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Alopecia can be a symptom of cancer, severe anemia, autoimmune diseases, and hormonal disorders. Therefore, with such a problem, you should always go to a dermatologist, and not use fake trichologist offices. Especially since there are new and more effective drugs to stop hair loss.
- Every second adult man is balding and about 6 percent. women under thirty
- Dermatology has made great strides in treating hair loss
- Doctors warn against using the help of fraudsters impersonating trichologists
– Alopecia can be treated effectively provided that it is done by specialists – argued dermatologists during the World Congress of Trichoscopy in Warsaw. The problem, however, is the growing market of non-professional diagnosis and treatment services for this disease in Poland.
Alopecia – don’t look for help at the hairdresser
Alopecia is a medical symptom and always has a systemic cause – genetic, hormonal, inflammatory, cancerous, drug-induced or otherwise. It affects about 50 percent. adult men under 50 and over 70 percent. over 50 years of age. In the case of women, it is 3–6%. the population under 30 and 30-40 percent. after 50 years of age. Only dermatologists have diagnostic tools and scientific knowledge to identify correctly the cause of baldness.
A modern diagnostic method, developed by Polish dermatologists and currently used all over the world, is trichoscopy. It is performed using a handheld dermoscope or a videodermoscope, which allows the doctor to see the scalp magnified with special lighting.
Dr. Ewa Chlebus, a dermatologist, emphasizes that doctors have been training in this test for several years. In order to deepen the diagnosis, they sometimes perform a biopsy consisting in the excision of about 4 mm of the skin for histopathological examination. Incorrect or late diagnosis of the cause of alopecia often causes irreversible hair loss and may even be life-threatening in cases where alopecia is a symptom of serious diseases.
Fake trichologist offices
Trichology and trichoscopy are among the most highly specialized areas of dermatological knowledge. – We are observing with great concern that in Poland, the so-called “Trichological”, consisting in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases associated with alopecia are provided by people without medical education. This carries a huge threat to health and life by delaying the diagnosis of serious diseases, whose first symptom alopecia is – says Prof. Lidia Rudnicka, president of the International Trichoscopy Society, head of the Dermatology Clinic of the Medical University of Warsaw. It was she who in 2006 introduced the term “trichoscopy” and published the “Atlas of Trichoscopy” which is used by physicians around the world.
Meanwhile, such fake cabinets of pseudotrichologists they arise like mushrooms after rain, although it is illegal for doctors to diagnose and treat hair diseases by doctors. They also offer trichology training to anyone who applies, regardless of their education.
– Such offices are probably worse than aesthetic medicine services performed by unqualified personnel, because healthy people come to the latter. In contrast, in the case of alopecia, the symptoms of a life-threatening disease may be overlooked. I have experienced several tragedies with my patients because they did not diagnose baldness with a specialist, which never allowed them to heal themselves again – says Dr. Chlebus.
News in the treatment of alopecia
Prof. Lidia Rudnicka emphasizes that doctors have many effective medications at their disposal in the treatment of baldness. – During the last scientific congresses, there were several new reports. The drug for prostatic hyperplasia in men has been found to be effective in treating men androgenic alopecia in women. So far, when treating alopecia, we have used the antihypertensive drug minoxidil in the form of a liquid to be rubbed into the scalp. Studies have shown that when taken in the form of tablets orally in a much lower dose than for hypertension, it also effectively treats hair loss.
In alopecia areata, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, so far used in the treatment of psoriasis and in hematological diseases, have proved to be extremely effective. However, they have two disadvantages: the cost of a monthly treatment is PLN 16. PLN and if it is interrupted, hair falls out, which means that it must be carried out for the rest of your life. Very good treatment results frontal scarring alopecia, which is slowly becoming an epidemic among women, is achieved with the use of vitamin A derivatives of retinoids – informed Prof. Rudnicka.
Mesotherapy and laser combs for hair loss
According to prof. Rudnicka, mesotherapy, i.e. injecting various preparations into the scalp is effective only if the preparation is minoxidil. – If we give, for example, vitamin C or other substances, it will not work – he says. The positive effects of injecting platelet-rich plasma are still being tested. “That’s why we recommend this method as a supportive method,” she explains. Regarding the administration of stem cells, there are no studies to prove the effectiveness of such therapy.
There are also no studies to support the use of oral or topical estrogen hormones in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women. On the other hand, a beneficial effect of 1,5 mm dermorolytic microneedings was found in men, who did not achieve a satisfactory effect after using standard therapeutic methods. The effectiveness of the treatment of the so-called The laser comb has not yet been evaluated in clinical trials. The effect of shampoos on the course of androgenetic alopecia has not been confirmed, apart from single studies on the effectiveness of ketoconazole 2%.
Hair transplant robots
Dr. Rodrigo Pirmez, coordinator of the Hair Diseases Section of the Brazilian Dermatological Society and vice-president of the International Society of Trichoscopy, recommends hair transplantation, but only as one of the elements of comprehensive treatment. This treatment is used in androgenic alopecia in men. Hair is transplanted from the occipital area, because in men these are non-androgen-dependent zones, which means that the hair growing there is resistant to the effects of factors causing their loss. However, it should be remembered that when we transplant the hair into the bald front area of the head, it will not stop the process of hair loss elsewhere. As a consequence, there will be a bald enlarging area between the transplanted hair above the forehead and the growing hair on the top of the head.
In women, there are no distinct non-androgen-dependent zones, so transplants are done less frequently. It is not always effective in scarring alopecia. So far, the use of robots for hair transplantation does not arouse enthusiasm among dermatologists. – The hair follicles are situated at a certain angle to the skin surface. The robot does not take this into account and often destroys them. Perhaps in the future there will be more perfect robots – says prof. Rudnicka.
Baldness prophylaxis
Preventing alopecia is, first of all, starting its treatment early. Obesity and smoking have a negative impact on its course. – The earlier we start, the better the chances of success of the therapy – emphasizes prof. Rudnicka. With such a problem, you should visit a dermatologist. Among the doctors of this specialty there are those who specialize in trichoscopy. So let’s make the effort to find such a doctor.
According to prof. Rudnicka, it is also important to maintain the balance between the bacteria on our scalp. – The so-called the proper microbiome of our scalp helps to maintain dermocosmetics, which are gentle to ordinary shampoos or conditioners, says the doctor.
- Genetic basis of baldness. New research
Dr. Ewa Chlebus emphasizes that a restrictive diet has a very negative effect on hair. She warns that fasting and elimination diets will always affect the hair. She also advises you to avoid being in nicotine smoke. Prof. Rudnicka adds that constant stress also affects the condition of our hair. Stress is the contraction of the vessels that supply the necessary nutrients to the hair follicles, he says. If the follicles lack the necessary substances, they are not functioning properly.
In the prevention of baldness, it is also very important to take appropriate dietary supplements. We recommend the saw palmetto, available on Medonet Market, that regulates testosterone levels and inhibits hair loss.