What You Need To Know About Hair-Loss Products If You Have Alopecia

According to the Mayo Clinic, alopecia is an autoimmune condition that causes temporary or permanent hair loss from the head or the whole body. This disease doesn't occur overnight, but it may cause the hair to fall out in patches. Males may notice thinning of hair on their scalp, causing the hairline to recede. Women may have a broader parting or a gradual receding hairline. It's also possible that alopecia may lead to several circular patches of hair loss on the head. 

Alopecia affects people of all ages, but it is usually detected as early as adolescence (via MedlinePlus). Statistics reveal that alopecia affects 1 in every 500 to 1,000 Americans. The National Alopecia Areata Foundation further states that alopecia affects about 6.8 million people in the U.S., whereas the lifetime risk is around 2.1%. Although there are different types of alopecia, the most common is androgenetic alopecia or age-related male/female-pattern baldness, per MedlinePlus. There is no cure for alopecia. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, your doctor might prescribe certain medications, therapies, or surgery to regrow your hair. Additionally, you can try some anti-hair loss products.

One of the most popular and best products for alopecia is minoxidil. Per Healthline, minoxidil is directly applied to the scalp once or twice a day and shows remarkable results for hair growth.  "Topical minoxidil can help in some cases of minimal alopecia areata, but if there's active inflammation, it's unlikely to make a considerable difference," warns dermatologist Dr. Lindsey Bordone while speaking to Everyday Health.

You may also want to be mindful of your hair loss products if you have alopecia. Alopecia shampoos can cause wonders for your hair, but you can't just use any shampoo or conditioner without first considering its composition. Per WebMD, not all shampoos for alopecia may suit your skin. Some might contain irritants that may lead to inflammation or rashes on the scalp. However, most alopecia shampoos are good to use in your daily routine. In fact, WebMD states that men may need to apply these hair loss shampoos at least twice a day for noticeable results. If you don't have access to alopecia-friendly hair products, you can try some popular home remedies. For instance, Healthline suggests adding a few drops of rosemary or germanium oil to your shampoos.