Alopecia

Alopecia is simply the general medical term for hair loss, and alopecia areata is the most common form of an unusual autoimmune skin disease resulting in patchy hair loss on the scalp.  The most uncommon form of the disease is called alopecia universalis, when hair loss extends beyond the scalp to total body and facial hair loss.


Alopecia universalis is considered a skin disease because it occurs on all skin, including the scalp, so it is usually diagnosed by a dermatologist.


Alopecia areata affects approximately 2 percent of the overall U.S. population, or more than 5 million people, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF). In the 1990s, the disease was classified as an autoimmune disease; researchers had found that it is the result of the body producing an inappropriate immune response against itself. And while the cause of this autoimmune disease is unknown, many hair loss specialists have noticed a link between sudden stress and the onset of the disease.

Alopecia universalis is considered a skin disease because it occurs on all skin, including the scalp, so it is usually diagnosed by a dermatologist. Experts agree that as troubling as it is to lose all of your hair, the disease does not include general physical illness, rashes, hives or itching, although exposed scalp and skin areas do require extra care from exposure to the elements, especially the sun.

While NAAF states that there are no FDA-approved treatments specifically for alopecia universalis; there are beautiful medical-grade hair replacement options that are the most natural, comfortable choice for replacing the hair on your client’s head and helping them to feel better about their condition on a daily basis. These include wigs meant to be worn on a completely bald scalp, without slipping. They have a monofilament cap that lets your real scalp show through, as if the hair were growing right out of it. Budget permitting, you can also choose hand-tied knots, which move in many directions just like real hair, unlike machine-made wefts, which move in only one direction.

kayla martell - Alopecia Gemtress hair design for women

Kayla Martell
Miss Delaware 2011

Splendor - Alopecia Gemtress hair design for women