Humans lose around 100 hairs every day. For most people this doesn’t become a problem because other hair follicles are entering the hair growth phase and growing new hair. Hair loss occurs when follicles begin to spend more time in the resting phase or become fully dormant.

Dr. Barrera helps patients from Houston and the surrounding areas deal with their hair loss through platelet-rich plasma injections into the scalp or through hair transplantation.

In this springy March blog, let’s get into what’s behind that hair loss in the first place.

What is alopecia?

Alopecia simply means hair loss, either partial or complete. It has various causes and some of them can be reversed. When that’s not possible, Dr. Barrera transplants hair follicular units taken from the back of the scalp (the area that is resistant to alopecia) to the areas where the thinning is occurring.

What causes alopecia?

There are different causes for hair loss. Each has a different definition.

• Androgenic alopecia — This is male or female pattern baldness. It is the most common form and is hereditary.
• Telogen effluvium — This is sudden hair loss that is usually linked to trauma or shock. It can occur in women after childbirth. This is temporary.
• Anagen effluvium — Hair loss associated with chemotherapy.
• Alopecia areata — This form of alopecia occurs when your body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles. It creates patchy hair loss.
• Alopecia totalis — This is total loss of scalp hair. Like areata, totalis is also caused by immune system attack.
• Scarring alopecia — In this rare form, scar tissue replaces hair follicles so the hair lost cannot grow back.

What are the early signs of alopecia?

It’s important to catch alopecia/hair loss in the early stages because hair follicles that have only recently become dormant have a much better chance of returning to growth phase. This is where Dr. Barrera’s PRP injections can bring those follicles back into the growth phase.

These are some signs:

• Gradual thinning on the top of the head. Men tend to lose hair as it recedes from the forehead. Women retain their hairline, but their part broadens.
• Circular or patchy bald spots. These are coin-sized balding spots. The skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.
• Sudden loosening of hair. This is usually a response to emotional shock. Handfuls of hair may come out with combing or washing your hair.
• Full-body hair loss. This is usually a response to medical treatments. The hair will usually return.

Are you experiencing hair loss and feel that your hair is thinning? Call Dr. Barrera at (713) 468-5200 and let’s talk about PRP injections or hair transplantation. He can move 1500 to 2500 hair grafts in a single session to reverse your thinning.