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Causes of Alopecia Areata Related Hair-loss: Is It Genetic?
Alopecia is the medical term that is used most often to convey any type of hair-loss. There are numerous types and causes of each respective type of alopecia. Alopecia areata most commonly refers to hair-loss in men, women, and children whose symptoms are perfectly round, smooth, bald patches on the scalp or body. These symptoms sometimes, but very rarely, present themselves along with other auto-immune disorders such as: thyroiditis, diabetes, and vitiligo.
While not previously attributed directly to genetics, a July study released by Columbia University and published in The New York Times links 8 genes to the hair-loss condition alopecia areata. According to the study’s report, one of the genes, ULBP3, was found in high concentrations within the hair follicles of the study’s alopecia areata patient participants and is thought to be the “messenger” gene that signaled the body to assail its hair and signal its fall-out.
While scientist can’t yet attribute all of alopecia areata’s symptoms to actions of these genes, they are hopeful that the study has revealed a promising discovery about the condition that may facilitate development of future medical treatment options for hair-loss: the alopecia areata related genes behave much like the genetic messengers involved in other auto-immune conditions such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Therefore, dermatologists and hair-restoration specialists like Dr. Edmond Griffin may soon be able to better treat the historically unpredictable condition and its symptoms more effectively. If you’re interested in learning more about hair-loss or the treatment of hair loss visit The Griffin Center for Hair-Loss Restoration and Research’s website, subscribe to their blog, or become a fan on Facebook.
Part 2 Causes of Hair-loss: Repeated Pulling Leading to Childrens Hair Loss
In our previous blog post detailing the causes of hair-loss we discussed the role of genetics and its contribution to the development of androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. Often, for children who exhibit hair-loss, the causes might not be as simple as genetics. For a small percentage of children ages 6-12 (mostly tween-age) a behavioral condition known as trichotillomania may be to blame for areas of hair-loss.
Most commonly referred to as “hair-pulling disorder,” or sometimes “trich,” this ailment is driven by a compulsion that causes children and adolescents to pull strands of hair from their scalp and occasionally their eyebrows and even body. The condition often begins with children wanting to continually twist their hair and place it in their mouth. While the condition has been greatly dramatized for plot development on episodes of FX’s Nip Tuck and Showtime’s Nurse Jackie, if the neurosis continues, the child may begin to pluck the strands of hair and leave balding or stubbly areas of hair with differing thicknesses across the scalp. This is different from the perfectly rounded, completely bald circles caused by the genetically linked alopecia areata.
Physicians see a majority of trich patients recover fully from the condition and re-grow their missing hair completely, with no need for medicine or surgery, by ceasing the pulling behavior. However, Dr. Edmond Griffin of The Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research warns that patients, especially children, must be properly diagnosed before any hair restoration treatment is approached. It’s important to note that hair-restoration therapy to remedy the effects of this type of behavior are only viable options for patients who have completely stopped the repeated action of pulling for at least 1 year.
To learn more about stress related hair loss in men, women, or children and the non-surgical hair-restoration options contact our office, visit our website, or subscribe to our blog.
Dermatology Associates of Atlanta’s Specialty Centers Continue Summer Savings
Dermatology Associate’s of Atlanta’s Skin Medics™ Medical Spa wants to help you keep that healthy summer glow with continued specials and a free gift. You can also stay up-to-date on the latest specials offered through DAA, Skin Medics™, or The Griffin Center by visiting their websites.
Part 2 of Dr. Griffins Series on PRP Technology: Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy Used in Skin Rejuvenation of the Face and Neck
Published in the May issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy has proven itself effective in face and neck rejuvenation. As we discussed in our introduction to our blog series on Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, PRP utilizes the healing power of isolated platelets from a patient’s own blood (much like the autographs used in the effective treatment of male-pattern baldness) to aid in the rejuvenation of soft tissues and bone several body systems. Dr. Griffin is especially hopeful about the potential benefits PRP therapy may bring to hair restoration patients.
During the course of the three month study, 23 patients were given monthly injections of their own centrifuge-obtained platelets into areas of depression or small wrinkles on their faces and/or necks. The results of the PRP injections were chronicled through a series of photographs taken with a dermoscope camera: allowing study coordinators to highly magnify the treatment areas progress. The results of the study show exciting promise for future use of PRP therapy in skin rejuvenation procedures. The study’s participants (whose results were a mixture of ratings derived from self assessment and doctor observation) showed best results in the improvement in skin homogeneity and texture (a 33% increase) and reduction in priocular wrinkles (30% reduction of crow’s feet.)
The study’s results are not only of interest to Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Specialists like Dr. Griffin, but also point to potential refinement in the facial fillers (like Botox® and Dysport®) and dermal injectables (like Restylane® and Juevederm®) cosmetic surgeons use to relax wrinkles and fill-in areas that naturally lose volume with age. This emerging research field is changing daily so stay in the loop by reading Dr. Griffins blog or visiting his website regularly.
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