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Treatment of androgenetic alopecia

Your hair is our mission. Effective treatment of androgenetic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss and baldness in men. It often affects women as well. Increasing thinning of the hair is then observed, especially on the top of the head or at the hairline. In these areas, they grow much softer and noticeably shorter. In the initial stage of the disease, curves appear, and then the hairline begins to move toward the back of the head.

It can lead to a situation where the hair is already exclusively on the occipital area. The cause of this type of baldness is most often genetic – the presence of a certain enzyme in the hair follicles, determines their shrinkage, and consequently hair loss. At our clinic, we treat various types of alopecia, including androgenetic alopecia. We take an individual approach to each patient and care about their comfort.

treatment of androgenic alopecia

What is the treatment of androgenetic alopecia like?

Treatment of androgenetic alopecia can consist of oral medication, topical therapies, treatments to promote new hair growth and reduce the negative effects of the disease on hair follicles, or hair transplantation. It focuses primarily on limiting the disease’s progression and permanently masking its symptoms. They are selected individually to the patient’s case.

In the absence of contraindications, you can opt for treatment by several methods simultaneously. Women undergo androgenetic alopecia slightly differently than men, so treatment may differ even when the sexes are different. It can also have various causes that increase the risk of developing the disease. Among them are thyroid and ovarian diseases or Cushing’s syndrome. People with a family history of the condition are more likely to be affected.

Indications for treatment

The indication for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in both women and men is a visible reduction in the volume of hair, its density and too much hair loss. Some patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia also complain of symptoms such as itching and dandruff or excessive oily scalp.

When treating alopecia, we also deal with these symptoms. The most important indication for treatment is discomfort and malaise related to the emerging symptoms.

Contraindications to treatment

Contraindications to treatment depend on the method chosen. We distinguish between permanent contraindications, which, when present, exclude the use of a particular method altogether, and temporary contraindications, which can be removed and the treatment can then be carried out without concern. In the case of hair transplants, contraindications include pregnancy and lactation, advanced autoimmune diseases, blood clotting disorders, cardiovascular disease, a diseased scalp or poor qualifying test results. If we want to use minoxidil, the scalp must not be damaged or lesioned – there must be no wounds, irritation, spots or scales on it. Along with minoxidil, other medications or cosmetics applied topically should not be used, but this is ultimately decided by the doctor. The treatment of androgenetic alopecia with finasteride is not recommended in women of childbearing age, nor in pregnant women, since given in such a situation it can lead to irreversible damage to the fetus. It is not known whether the drug crosses into breast milk and its safety for use in children has not been determined.

The course of the treatment

It is important to keep in mind that the best results are always achieved in patients in whom the disease has been diagnosed early and treated right away, so it is not worth delaying a visit to a trichologist.

Treatment of androgenetic alopecia begins with a medical consultation, during which a very thorough history is taken regarding the genetic burden of the disease in the family, symptoms, duration of symptoms, medications taken and the presence of other conditions. Then the necessary tests are ordered to confirm the presence of the disease and verify its causes – blood, hormonal, visual inspection of the scalp, sometimes also trichoscopy.

Histopathological examinations are relatively rare, but in more complex cases their order may be justified. After collecting and analyzing all available data, an appropriate treatment method is selected in consultation with the patient.

The doctor also makes sure that there are no contraindications to using a particular method. After that, it is only important to follow the doctor’s instructions and regularly monitor the effects of therapy.

Treatment of androgenetic alopecia

In the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, we can mention the following ways, among others:

  • Minoxidil therapy – which comes in the form of preparations with different concentrations of substances that are applied topically to the scalp. Minoxidil increases blood supply to hair follicles, inhibits the negative effects of the disease and accelerates the regrowth of new hair after transplantation. However, it is important to remember that its use, like any other drug, is subject to the risk of side effects.
  • Oral pharmaceuticals – most often treatment with finasteride, which reduces the effects of an enzyme that causes shrinkage and damage to hair follicles, and consequently also hair loss. The drug is used in men. It, too, is not without side effects, but the results obtained with its help are sometimes spectacular.
  • Hair transplant – often proving to be the most effective step in treating androgenetic alopecia. It involves transplanting healthy hair follicles into the affected part of the head. With it, you can change the line along which the hair runs, thicken it or make it grow out where baldness was previously visible. Hair that grows from transplanted follicles does not fall out, especially if the cause of the disease was genetic. This is because they are resistant to the substance that causes hair loss in androgenetic alopecia.
  • Side activities – related to choosing the right care for the condition, as well as getting rid of symptoms such as dandruff or seborrhea. Among the additional measures that can contribute to solving the problem are also adjusting the diet, analyzing the medications taken, blood tests or regulating the body’s hormonal situation.

Treatment of androgenetic alopecia in a nutshell

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Treatment of androgenetic alopecia can give very good and satisfactory results. However, it is advisable to take them as soon as possible after the first symptoms of the disease are observed.
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The course of treatment can be very different for men and women. It also depends on the individual situation – health, medications or habits.
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There are several methods of treating androgenetic alopecia – you can use oral or topical pharmacological treatment, take a number of additional measures, perform aesthetic medicine and cosmetology treatments or hair transplantation.
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Treatment of androgenetic alopecia also includes getting rid of unpleasant symptoms accompanying the disease, such as dandruff, itching and burning or seborrhea of the scalp.
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The undertaken actions are not burdened with high risk, nor are they excessively burdensome for the Patient. However, you should be systematic and follow medical recommendations. Convalescence is only required in the case of a hair transplant.

Treatment results

The effects of androgenetic alopecia treatment vary depending on individual susceptibility and the methods used. Combination therapies, that is, for example, the simultaneous use of topical preparations, along with the use of oral medications, give very good results.

Hair transplants, if there are no complications during the procedure or the recovery period, give spectacular results and allow you to completely forget about the disease. However, you will have to wait several months for the final results. To reinforce some of the treatments used, you can opt for cosmetological treatments to complement them. However, such a desire should be consulted in advance with the attending physician.

FAQ

What is androgenetic alopecia?

Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, is the most common type of hair loss in men, although it also affects women. It is related to genetics and the influence of male hormones called androgens, including testosterone, more here.

What are the symptoms of androgenetic alopecia?

Androgenetic alopecia is characterized by gradual hair thinning and loss of density, usually beginning at the temples and top of the head. For women, there may be a general thinning of hair without a specific pattern.

What treatments are available for androgenetic alopecia?

The most popular and commonly used treatments for androgenetic alopecia are minoxidil and finasteride. Minoxidil is available without a prescription and is applied directly to the scalp. Finasteride is a prescription drug that inhibits the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, the hormone that causes miniaturization of hair follicles.

Does androgenetic alopecia treatment have any side effects?

Yes, both minoxidil and finasteride can cause side effects. Among the most common side effects of minoxidil is irritation of the scalp. Finasteride can cause sexual problems, such as decreased libido, erectile problems or reduced sperm count.

* Przedstawiona treść ma charakter informacyjny i nie stanowi oferty handlowej w rozumieniu Art.66 par.1 Kodeksu Cywilnego.