Customers can ask all kinds of crazy questions about their hair, but sometimes, it can be beneficial to know a few medical hair conditions in case you run into something serious. For example, in the past I have been asked to examine a customer’s scalp and offer my opinion on random bald spots. When this occurs, it is almost always Alopecia Areata.
For those that don’t know, Alopecia Areata is a type of hair loss which occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. The cause is currently unknown. Here are some photos to check out…
Alopecia Areata is most common in people under 20, but it can happen to anyone at any age. Men and women are equally affected.
Most Common Signs
The most common symptom is round, smooth, hairless patches on the scalp, but other common signs include:
- total hair loss
- hair loss of scalp and body
- thinner hair without noticeable patches
In some cases fingers and toenails of those affected may become pitted or look like sandpaper.
Treatment
Treatment of this condition is out of our scope of practice and your client will have to seek the care of a physician. The most common treatment is through many injections of corticosteroids, although the research to support the efficacy of this remedy is limited. In some cases topical corticosteroids may also be indicated or a combination of Rogaine and topical medication.
In conclusion, I know that it is out of our normal scope of practice to diagnose as we are not doctors, but it is important to have knowledge of hair and scalp pathologies so that we might provide our clients with helpful suggestions and advice. It’s great for building up your clientele base because it shows that you care and that you are knowledgeable in your field. I hope this helps everyone to gain a better understanding of this common ailment and to utilize this information to help others.
Follow Hair Unity for more tips, news, and trade talk on Twitter.
