What is alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which sudden, localised hair falls out. The body then rejects healthy hair follicles. This results in bald, round or oval spots in the hair. Typically, alopecia areata always occurs very suddenly, where other types of hair loss tend to occur over a longer period of time. Alopecia areata can also spread to other places on the body such as the beard, chest, eyebrows or arms.

About 2 in 100 people (2%) will suffer from alopecia areata during their lifetime, so it is more common than you might think. It can occur at all ages and in both men and women. In most cases, alopecia areata occurs in people aged 15-30, more than half of whom are under 20 years old. Alopecia areata can also occur in children, sometimes even when they are very young. Alopecia areata can also spread. Because of this, gradations have been defined.

The three gradations of alopecia areata:

• Alopecia areata: this is the 'spotty' baldness, which can occur anywhere on the body.
• Alopecia totalis: especially the hair on the head no longer grows.
• Alopecia universalis: there is no hair left on the body at all. From hair on the head, to eyelashes, armpits and in the pubic area.

How to recognise alopecia areata?

The bald patches are often round or oval and the size of a coin. They can also grow larger and appear in places other than the head. Alopecia areata cannot always be recognised by the same symptoms. Sometimes people experience a burning or itching sensation around the bald spot, but this is far from common. Also, 80% of people usually have only a single bald spot, where others, on the contrary, have several bald spots spread over the head.

How does alopecia areata arise?

It is not entirely clear what causes alopecia areata. The most likely explanation is that it is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body's immune system gets confused and attacks its own cells. In alopecia areata, the hair follicles are attacked. It is therefore more common in people who already have an autoimmune disease. You may have heard that the bald patches are caused by not enough vitamins or by stress. But this is unproven and very likely untrue. According to the Dutch interest group; Alopecia Vereniging, in 70 to 80 per cent of cases the hair growth recovers within a few months to a year.

When does alopecia areata stop?

The hair loss with alopecia areata is often temporary (i.e. in most people the hair grows back), but the duration can vary quite a bit and new patches can appear every time. Our products are not specifically formulated for autoimmune diseases, but have been shown to be able to help improve and accelerate hair growth.

The course of alopecia areata is unpredictable. In most cases, the hair grows back on its own. This can take several months to years. Hairs may return in one place, but develop new bald patches elsewhere. Sometimes it disappears and reappears years later.

In the case of small bald patches, the hair usually recovers completely. In cases of extensive alopecia areata, where all the head or body hair has disappeared, hair growth often does not come back permanently or completely.

There is less chance of the hair coming back if:

• The condition started in childhood.
• Other autoimmune diseases are present or run in the family.
• There is a predisposition to eczema, asthma or hay fever.

Treatment for alopecia areata

It is essential that alopecia areata has been diagnosed by a GP or dermatologist before embarking on any treatment. Furthermore, there are several treatments available that can help improve and accelerate hair growth in alopecia areata:

• Laser Therapy: Low Level Laser Therapy with the Theradome laser helmet offers a proven good chance of new, stable hair growth. Although no specific study has been done among people with alopecia areata, there is a lot of evidence that laser therapy can help. It is an effective and safe treatment, approved by the US FDA. Moreover, the Theradome laser helmet is very pleasant and easy to use. The initial costs may be higher, but in the long run they are lower and laser therapy has no side effects.

Theradome LH80 PRO laser helmet

Treatment with the Theradome ensures the growth of new, healthy hair, doubling the hair follicle size of existing hair, slowing and stopping hair loss

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• Lotion: A hair growth-stimulating lotion, such as Neofollics lotion, can help with alopecia areata. This lotion contains several mechanisms of action to improve hair growth and has little to no side effects. Neofollics lotion is a further developed version of Minoxidil, which is known to help people with alopecia areata. Many customers with alopecia areata have reported positive experiences with Neofollics lotion.

Neofollics lotion

Neofollics lotion contains a high concentration of 10 proven active ingredients combined in the Neoxyl hair growth complex. Hair growth molecules Adenosine, Vividine and Aminexil Six powerful plant extracts including Ecklonia cava and Raspberry ketone Peptides that improve scalp blood flow and inhibit inflammation

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• Shampoo: We recommend combining the lotion with Neofollics shampoo, possibly supplemented with Neofollics conditioner, to help the hair grow healthier and take optimal care of the scalp. It is important to use the shampoo at least three times a week and apply the lotion twice daily. A combination of products ensures a more powerful effect and a greater chance of new hair growth.

Neofollics shampoo

Contains 1% Piroctone olamine, also effective against dandruff seven powerful plant extracts including Ecklonia cava and Raspberry ketone the hair growth molecules Caffeine and Niacinamide Argan oil and Cinnamon oil to care for the scalp and hair

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Neofollics conditioner

Contains many high-quality ingredients in a high dosage, making this a rich, conditioning conditioner. The conditioner nourishes the hair, cares for the scalp and thus provides healthier, stronger and shinier hair. In addition, the conditioner has a hair growth stimulating effect.

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Developments in the treatment of alopecia areata

Developments are underway in the treatment of alopecia areata. A drug has been approved by the EMA (European Medicines Agency) for its treatment in 2022.

The solution here seems to be found in so-called JAK inhibitors. These are drugs that are currently prescribed for people with rheumatoid arthritis. The active ingredient baricitinib inhibits the action of certain proteins (Janus kinase, hence JAK) that fight inflammation. What researchers found was that this drug turns off the signal that activates an autoimmune attack. This also gave a demonstrable positive effect for people who suffered from patchy baldness. The EMA considers it proven that the drug interrupts the signals that enable hair loss in alopecia areata.

Learn more about it here:

• Medicine found to treat 'alopecia areata'
• More information on JAK inhibitors