6 Myths About
Alopecia That Might Surprise You
Hair lost due to alopecia areata is gone forever, and you can't do anything about it.
2
Alopecia causes every single one of your hairs to fall out.
1
If you manage
your stress levels, you can manage alopecia.
4
Alopecia areata
is a sign of cancer.
3
Alopecia areata happens because your immune system is weak.
5
Your hair care routine is make or break for
managing alopecia areata.
6
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Not all alopecia is created equal. There are several types of alopecia, and they cause different patterns of hair loss. Alopecia areata causes patchy hair loss. It sometimes progresses to alopecia totalis or universalis, which can cause the total loss of hair across your scalp or your whole body. But those two are pretty uncommon — only 5% to 10% of cases, according to some research.
Myth #1: Alopecia causes every single one of your hairs to fall out.
Alopecia areata can be pretty unpredictable. You may have spontaneous periods of hair loss and regrowth, especially in your first year with the condition. Fear not: Your doctor can help you decide on the best treatment to encourage hair regrowth, and there are a few to choose from. But even if your hair regrows, it might fall out again.
Myth #2: Hair lost due to alopecia areata is gone forever, and you can't do anything about it.
Patchy hair loss might seem like a side effect of cancer treatment, but let's say it louder for the people in the back: Alopecia areata isn't a sign of cancer. Certain cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, attack cells that grow quickly. This is helpful when they find fast-growing cancer cells, but your hair cells can get caught in the middle. In alopecia areata, your immune system messes with your hair follicles.
Myth #3: Alopecia areata is a sign of cancer.
While it's true that life's stressors can trigger alopecia areata, becoming stress-free won't necessarily stop your hair from falling out. Stress isn't the only cause of alopecia — the condition can happen even if you're totally zen. Your immune system, genetics, and environmental factors all play a role.
Myth #4: If you manage your stress levels, you can manage alopecia.
Your immune system is involved in alopecia areata, but that doesn't mean it's weak. You could actually say it's working overtime. Many experts believe that alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition. That means it causes cells in your body that usually protect you from getting sick to target your hair follicles instead, resulting in hair loss.
Myth #5: Alopecia areata happens because your immune system is weak.
If only regrowing your hair were as easy as swapping in a new shampoo. Good grooming alone can't reverse alopecia areata because the condition starts beneath your skin. Using a lot of dyes, chemicals, or heat on your hair will likely cause hair breakage (and might even irritate your scalp), but this won't really affect hair loss related to alopecia areata.
Myth #6: Your hair care routine is make or break for managing alopecia areata.
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