Against alopecia there are no miracles, yes solutions. And each patient has his own

With the arrival of spring, many of us notice how our hair begins to fall more abundantly, more than normal. The problem is how to discern between a seasonal and completely normal fall or a hair loss that is signaling a real hair problem, a possible alopecia.

We talked about all this with to know when we should go to a hair professional and what other aspects we should take into account when choosing a treatment or solution to the problem.

Hair grafting has been experiencing a real revolution in recent years. Many are those who bet on it to solve their alopecia problems. Is it always the best solution?

Not always, because it is not a valid solution in all cases or for everyone. The first thing we must know is the cause that is causing the problem. For example, if a patient begins to lose hair as a result of an autoimmune disease, stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, exhaustion, a poor diet … a graft would not be the solution because, even if we took it to out, the hair would keep falling out. Finding and knowing the cause is essential to stop the problem. That is why it is so important to carry out a previous study of the hair and all the necessary tests that lead us to a diagnosis, before opting for a treatment. Miracles do not exist, no matter how well they try to sell them to us. There are solutions, but always adapted to each specific case.

And what would that first step be to discover the cause that causes hair loss?

Request the help of a professional, a trichologist. Your advice is key. We must be wary of those centers in which the patient is cared for by a salesperson or personnel not specialized in hair health. They cannot recommend a treatment or a hair solution if a detailed study has not been carried out before, if we do not have a diagnosis of the problem, if we do not know what we are fighting against … It is not serious, and we are probably wasting our money.

And what is the role of the trichologist?

In the first consultation, he is the one who analyzes the hair and performs (or requests) the necessary tests that will lead us to the diagnosis. Only then can we recommend the appropriate treatment or solution in that specific case to stop the loss and recover the lost hair. The trichologist or trichologist also accompanies the patient throughout the process, from beginning to end, advising him at all times and checking the evolution of the hair.

Are there more effective treatments than others?

The effectiveness of a treatment will always depend on whether it is just the most suitable for the patient and for the pathology or pathologies that they present. There are no more effective and less effective treatments. The important thing is to find the right one. Something that is helping us in many cases to determine which treatments are most appropriate for each patient is the hair genetic test. It is a very simple test that gives us information about how the patient will react to different drugs or ingredients. Thus, we will be able to know if that patient will react better to antiandrogen treatments or, on the contrary, if we will have to bet on other types of treatments, such as vasodilators. It is a great help in finding the key to the problem causing the fall.

So, when would a hair graft be recommended?

When the patient has been diagnosed with Androgenetic Alopecia (also known to all as common baldness). Whenever it is feasible, betting on a graft is a good choice, since it is a natural and long-lasting solution. There is no probability of rejection, since the hair is that of the patient himself. And the results are very good, and they begin to be seen after a few months. What is important, before doing it, is that the surgeon can define the design with the client and talk with him about the real (maximum) results that he will be able to achieve. Sometimes there are expectations that cannot be met, so it is essential to speak and explain to the patient the real results after the capillary micrograft, how much hair will be able to recover after the intervention. You have to be transparent at all times.

There are two techniques (FUSS and FUE) of hair grafting. How do you know which one to choose?

Let’s say that the FUSS technique is especially recommended for patients with more advanced Androgenetic Alopecia. In this technique, a strip of scalp is removed from the back of the neck. From there, the follicular units that the surgeon will later implant in the areas to be repopulated will be extracted and classified. For its part, the FUE micrograft technique is indicated for less advanced alopecia, in its early stages. It is also often used to recover eyebrow and beard hair or to cover scars, and with very good results.

And whether we opt for a graft or another hair treatment, do we have to continue caring for or treating our hair in a special way at home?

Of course, it is the ideal. Especially with the appropriate topical treatment products (anti-hair loss shampoos and ampoules, masks, serums, hair scrubs …). The important thing is that the product is the right one for the patient’s hair type and problem (and many of us don’t even know what type of hair is ours). A good home treatment that reinforces the treatment applied in the clinic will make the results more effective and long-lasting. And there, too, the advice of a hair specialist is essential.