Alopecia areata
Patchy hair loss with round bald areas, often autoimmune. Can affect children and adults. Assessment and treatment are tailored to extent and course.
Read more about alopecia areataHair diseases and alopecia
Medical overview of alopecia and other hair diseases – for those who want to understand causes, diagnosis and evidence-based treatment.
Hair loss is often a medical issue, not only an aesthetic one. The right diagnosis early on makes a major difference for which treatments are possible.
Read more about conditions that affect hair, hair loss and treatments.
Hair loss as a medical condition
More than aesthetics
- A medical condition – it may be caused by disease or imbalance in the body
- A symptom – hair loss can be a sign of something that needs investigation
- Something that requires treatment – cosmetic solutions alone are not always enough
Why consult a dermatologist?
- Diagnose specific conditions – identify the type of hair loss or hair disease
- Understand underlying causes – from autoimmunity to inflammation and hormones
- Start the right treatment – medical treatment based on diagnosis
Common hair diseases and patterns
Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA)
Progressive hair loss on the forehead and temples, most often in middle-aged women. Often benefits from early action to preserve follicles.
Scarring (cicatricial) alopecia
In scarring alopecia, follicles may be replaced by scar tissue. FFA is one form of primary cicatricial alopecia; other causes can include inflammation, infection or trauma. Early diagnosis is crucial.
Read more about scarring alopeciaAlopecia in the beard (alopecia areata barbae)
Patchy hair loss in the beard area can be caused by an autoimmune reaction that creates one or more round, completely bald patches. The condition can be periodic and sometimes the hair grows back spontaneously.
Typical symptoms
- –Round, clearly defined bald patches in the beard
- –Often painless and without itching
- –May appear suddenly and change over time
Why does it happen?
- –Autoimmune mechanism: the immune system attacks the hair follicles
- –The exact cause is often unknown; genetic factors may contribute
- –Stress can sometimes trigger or worsen the condition
Assessment & treatment
A medical assessment is important to confirm the diagnosis and choose the right path: wait and monitor, anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive treatment or strengthening measures such as PRP in selected cases.
Contact us for consultation if you see new patches or if the symptoms change.
Important to know before beard transplantation
If patchy beard hair loss is caused by alopecia (autoimmunity) rather than genetic sparseness, the condition may change over time. Surgery is therefore planned only after medical assessment and when the condition is considered stable. Read about beard transplantation.
Scalp inflammation that can cause hair loss
- Folliculitis – inflammation around hair follicles
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis – oily, irritated scalp
- Psoriasis – can cause scaling and affect the hair
- Eczema – different types of eczema can involve the scalp
Why early diagnosis matters
- Prevent permanent damage before follicles are completely lost
- Slow down or stabilise the progression
- Preserve hair that still has active follicle function
The treatment path depends on whether the problem is autoimmune, hormonal or inflammatory – structured diagnostics is therefore central.
Akacia Medical – combined medical and surgical expertise
We combine medical work-up with modern hair surgery when indicated – so your plan is both safe and realistic.
- Licensed doctors focused on hair and scalp
- Experience with many types of hair loss and hair diseases
- Continuous education and evidence-based updates
Medical treatment
- –Immunomodulating medication for autoimmune conditions
- –Hormonal evaluation and targeted treatment when needed
- –Anti-inflammatory strategies for scalp inflammation
- –Topical preparations adapted to the diagnosis
Surgical options
- –Hair transplantation when follicles are lost and suitable donor hair is available
- –FUE and other methods after medical assessment
- –Combination of medication and surgery in selected cases
When should you seek care?
- Sudden or rapidly increasing hair loss
- Round bald patches or atypical patterns
- Itching, burning, redness or scaling of the scalp
- No effect from expected treatments or worsening symptoms
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hereditary hair loss and a hair disease?+
Hereditary hair loss often follows a pattern, while hair diseases such as alopecia areata often appear as patchy hair loss or are linked to inflammation in the scalp.
How is alopecia diagnosed?+
Through clinical examination, scalp analysis (trichoscopy) and, when needed, skin biopsy or blood tests to rule out underlying causes.
Want a medical assessment?
Book a free consultation and we will review your history, how the hair loss looks and which investigations are reasonable.