Is Your Hair Falling Out? 3 Tips To Help With Alopecia So You Can Regain the Hair You Love

Is your hair falling out?

Do you scratch your scalp only to end up with patches of hair in your hand?

Then, you might have alopecia.

One of the many causes of thinning hair and gradual hair loss is alopecia.

More than 1/3 of Black women and 17 percent of Black girls between the ages of 6 and 21 suffer from alopecia. 

If you spot the warning signs of alopecia early enough and you can increase the changes of doing something about it.

My hope for you is that with time, patience and loving care that your hair will be restored to its former glory. 

In this article, I will cover a few options for Black women struggling with alopecia (hair loss). 

Are you ready for all the tea on how to treat alopecia? 

#1) Develop A Healthy Hair Care Regimen 

One of the things that you can start doing today to help with your alopecia is to develop a healthy haircare routine. This is something that we can all do. 

The often starts with ways that you wear your hair.

As much as we love protective styling, extensions, and wigs, if you’re wearing them too often then you could be putting repeated stress on your scalp, which can lead to traction alopecia.

Traction alopecia is one of the most popular forms of alopecia that impacts Black women and is often caused by anything that pulls on the hair, ultimately damaging the root and can lead to scarring and permanent hair loss.

Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor how much hair you’re losing in between styles. That way, as you monitor it, you can start to lessen hair loss right in its tracks. 

A healthy haircare regimen also includes have a healthy diet. This means that you get enough protein, vegetables, and the essential nutrients that are needed to support hair growth.  

But let's face it . . . it can be hard to get the recommended amount of nutrients that your hair needs, which is why taking hair vitamins are an important component to a healthy hair routine.  Also, drinking at least your body weight in fresh water each day is important, too. 

A healthy haircare routine also includes using using products that can help promote hair growth. Using effective hair oils like the PureFix Elixir are important to moisturizing your scalp.

However, when you use hair oils it is essential that you also massage your scalp to increases blood circulation to your follicles and in return stimulates them and makes hair grow out thicker.

As you develop a healthy haircare regimen, I want you to know that . . . 

#2) Get Hair Replacement

Some cases of alopecia require additional treatments.

Depending on the severity of your alopecia and you're continuing to not see regrowth, then it is possible that you may have permanent damage to your hair follicles. 

However, it is important that you first see a doctor or dermatologist who can confirm whether or not this is the case. 

If your hair damage is permanent, then it may be worth talking to a dermatologist about the possibility of a hair transplant, which may effectively mask alopecia.

Here's how it basically works: Hair transplants remove hair grafts from healthy areas of the scalp for placement to thinning or bald areas.

Single hair grafts provide the replacement for the hairline, with multiple-strand donor grafts filling in the balance of balding areas. 

Because this is a more invasive solution it is very costly. Depending on where you go, the estimated to cost could be between $4,000 and $15,000. Ouch! I know that is a lot, which is why a lot of people opt for other solutions. 

However, depending on the severity of your hair loss you may be able to utilize temporary solutions such as hair fibers, that can be sprayed onto the hair for a more natural and fuller look or hair prosthetics (custom wig units).

#3) Prescriptions and Over-The-Counter Medications

I want to be very clear that I am not a medical or health care professional.

Therefore, I recommend that you first and always talk to your doctor and dermatologist before taking any medications. 

According to Web MD, there are certain medications that you can put on bald patches. Check with your dermatologist for more details. 

There are also steroid shots that dermatologist can give you in their office to help with alopecia. 

Dermatologist can also administer something called topical immunotherapy.  This is when a dermatologist applies chemicals to your scalp to treat excessive hair loss.  Doctors can also prescribe medicine such as antibiotics to treat inflammation that is associated with alopecia, especially traction alopecia. 

#4) Embrace It

This may be difficult to embrace but your hair may not grow back. 

While there are solutions that may restore your hair, the other alternative is to embrace your condition and wear a short or even shaved style. 

I know this can be a hard reality for many women to face. But there are many Black women who wear bald or shaved hair cuts . . . and they look absolutely amazing. 

The natural hair movement has given many women the courage they needed to ditch the wigs and go natural. 

If this is your choice, remember what India Arie said, “I am not my hair” and be confident while rocking your short, natural cut. 

If you’re considering doing "The Big Chop" then there are many ways to wear your TWA (teenie weenie afro) with confidence.

You are a beautiful person and remember . . . 

In Closing 

Hair loss can be a very devastating experience, however the options we have today to treat and even mask this condition has improved over the years. 

Do your research, find credible professionals who can diagnose your condition and love your hair– regardless of the stage that it’s at.