How to Manage Alopecia: 4 Tips

4 Tips for Managing Alopecia

Alopecia can be a devastating condition. Seemingly out of nowhere, your hair starts falling out in large chunks. It can be startling and depressing for many people who suffer from this condition. Luckily, there are ways you can manage your condition while living with alopecia to help slow your hair loss. While there is no miracle cure for alopecia, help and treatment is out there. Keep reading to learn more about how to manage alopecia, including how an alopecia clinical trial can help you.

Managing Your Stress

Managing your stress is an important aspect of living with alopecia. This can be difficult because alopecia itself can be very stressful. However, stress can have many effects on overall health and, while it is not connected as a cause of alopecia, it is certainly a trigger.

Hair growth involves three stages. In growth (anagen), strands of hair push through the skin. In degeneration (catagen), hair ceases to grow, and the follicle at the base of the strand shrinks. In rest (telogen), hair falls out, and the process can begin again. Hair is among the few tissues that mammals can regenerate throughout their lifetime.

Stress can cause hair loss in people who do not have alopecia. Studies surrounding stress and hair loss have revealed that corticosterone prevented the dermal papilla from secreting GAS6, a molecule they showed can activate hair follicle stem cells. Delivering GAS6 into the skin restored hair growth in mice fed corticosterone or undergoing chronic stress.

Change Your Diet

Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet can help slow hair loss. This includes incorporating more fruits and veggies, whole grains, healthy fats, and protein such as chicken and fish. Avoiding inflammatory food, such as processed food, red meats, alcohol, and sugary drinks can help, as well.

Protecting Your Hair and Scalp

Protecting your scalp is an important aspect of living with alopecia. Avoiding harsh chemicals and using gentle shampoos and cleansers are important. In addition to wearing sunscreen on your scalp in exposed areas, you also want to make sure you protect your scalp from UV rays by wearing a head covering, scarf, or hat while out in the sun. If you are losing your eyebrows and eyelashes, make sure you wear sunglasses while outdoors.

Try an Alopecia Clinical Trial

If you want to try something new for your Alopecia symptoms, Dermatology Clinical Trials is looking for you!

Our friendly medical staff is waiting to pre-qualify you over the phone by calling (682) 332-4943. We will explain the process in full and go over the Informed Consent Form so that you are completely knowledgeable about the trial itself, the process, and everything involved.

If you prequalify, we will set an appointment to meet with you in person to finalize your eligibility for the study. If you meet all the guidelines, you will be asked to join!

Participants will enjoy: