Posts Tagged: Alopecia Areata

What Type of Hair Loss in Women is Suitable for Hair Transplant?

August 10th, 2009

Q: What type of female hair loss is suitable for a hair transplant?

A: A smaller percent of women with genetic hair loss are good candidates for a hair transplant as compared to men. The reason is that hair loss in women tends to be diffuse (i.e. there is thinning all over). In this situation, there is no stable donor area to use for the hair restoration.

Women with hair loss localized to the front and/or top of their scalp and good hair on the back and sides, can be excellent candidates for hair restoration, but it is important for the doctor to determine this by measuring the hair density in the donor area. This can be performed in the office using an instrument called a video-densitometer.

Conditions other than genetic thinning can be treated with hair transplantation, such as traction alopeica and hair loss from surgical scars, but some conditions, such as alopecia areata, do not respond well. It is important to have a dermatologist make sure that the condition is treatable by surgery before considering a hair transplant.

Reminder: Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration will be holding a Women’s Hair Loss Open House at our facility in Midtown Manhattan, New York City on Wednesday, August 12th, 2009 (4-6pm). You can register to attend the open house by following this link. We look forward to seeing you there!

Topic: Women

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Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 9:38 am

Hair Cloning Shows Promise in New Stem Cell Study

July 15th, 2009

Alopecia areata is an auto-immune disease that causes hair loss that ranges from small circular areas on the scalp to extensive or even total baldness. A new study, using hair cloning therapy to regrow hair, shows promise for all individuals with this condition.

The study, conducted by Marwa Fawzi, a dermatologist at the University of Cairo, used stem cells from the scalps of eight children with alopecia areata to regenerate their own hair. The Cairo researcher took small amounts of skin from the scalps of the children, isolated the hair follicle stem cells that stimulate hair production, and grew them in the lab, increasing the number of cells. After one month, she put the cells back into the scalps of the children, with numerous injections across the bald areas of their heads.

Six months after the hair cloning treatment, an evaluation showed a 50% increase in hair in more than half of the subjects. The stem cells had stimulated the follicles to transition from a dormant phase to a hair-generating phase.

Read the full article in the Hair Cloning News section of the Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration website.

Topic: Hair Cloning

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Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 3:32 pm

What are Most Common Causes of Hair Loss in Women?

February 24th, 2009

Q: What are the most common causes of hair loss in women other than genes?

A: For localized hair loss the most common causes are traction (due to tight braiding) and alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease that produces smooth round patches of hair loss).

Other than genetic (hereditary) thinning; generalized hair loss is most commonly caused by medications, anemia, and thyroid disease.

Topic: Women

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Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 8:21 am

Can One Have Hair Transplant to Cover Single Bald Patch?

December 16th, 2008

Q: I just started to lose my hair but it’s just in one spot, like a circle on the left side of my head. Do you ever do a hair transplant just into a bald spot and not the whole head?

A: It is possible to have a hair restoration procedure into a single bald spot. However, it would be most beneficial to first determine the cause of the condition.

Bald spots caused by alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease) are best treated with injections of steroids into the scalp, rather than with a hair transplant. In fact, the transplanted hair can be rejected in patients with this condition.

Traumatic scars (i.e. from an accident) can be treated with follicular unit hair transplantation as the hair grows quite well in scar tissue, as long as the scar in scar tissue, as long as the scar is not thickened (hypertrophic).

Topic: Hair Transplant

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Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 6:54 am

What Causes Patch of Hair Loss in Women?

September 7th, 2006

Q: I am a 34 year woman with a patch of hair loss by my temple. I went to the salon to have my hair done and to my surprise my hairdresser told me that I have Alopecia? First time I heard of it, my G.P is not very concerned about it but having read so much about it on this site I am becoming a bit concerned. The rest of my hair is healthy any suggestions and diagnosis?

A: “Alopecia” is just a generic term for any kind of hair loss.

It sounds like you have a specific condition called alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that presents with the sudden appearance of well localized bald spot(s) on the scalp or other parts of the body. The underlying skin is always normal.

The treatment is injections with cortisone. Hair transplant surgery is not indicated for this condition.

You should see a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis and treat.

Other diagnoses to consider are triangular alopecia (which would have been present since childhood) and traction alopecia (that is cased by constant tugging on the hair).

Topic: Medical Conditions

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Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 11:33 am



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