere on the body, although the most common form manifests itself on the scalp, known as baldness. It affects about 80% of men and 40% of women and can be transient or permanent.

Androgenetic Alopecia is a natural and frequent condition of hair loss in which the main cause is genetic predisposition. Hair strands get thinner as time goes by. It is a benign hair disease that, in addition to the visible consequences, can cause psychological weakness, as it can affect self-esteem. There is no indicative age for the onset of this condition. The evolution and extent of the problem are also variable.

It manifests itself, in general, differently in men and women, although it involves thinning of the capillary thread in both situations. Male Androgenetic Alopecia begins at the level of the so-called “entries” and at the top of the head (crown). It can be stabilized in some area or reach the upper region of the head. In the affected areas, the hair have different lengths and textures from each other. In women, it is common for there to be a reduction in the amount of hair on the top of the head and the affected areas are not completely without hair, only a decrease in the density of the strands is observed.

The diagnosis is made by a physician and requires the patient's clinical history, as well as visual and/or complementary assessment of the affected areas. Trichoscopy can be used to evaluate the hair and scalp by enlarging the image.

Since this condition interferes with their psychological well-being, people are increasingly looking for solutions to prevent the progression of Androgenetic Alopecia and to recover hair in the affected areas. The definition of the most appropriate treatment is carried out in collaboration with the Hair Medicine Doctor and taking into account the age, gender, speed of evolution, general health status and the specificities of each person. As it is a progressive disease, the lost follicles are not recoverable, so it is important that the treatment is carried out in a timely manner.

There are several treatments for this problem, although there are no guarantees of definitive results. The most common clinical treatment is with medication to reduce the production of hormones associated with this condition and to prolong the growth phase and hair production. One of the treatments that is also frequent and with better results is the Hair Transplant, used in a stable phase of Alopecia. In this surgical procedure, performed under local anesthesia, hair follicles are transplanted from the patient's donor areas (usually on the back or side of the scalp) to the affected areas. The transplanted follicles will not fall out, as they were transplanted from an area that is not affected by the disease and therefore not subject to the genetic factors that cause them to fall out.

While Androgenetic Alopecia can be challenging, it is important to remember that true beauty lies beyond the external standards set by society. Self-confidence and self-acceptance are the real keys to overcoming any obstacle.