Hair loss is a very common condition that is a major problem and cause for concern for the patient. The medical term for hair loss is alopecia, in which patients experience hair loss, poor hair quality, thinning hair and bald areas on the scalp. Alopecia may be limited to small areas or may be expressed over the entire scalp.

Treatment with medicines

Hair loss, poor hair quality and thinning or completely bald areas on the scalp are medically known as alopecia. It is a common condition which is a major problem and a cause for concern. Hair loss is due to many factors among which genetics, hormonal imbalances, certain diseases, medications and stress play a more important role. Although an accurate diagnosis is sometimes very difficult, a dermatologist, with the help of information on the course of the hair loss and an examination of the scalp, can identify the causes and start treatment.

The most common cause is related to the action of androgen hormones on the hair follicles, leading to their progressive reduction and the appearance of baldness. Therefore, in the initial phase of treatment, we use a lotion with minoxidil and systemic therapy with antiandrogens.

Treatment with own platelet-rich plasma or PRP method

Recently, the use of platelet-rich plasma therapy has also gained popularity. The latter is a fraction of blood from which red blood cells or erythrocytes are removed by centrifugation. This leaves the blood platelets, which, after the injury, help the blood to clot and release a number of growth factors that stimulate skin healing, the formation of new capillaries and intercellular tissue. Concentrated platelets (PRP) are used in orthopaedics for cartilage repair, in plastic surgery for faster and more beautiful healing of skin and chronic wounds, and in dermatology for the treatment of certain skin diseases. In recent years, as mentioned above, a growing body of evidence has also emerged on the action of PRP in stimulating hair growth. They are most effective in the initial phase, when the hair follicles are still preserved. Three PRP treatments spaced a few weeks apart are usually sufficient to see an improvement in the thickness of the hair shafts and an increase in hair density, with the effect lasting for about a year, after which a repeat treatment is recommended.

Circular hair loss or Alopecia Areata

Circular hair loss or alopecia areata is also relatively common, in which autoimmune inflammation acts on the hair follicle. Depending on the prevalence of baldness, there are also several types of baldness. In the vast majority of cases, one to a few bald spots are observed, which appear suddenly. Treatment of the individual areas is usually not necessary as they grow back within one to three months.

We decide to use dilute corticosteroid injections if there are several bald patches and they are merging into each other. If all the hair on the scalp falls out and the eyebrows, eyelashes and hair (alopecia totalis, alopecia universalis) are also affected, treatment is very difficult and mostly unsuccessful. The best results are obtained with contact eczematogen therapy, which is carried out in two stages: firstly, a sensitisation to a specific allergenic substance is carried out on one of the forearms, and after two to three weeks, it is applied in a very dilute form once a week to a specific part of the scalp. A mild eczematous reaction is expected, with slight redness, itching and peeling of the skin. The reason is changing of the inflammatory cell type and the consequent suppression of the autoimmune inflammation against the hair follicles. Once the most appropriate amount of allergen has been identified by gradually increasing the concentration, the treatment is continued at home once a week. The success of the therapy is evaluated after several months.

Photo gallery

Before and after 10 months of treatment with medication and PRP therapy.

Androgenic alopecia lasting 6 years — before and 9 months after starting treatment with medication.

Before and after 1 year of treatment for androgenic alopecia with medication and three PRP therapy sessions.

Appointments and further information

To book an appointment, contact us Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00 on the following telephone number: 064 12 80 15 or send an e-mail: info@derma-rogaska.si