Diffuse alopecia: what it is, its causes. Hair loss treatment for women and men

Features of the problem

For a girl, curls are an indicator of her self-care. Scientists have proven that dull and sparse strands indicate vitamin deficiency or complete exhaustion. While thick and shiny curls indicate the harmony of all processes occurring in the body.

Even during the times of Kievan Rus, a long braid was the pride of any female representative. For men, luxuriant hair is not such a significant indicator of beauty, however, thinning of the scalp also serves as evidence of a disorder in the functioning of the body.

Wanting to understand what diffuse alopecia is and how to treat it, you need to turn to the medical classification of diseases. The definition of this phrase is hair loss over the entire surface of the scalp, which is consistent and symmetrical. If a healthy person experiences a loss of 25 to 125 units per day, which is considered normal, then the disease is accompanied by a loss of 150 to 1000 or more per day.

It is necessary to turn to human anatomy to understand the mechanism of baldness. Before appearing on the surface, the hair goes through several stages of formation: ● Anagen phase. The first stage, during this process, active division of cells responsible for growth is observed, pigment (melanin) is produced, which ensures the presence of a certain shade of the strands and the shaft appears. The duration of such manifestations ranges from two to seven years. ● Catagen phase. The activity of this stage is manifested by abundant growth, the duration is fourteen days. The follicle shrinks, melanin production stops, and the rod departs and moves to the epidermis (skin). ● Telogen phase. The final process of the cycle, which consists of the bulb entering a state of rest, individual curls falling out and being easily removed during combing procedures. The stage lasts about ninety days and precedes the birth of a new hair.

Prevention and prognosis

Diffuse alopecia in women can be treated quite successfully if it is started on time. The main thing is not to ignore alarming symptoms and immediately contact a trichologist.

Long-term action of the provoking factor significantly reduces the favorable prognosis. This is due to the fact that over time the bulb gets tired and weakens. If at some point the follicle and sebaceous gland stop working, recovery will be impossible.

With therapy, hair loss stops after 2-3 months, and growth will be restored after about 8-9 months. Metabolic reactions are gradually normalized, poisoning of the body and its consequences are eliminated, vital substances accumulate to normal levels. Since hair grows by about 1 cm per month, it will take time to restore beautiful and thick curls.

How to prevent diffuse baldness:

• Eat well and properly. If you have radical food preferences or intolerance to certain foods, monitor the level of vitamins and microelements;
• Don't starve yourself or choose strict diets. This approach to losing weight is fraught with serious health problems, deterioration of immunity and the development of systemic or inflammatory diseases;
• protect yourself from stress and anxiety, learn to avoid toxic communication, look for inspiring hobbies;
• take care of your hair and handle it with care, do not use a hair dryer and straightener every day, buy a soft massage comb, color only in a salon from professional hairdressers and do not do it too often;
• regularly conduct independent medical examinations so as not to miss the prerequisites for pathology;
• do not self-medicate even if you think you know effective remedies. The cost of error is too high.

Classification

Depending on the factors of appearance and further symptoms, the disease occurs in two scenarios: 1. Telogen effluvium. Disruption of the developmental cycle can cause hormonal imbalance, in most cases it manifests itself in women within 1–3 months after childbirth. This type of occurrence is characterized by a rapid transition from the first phase to the third. The clinical picture shows that more than 80% of the follicles go into a dormant state, while in a healthy person this indicator is 15%. It is the dysfunction of the internal organs that gives rise to the development of this form of the disease. If they are cured, everything stops. 2. Anagen. The appearance of this type is explained by radiation exposure or an excess of vitamin A in the body, as well as long-term use of medications with an increased concentration of this useful substance. It is characterized by a decrease in the thickness of the rod, which leads to the impossibility of further germination of strands; the curls with follicles at rest are the first to separate. This form of the course is accompanied by complete baldness and occurs in a short time (a period of no more than two weeks) after exposure to the factor.

What is alopecia?

Alopecia translated from Greek means “baldness.” It is an unnatural hair loss that results in hair loss on the head as well as other parts of the body. The loss can be either partial or complete. The most common area that suffers from baldness is the scalp.

Each hair grows from a follicle (this is the hair follicle - the root with surrounding tissues, consisting of 20 different types of cells with different functions). At first, the hair is in the active growth stage - this phase is called anagen and lasts up to 5 years.

Next comes the second and shortest phase - catagen (the end of active hair growth), lasting up to four weeks. In this phase, the follicle enters the resting stage and hair growth stops.

After the follicle goes to sleep, the final phase begins - the resting stage of the follicle, which is called telogen. The hair follicle stops nourishing the hair; It continues to remain in the follicle for about 6-8 weeks, and then falls out. The first anagen phase begins again - the rested follicle again forms a new hair.

Each follicle, and there are several tens of thousands of them on the head, has its own rhythm and speed of phase changes, so hair continuously grows and falls out. On average, about 90% of all hair is in the anagen stage, 8% is in the final phase, which explains the normal process of hair loss.

The average rate of hair loss is from 80 to 150 pieces per day. If this amount is significantly higher than normal, it is recommended to consult a trichologist.

Causes of the disease

One of the explanations why alopecia occurs more often in women than in the stronger sex is exhaustion of the body. This is the root cause of impaired follicular development. Being under constant nervous tension (stress) or following strict diets affects every organ and the body as a whole.

After doctors conducted a number of surveys and studies, a list of factors accompanying hair loss was compiled: 1. Loads. Stress can be attributed to physical and mental health. Diffuse baldness is equally likely to develop in women - after any type of surgery, prolonged exposure to high temperature, heavy bleeding, or changes in hormonal levels. 2. Chronic diseases and previous infections. We are talking about problems with the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, the presence of dermatitis, various infections, and allergies. The presence of such a symptom as baldness is observed with HIV and Syphilis. Infections that are also accompanied by hair loss: lupus, tuberculosis, typhoid, influenza strains, malaria. Basically, based on psychosomatic research, any infection can lead to baldness due to the individual's individual reaction. 3. Deficiency of nutrients. With a small amount in the body and an insufficient dose of proteins, minerals and vitamins, the development of similar pathologies of strand growth is observed. In some cases, the cause of diffuse alopecia in women was low selenium levels - improvements were observed after treatment and its harmonization with medication. 4. Taking medications. At every step today we are told about the complications of taking medications, but few people take this problem seriously. There are several groups of drugs that give rise to one form of the disease: cytostatic; to prevent the formation of blood clots; for the treatment of Parkinson's; vitamin A analogues; adrenoreceptor and H2 blockers; means that relieve cramps. 5. Radiation. Due to an accident or deliberate exposure to radiation, uniform loss of hair on the head is observed.

Diffuse alopecia

Among all hair diseases, non-scarring hair loss accounts for more than 80%, i.e. it is the most common cause of hair loss, affecting 30–40% of people under the age of 50. As a pronounced cosmetic defect, baldness often leads to psycho-emotional discomfort, reducing the quality of life, and causes both social problems due to restrictions in choosing a profession, employment and social prospects, and economic problems due to the duration of treatment and its high cost. Despite the long history of this problem, the issues of etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of non-scarring alopecia are still not well understood, and modern terminology is confusing. Available statistical calculations on the prevalence of hair diseases are often contradictory; there is no data on a comprehensive study of hair pathology.

According to modern publications, in recent years there has been a tendency to increase the number of patients with diffuse hair loss [3, 10–13]. Complaints of hair loss are often made by middle-aged women, but attention should be paid to the fact that no clear incidence rate has been recorded. According to F. M. Meng and Yu. V. Oleinikov (2005), in the structure of visits to medical and cosmetology clinics, hair diseases reach 8%, and the number of initial visits has increased 1.5 times over the past year. The true prevalence of hair diseases is much higher, since a significant number of patients do not seek medical help, considering increased hair loss to be a normal condition. Patients visit a doctor when there is a pronounced aesthetic change, when the parting becomes noticeable and the scalp becomes more noticeable (i.e., visible) through the hair [10, 12, 19]. Daily hair loss (up to 100), uniform over the entire surface of the scalp, is a normal physiological process. However, under the influence of various external and internal factors, the synchrony of hair cycles is disrupted and excessive hair loss occurs (up to 1000 hairs per day), which leads to alopecia [18]. To disrupt the biological rhythm of hair growth, exposure to environmental triggers alone is not enough—certain genetic characteristics of the organism are required [7].

As mentioned above, the classification of the different forms of diffuse alopecia is confusing. If we follow the systematization of diffuse alopecia according to the clinical and morphological characteristics of hair loss, then it can be divided into telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium. Androgenetic alopecia is often classified as diffuse baldness. Androgenetic alopecia is fundamentally different from the previous two. First, this hair loss has typical hair thinning or balding in the frontal and/or parietal areas. Secondly, with androgenetic alopecia, the main links in the pathogenesis are the excess content of androgens in the body tissues or the increased sensitivity of specific receptors to them, as well as a local disorder of androgen metabolism [7, 16]. The fundamental difference between these forms of diffuse alopecia is reflected in the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. According to this classification, androgenetic alopecia and non-scarring hair loss, which includes telogen and anagen hair loss, can be distinguished separately.

The pathogenesis of non-scarring hair loss is complex and remains poorly understood. However, it has now been established that various types of toxic effects or metabolic disorders affect hair growth, which leads to hair thinning. At the same time, we observe an increase in the ratio of vellus hair to shaft hair. Etiological factors affect hair in the anagen phase, since during this period hair follicles have high metabolic activity. This contributes to a reduction in the anagen phase (growth phase) and a faster transition of hair to telogen (loss phase). Thus, as a result, an additional amount is added to the already existing number of hairs in the telogen stage, which leads to excessive hair loss. A change in the ratio of telogen and anagen hair is caused by a failure in the processes of division and differentiation of keratinocytes, a disruption of metabolic processes located in the growth zone of the hair follicle [7, 10]. A decrease in the size of the dermal papilla itself is a direct consequence of a decrease in the number of its constituent cells, a certain part of which is spent on replacing the connective tissue bursa cells lost during progressive vertical movements of the hair follicle in the catagen (intermediate phase) and/or early anagen phases. As a result of such cell migration, follicular miniaturization becomes progressively continuous and develops at a much faster rate, since the anagen phase is shortened. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is capable of regulating the cycle of a mature hair follicle, which exhibits a decrease in vascularization upon entering the catagen phase and restoration of vascularization at the early anagen stage. This factor is synthesized by various cells, including keratinocytes and fibroblasts. VEGF has been proven to be a growth factor in dermal papilla and hair follicle cell cultures. In mature hair follicles, VEGF is found in the inner and outer epithelial hair root sheaths and the dermal papilla. Thus, VEGF is a molecule that plays a key role in ensuring adequate capillary blood flow in the dermal papillae and stimulating hair growth [7].

J. Headington (1993) identifies five functional types of telogen hair loss.

1. Premature completion of the anagen phase is the most common reaction of follicles to the action of provoking factors. Hair follicles, which should have been in the growth phase for a long time, prematurely enter the telogen phase and the process ends with profuse hair loss 3-5 weeks after exposure to the provoking factor.
2. Late completion of the anagen phase, characteristic of postpartum hair loss. Most follicles (due to hormonal changes during pregnancy) are in the growth phase and do not enter the catagen phase until the baby is born. After childbirth, these follicles quickly enter the catagen phase, which leads to hair loss 1-2 months after birth.
3. A shortened anagen phase, which is considered an idiopathic process, and at the same time there is an inability to grow hair to the usual length.
4. Premature completion of the telogen phase, which is characterized by a significant shortening of the resting phase, which contributes to the rapid entry of the follicle into the next growth phase.
5. Late completion of the telogen phase. It is observed in people living in conditions of short daylight hours.

Telogen effluvium can occur in both acute and chronic forms. But in any case, with non-scarring alopecia, complete baldness does not occur. Acute telogen effluvium lasts less than 6 months and then resolves spontaneously or with therapy; chronic lasts more than 6 months, sometimes for several years. Patients with chronic telogen effluvium note persistent and severe hair loss with a wave-like course of the process [9, 10].

Anogen effluvium is a sudden loss of hair caused by exposure to chemical agents or radiation. In this case, hair falls out without entering the telogen phase. Sudden hair loss usually occurs 1–3 weeks after exposure to chemicals or radiation. This most often occurs during the treatment of malignant tumors, which is carried out using radiation or cytostatic agents. In most cases, hair loss caused by chemotherapy is completely reversible. Sometimes the newly grown hair turns out to be healthier and stronger than the hair that fell out [12].

Several etiological factors can be identified that lead to disruption of the growth process in the hair follicle and, accordingly, different types of diffuse alopecia can be distinguished.

Diffuse alopecia due to infections. Diffuse hair loss can be observed after influenza, malaria, infectious mononucleosis, pneumonia, brucellosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, syphilis, and HIV infection. With prolonged and recurrent fever, each attack causes damage to the hair follicles at the same phase of their activity cycle. Baldness occurs 2–2.5 months after a severe attack of fever [2, 17].

Drug-induced diffuse alopecia. Depending on the dose and duration of medication use, anagen alopecia may develop at high doses, and telogen effluvium at low doses. Medicines that provoke hair loss include the following groups of drugs: retinoids, antiparkinsonian drugs, β-blockers, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, H2-receptor blockers, cytostatics.

Diffuse alopecia in deficiency conditions. Iron deficiency leads to diffuse alopecia even in the absence of anemia, as do deficiencies of zinc, chromium, selenium, protein nutrition and vitamin B12 deficiency [1, 17]. A common cause is protein-calorie malnutrition. Hair roots react to protein deficiency very quickly: the hair acquires signs of dystrophy - the diameter of the hair decreases, and the growth rate noticeably decreases. Secondary protein deficiency develops with malabsorption syndrome, enteropathy, disturbances in the processes of absorption and breakdown, which is observed in various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract [10].

Diffuse alopecia in chronic diseases. Classic causes of hair loss are endocrine disorders, in particular hyper- and hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism typically affects the eyebrows. The same symptom also occurs with syphilitic hair loss and atopic dermatitis (Hertoghe's sign). The following diseases can also be distinguished: erythroderma, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.

Alopecia is psychosomatic. Excessive hair loss was observed during wars: it was a consequence of stress, surgical interventions, and accidents.

Idiopathic chronic diffuse alopecia. In some patients, it is often difficult to identify the causes of hair loss, and therefore a diagnosis of idiopathic chronic alopecia is made. However, during diagnosis, one should not forget about the presence of androgenetic alopecia. V. P. Adaskevich et al. (2000) indicate that in almost 40% of patients with complaints of diffuse hair thinning, a thorough examination reveals elevated levels of androgens in the blood serum.

Interesting are the studies of lipid metabolism in the hair follicle conducted by A. V. Samtsov and A. A. Bozhchenko (2007). From the conclusions made by the authors, it follows that the hair follicle is one of the most metabolically active structures of the human body, requiring certain components and energy sources for adequate production of healthy hair. Lipid metabolism in the hair follicle occupies a very important place in the process of formation of integral substances of the hair shaft and can be adequately supported by certain pharmacological drugs. Among the substances that can act as a kind of building material for the structural components of hair and provide energetic support for the processes of synthesis of specific cytokeratins, we can highlight: 6-Od glucose linoleate, taurine, catechins and zinc gluconate [16].

In recent years, many authors have noted the existence of a connection between alopecia and deficiency of a number of microelements. After all, the microelement composition of hair determines its physical properties, shape, color, thickness, elasticity, and growth rate. Hair without sufficient zinc content grows poorly, without selenium and silicon it becomes thinner and brittle, and excess silicon can increase the “wavyness” of the hair. Disorders of copper and manganese metabolism are associated with premature graying of hair [14, 15]. Thus, T. A. Malova (2005) found that all the children with alopecia she examined had a pronounced imbalance of microelements. The author has established a deficiency of the following essential microelements: iron, manganese, copper, zinc, calcium. Selenium deficiency was detected in 100% of children.

Treatment. When complaining of hair loss, a diagnostic program is traditionally prescribed to identify pathologies of the thyroid gland, central nervous system, diseases of the ovaries and adrenal glands, liver, immune system, etc. in order to establish the true cause of baldness. Treatment often begins with external therapy, which consists of applying lotions, balms, masks, gels to the scalp, preparations containing alcohols, tinctures of red pepper, ether, and prescribing electrophoresis of biologically active substances. For oral administration, doctors recommend vitamins C, PP, A, and for injection - vitamins B6, B1, B12. Long-term intake of zinc is recommended (multivitamin complexes, dietary supplements, the composition of which is specially selected for hair treatment). All these methods are well known to practicing dermatologists and cosmetologists, but we would like to focus on more modern medications for the treatment of hair loss.

Recent studies indicate the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines in the treatment of various types of alopecia [4–6]. By complementing traditional treatment, homeopathic medicines expand treatment options. Homeopathy, having existed for more than two hundred years, has proven itself to be an effective therapeutic method, with almost no side effects. Homeopathic medicines activate the body’s reserve forces in a special way and belong to the so-called “regulatory” therapy. The effect of using these drugs is the result of the interaction of the substances that make up them. What they have in common is a regulatory and stimulating effect due to the inclusion of autogenic mechanisms in therapeutic processes. According to the basic principle of homeopathy, homeopathic substances in low potencies act primarily at the physical level on the corresponding organ, focusing on the symptom, which allows them to have a targeted effect on a specific disease. Selencin is a complex homeopathic medicine that includes homeopathic remedies that are effective for various causes of baldness. The effectiveness of this drug in the treatment of diffuse alopecia has been proven by clinical observations [4, 5, 8]. The drug Selentsin is prescribed 8 granules 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals or 1 hour after meals against the background of usual therapy or as monotherapy. Taking the drug should last from 6 to 12 months or more. The breaks between monthly courses are 1–2 weeks. Children under 10 years of age are prescribed 5 granules 3-5 times a day 30 minutes before meals or 1 hour after meals.

Among the modern topical drugs recommended for the treatment of baldness, minoxidil, aminexil and tricosaccharide are currently used. The most interesting substance is a tricosaccharide, marketed under the trade name Foltene Pharma, against hair loss for men and women. An important quality of this medicinal substance is a differentiated approach to the treatment of alopecia in men and women. Foltene lotion for men consists of three active components with synergistic activity: Tricosaccaride + biovitamin complex + Zanthin. Tricosaccaride is a patented active substance consisting of a mixture of six mucopolysaccharides, which are physiological components of the scalp, which allows for complete similarity between the active substance and the scalp. Tricosaccharide has the ability to penetrate the inner layers of the hair follicle and regulates the exchange of nutrients between blood and tissues. The second component is a biovitamin nutritional complex, which is a mixture of vitamins and amino acids. And the last component is Zanthin - an effective antioxidant of plant origin, which is 500 times more effective than vitamin E. Foltene Pharma shampoo for men also contains tricosaccharide, which in combination with lotion enhances the therapeutic effect. Foltene Pharma lotion for women operates on the basis of the synergistic effect of two active compositions: tricalgoxyl (a special substance created from seaweed, rich in polysaccharides) and a biomineral complex.

Thus, diffuse alopecia is a multifactorial disease that is determined by a polygenic system that determines hereditary predisposition and trigger factors that reduce the threshold of this predisposition. The variety of theories of metabolic disorders and their effect on the hair follicle indicates the complexity of the pathogenesis of this disease, which sometimes explains the lack of effectiveness of therapy.

Literature

1. Rook A., Dauber R. Diseases of the hair and scalp / Trans. from English M.: Medicine, 1985. 528 p.
2. Arabian E. R., Mikheev G. N., Moshkalova I. A., Sokolovsky E. V. Baldness. Differential diagnosis. Methods of therapy // Series “Library of a dermatovenerologist”. Vol. 7 / ed. E. V. Sokolovsky. St. Petersburg: SOTIS, 2003. 176 p.
3. Adaskevich V.P., Myadelets O.D., Tikhonovskaya I.V. Alopecia. M.: Medical book; N. Novgorod: publishing house NGMA, 2000. 192 p.
4. Batkaev E. A., Gallyamova Yu. A. Complex homeopathic drug “Selencin” in the treatment of Telogen effluvium // Bulletin of postgraduate medical education. M., 2002. No. 3. P. 42–43.
5. Batkaev E. A., Gallyamova Yu. A., Kantimirova Yu. A. Homeopathic medicines in the practice of a dermatologist: a textbook. M., 2006. 30 p.
6. Gadzhigoroeva A.G., Nechaeva N.P. Application of trichogram to assess the effectiveness of hair loss treatment // II All-Russian Congress of Dermatovenerologists, 2007. P. 52.
7. Gadzhigoroeva A.G. Treatment of patients with telogen effluvium hair loss // Bulletin of Dermatology and Venereology. 2004. No. 4. pp. 43–46.
8. Gotovsky Yu. V., Perov Yu. F. Features of the biological action of physical factors of low and ultra-low intensities and doses. M.: Imedis, 2000. 192 p.
9. Kolyuzhnaya L. D., Mikhneva E. N. Clinical and pathogenetic features of diffuse and androgenetic alopecia // Bulletin of Dermatology and Venereology. 2003. No. 1. P. 25–27.
10. Mazitova L.. The influence of endocrine, metabolic and chemical factors on hair loss and its structure in women // Les Nouvelles Esthetiques. Russian edition. 2002. No. 1. P. 40–42.
11. Malova T. A. The role of disturbances of microelement homeostasis in the pathogenesis of the development of alopecia in children // Problems of dermatovenerology and medical cosmetology at the present stage. Vladivostok, 2005. pp. 111–112.
12. Margolina A. A., Hernandez E. I. Fight for hair. M.: 1999. 102 p.
13. Meng F. M., Oleynikova Yu. V. Modern aspects of the prevalence of hair diseases among the population // Problems of dermatovenerology and medical cosmetology at the present stage. Vladivostok, 2005. pp. 167–170.
14. Skalny A. Hair is the key to the secrets of human individuality // Les Nouvelles Esthetiques. Russian edition. 2003. No. 4. pp. 58–60.
15. Savchenko V. M. Microelements and vitamins in the local treatment of seborrheic alopecia // Natural pharmacology and cosmetology. 2005. No. 4. pp. 18–19.
16. Samtsov A.V., Bozhchenko A.A. Androgenetic alopecia: some aspects of disorders of tissue metabolism of the pilosebaceous apparatus and modern approaches to their correction // Clinical dermatology and venereology. 2007. No. 4. P. 4–8.
17. Suvorova K. N., Khvatova E. G. Clinical aspects of diagnostics in trichology. Experimental and clinical dermatocosmetology. 2005. No. 2. P. 54–57.
18. Olsen EA Hair Disorder // in Fitzpatrik's Dermatology in general medicine // McGraw-Hill. 1999. p. 729–749.
19. Dawber RPR, Martimer PS Hair loss during lithium treatment // Br. J. Dermatol. 1982; 107:124–5.
20. Headington JT Telogen effluvium. New concept and review // Arch. dermatol. 1993; Mar, 129(3): 356–63.

Yu. A. Gallyamova, Doctor of Medical Sciences Al-Hajj Hassan Khaled M. P. Chernyshova RMAPO, Moscow

First signs

It is worth noting that this type of pathology is observed in abundance in females, which is explained by the peculiarities of the processes occurring in the human body, depending on gender. The rarest cases of such disorders were found in children and adolescents. The main symptom of diffuse hair loss in women and men is uniform baldness of the entire surface of the head, along with this, doctors note: 1. Widening of the parting. You can observe a sluggish increase in the epidermal line, or a sharp detection of the lumen of the skin of the scalp. 2. Hertog indicators. In this case, the symptoms are described by thinning of the skin and loss of eyebrows or eyelashes. 3. Deterioration of the condition. The strands often begin to break, get tangled, become significantly dull and change their shade, making it possible to easily pull out a hair.

Please note that if you notice several or at least one symptom, sign up for a consultation with a trichologist and undergo an examination in order to prevent a deterioration in your health.

When does diffuse hair loss develop and how long does it last?

Severe hair loss usually develops on average after 3 months from exposure to the causative factor and can last up to 3-4 months, despite concomitant treatment. Proper hair growth begins after eliminating the trigger factor, and volume restoration occurs according to growth standards, which is about 1-1.5 cm per month. Diagnosis of hair loss is relatively complex: it is necessary to collect a detailed history, exclude possible deficient conditions, conduct a phototrichogram, and, based on the totality of the examination results, prescribe effective treatment.

Diagnostics

When checking for symptoms that contribute to the formation of bald spots, it is necessary to undergo an examination and tests from a number of specialists: trichologist, endocrinologist, dermatologist and gastroenterologist. The presence of central nervous system diseases, endocrine disorders and sexually transmitted infections must be excluded. A visit to specialist doctors will help to display the condition of internal organs and identify the cause of existing indicators of disorder in the functioning of the body. In addition, the patient is required to undergo one of a number of procedures to confirm the conclusion: ● trichoscopy; ● phototrichogram; ● narrowly focused testing for microelements; ● specialized laboratory tests.

There are the following types of elimination of diffuse hair loss and thinning in women: 1. Medicines; 2. Stimulation; 3. Physiotherapy; 4. Folk remedies.

Please note that when trying to cure the appearance of bald spots, traditional recipes can be used only after consultation with a doctor and full confidence that such measures will not harm the patient’s health.

Treatment prognosis and prevention of baldness

Identifying the cause of alopecia and comprehensive treatment allows you to cope with the pathology. The answer is whether hair can be restored depends on a number of factors. Unlike androgenetic alopecia, diffuse alopecia is not accompanied by the death of the bulbs. It is necessary to identify the cause of the pathology and follow all the doctor’s recommendations.

Prevention measures:

• men are recommended to choose practical hairstyles that do not require the use of styling products, a hair dryer, straightening, or elastic bands with strong hold;
• monitor your psycho-emotional state - exercise regularly, walk in the fresh air, balance rest and work, avoid stressful situations, go to bed early and get up early;
• using modern techniques - mesotherapy, darsonvalization courses 1-2 times a year, saturating the follicles with active components will help avoid baldness;
• in the autumn-spring period, take multivitamin complexes, including vitamins C, group B, zinc, magnesium.

Drug treatment

It consists of taking medications with a focus on restoring hormonal levels or eliminating factors that caused the appearance of pathology. Most often used in combination with stimulation. It is achieved using various external means: specialized shampoos, masks and gels. One of the variations of this group of drugs designed to restore the growth of strands is a product called Selencin. The manufacturer offers the use of cosmetics in the form of shampoo, conditioner, spray and lotion, along with medications. The advantage is an integrated approach to treatment: ● Elimination of causes by taking medications; ● Stimulation of curl germination and strengthening, which is provided by lotions and sprays; ● Restoring thickness through the use of masks.

Specialized studies have shown that with constant use of Selencin products, hair loss stops within two months.

Without fail, the doctor prescribes a course of vitamins of groups A, B, C, PP in tablets along with zinc. Another way to stimulate is to take drugs made from plants. The use of such substances as treatment is not available at all times of the year, and is recommended only after testing and individual consultation.

Hair loss: how to determine the causes of the diffuse form

If the trichologist suspects that the cause of diffuse acute hair loss is a disease, he can prescribe consultations with other specialists - a gastroenterologist, neurologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist. The list of additional tests usually includes:

• analysis of thyroid hormones;
• checking the level of hemoglobin and ferritin in the blood;
• analysis of vitamin D levels;
• other hormonal panels.

A competent approach to treating diffuse type of hair loss is complex therapy. It is important to begin treatment of the underlying disease and at the same time take measures to restore hair and stimulate its growth. In the diffuse form, in most cases the following are indicated:

• taking vitamin and mineral complexes to compensate for existing deficiencies;
• normalization of hormonal levels;
• local measures that stimulate hair growth.

Physiotherapy

Such treatment is reflected in the prescription of a set of procedures that do not harm health. ● Iontophoresis; ● Scalp massage with essential oils; ● Microcurrent therapy; ● Mesotherapy.

Undergoing physical therapy has a number of advantages: ● targeted impact with the likelihood of affecting a certain area of ​​the skin; ● does not cause allergies; ● increasing the duration of remission; ● possibility of use in a complex.

In addition, a specialist may suggest the use of infrared rays, nitrogen, paraffin and acupuncture.

Treatment of diffuse form of hair loss

Treatment of the diffuse form of the pathology depends on what led to baldness.

Therapy is always comprehensive; drugs are prescribed that affect the cause of the diffuse disease and also relieve symptoms.

Patients are usually recommended:

1. Products that restore or improve blood supply to the scalp.
2. Vitamin complexes (including individual vitamins that are administered by injection).
3. Herbal preparations.
4. Sedatives.

Treatment is carried out using hardware and injection techniques. Patients receive procedures such as individually selected external products developed by An-Tech Labs specialists, ozone and mesotherapy, low-intensity laser therapy, and plasma lifting. All these procedures can stop the process of diffuse baldness and stimulate new hair growth. In addition, hardware and manual massage sessions can be performed. These procedures also stop the process of baldness and awaken the hair follicles, which triggers the process of new hair growth.

Important! Treatment of diffuse forms of pathology is always selected individually. The general condition of the patient, the presence of concomitant pathologies, the course and stage of baldness are taken into account. If necessary, the patient is referred for consultation to specialists. Endocrinologists, urologists, gynecologists and other doctors may be involved in the treatment process.

Be prepared for the fact that treatment may be lengthy, since alopecia is a complex pathology with many associated factors.

Prevention

Having examined the main causes and methods of treating diffuse hair loss in men and women, we will consider measures to prevent the disease. The development of pathology can be avoided if a number of measures are taken. 1. Watch your diet. 2. Spend proper time on carefully washing your curls and caring for them. 3. Wear hats in summer - to protect from sun rays, and in winter - from temperature changes, and as a result, poor blood circulation to the scalp. 4. Avoid heavy physical activity and stress. 5. Take vitamin complexes in autumn and spring. It is at this time that micronutrient deficiency peaks. 6. Avoid exposure to radioactive radiation. 7. Consult your doctor about the side effects of taking medications. 8. Have a full examination every six months or year. 9. Maintaining the balance of nutrients in the body with proper nutrition. Inclusion in the diet in the required amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. All of these methods affect the strengthening of the immune system, which has a positive effect on overall health. This helps to avoid disruption of the normal functioning of the body.

Stages of development

Diffuse baldness most often occurs in the telogen and anagen phases of hair development, when its basic properties are either formed or disappear. Accordingly, experts distinguish:

• diffuse anagen baldness – occurs under the influence of drugs, radiation or toxic substances. Hair loss occurs very quickly – a day after exposure to a negative factor. The process is reversible and responds well to treatment;
• diffuse telogen effluvium – occurs in acute or chronic form, takes about six months. The reason for this phenomenon is stress, lack of vitamins and nutrients, diseases of viral and bacterial etiology. The condition is reversible: if the influencing factors are eliminated, hair growth is restored.

Stages and signs of diffuse alopecia in women:

• at stage 1, baldness is observed on the central part of the head, without affecting the parietal zone;
• Not 2 stages of bald spots cover the entire head, merging into large spots;
• at stage 3, thinning is noticeable on the central and parietal parts of the head, and the hair is very thin.

Stages of diffuse alopecia in men:

• at stage 1, loss is observed along the frontotemporal line;
• at stage 2, hair thinning on the forehead and temples takes on a symmetrical appearance;
• at stage 3, thinning is observed in the parietal region, and on the forehead it extends more than 2 cm from the outer growth line;
• at stage 4, baldness on the sides of the head becomes asymmetrical;
• at stage 5, the bald patches gradually merge;
• at stage 6, the process begins at the back of the head;
• at stage 7, small amounts of hair remain only near the ears and on the back of the head.

Complications

The worst option is complete loss of hair in the upper area of ​​the skull, and a number of radical measures are used: ● A set of injections; ● Transplantation from other areas of skin with normal vegetation. During injections, the effect occurs on the subcutaneous layer in order to stimulate the follicles for their transition to the growth stage.

Strand transplantation surgery is an effective, but expensive and complex procedure. It usually lasts more than twelve hours. The positive effect can be tracked six months after surgery. A photo of the patient throughout the course of the disease and rehabilitation reflects the effectiveness of treatment procedures to eliminate diffuse alopecia.

If pathology occurs due to factors that can be eliminated, restoration and germination of a full amount of hair will occur much faster than with other causes of the disease.

Advantages of contacting An-Tech Labs

1. Experienced doctors. Our trichologists have been treating the diffuse form of pathology for a long time and know exactly which therapy is effective in each specific case.
2. An integrated approach to treatment. It is achieved through the use of several techniques and drugs at once. Typically, the patient is prescribed both medications and various procedures. They affect the hair from the inside and outside, improve the general condition of the body. Treatment eliminates not only the symptoms, but also the underlying causes of the disease.
3. Individual approach. During treatment, special attention is paid to the patient’s health characteristics, primary and secondary diseases. This reduces the duration of processes and increases their efficiency.
4. Optimal cost of therapy. You can start treatment with us even on a limited budget.
5. No queues. This is achieved by a sufficient number of laboratory personnel.

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Diffuse alopecia will be eliminated by us. In this case, treatment of the pathology will not cause significant discomfort. Back to list of services

Symptoms

Thinning begins gradually

Excessive hair loss occurs when combing and other manipulations

· thinning of hair in any area (on the top of the head, along the central parting, on the temples, etc.)

appearance of round lesions without hair

· in some cases, the disease begins with redness of the skin, the formation of scales, and itching

If you notice excessive hair loss on the scalp, you need to consult a specialist to rule out possible diseases or begin treatment immediately if the diagnosis requires it.

Diagnostics and necessary tests

First of all, an experienced specialist will collect anamnesis, study medical history, and conduct a visual examination. A trichologist determines hair density and examines the skin for the presence of foci without vegetation.

It is necessary to study hormonal levels (thyroid function, hormone levels), as well as a complete blood test.

In addition, it is important to exclude the presence of infectious diseases and disorders of the immune system.

The scalp and hair shaft are also examined under a microscope.

In order to determine a treatment regimen, it is necessary to identify the cause of the disease, which only an experienced doctor can do.