Alopecia (Hair Loss)
Alopecia is a prevalent condition, commonly known as hair loss, that affects both men and women. Usually presenting as the shedding or thinning of hair, baldness or receding hairline. Alopecia mainly affects the scalp but can appear in any part of the body where hair grows. Hair loss can be sudden, distressing and intimidating. At the Queensland Institute of Dermatology, we are specialised and confident in helping you navigate this condition.
Causes
As hair grows in cycles, hair loss can appear in the active (anagen) phase, when hair is actively growing or the resting (telogen) phase. It is normal to lose up to 100 scalp hairs per day during the hair cycle as new hairs push the old hairs out of the follicle. It may cause hair loss if higher numbers of hairs are lost than are replaced.
Some forms of Alopecia have the potential for hair to be regrown, although if you are diagnosed with scarring alopecia, the hair follicle is destroyed and cannot be regrown.
Treatments
We understand that hair loss not only affects a person physically but psychologically and socially as well.
Our specialists will discuss your hair loss history at the Queensland Institute of Dermatology and outline a general plan for approaching your concerns. They will investigate your hair loss with a selection of blood tests to check for associated medical conditions. You may also have a small sample of the hair and scalp sent for analysis.
Our Dermatologists offer specialised and tailored treatments depending on the cause of Alopecia. We utilise a multimodal approach, using a combination of topical therapies, intralesional steroids, tablets, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Additionally, we have unique access to a range of clinical trials and compassionate access medication in treatment-resistant cases.