Alopecia Correction: Trichology Basics for Permanent Makers

The possibility of a problem such as alopecia (complete or partial absence of hair in those areas of the skin where they usually grow) has nothing to do with a person’s age and gender, that is, it happens to both men and women.

As a rule, the causes of alopecia are a genetic predisposition to this, body problems, that is, an imbalance, as well as various kinds of injuries that lead to skin damage and as a result of which the hair follicle is destroyed.

But now the problem of eyebrow alopecia can be dealt with without much effort, using the capabilities of modern permanent makeup.

Of course, it is important to understand that permanent makeup cannot be called a treatment. This is the so-called masking, which consists in drawing a pattern on the skin of the eyebrows, which most naturally imitates natural hairs or the scalp. This is really the best way out if you can not solve the problem with the help of treatment.

The presented article is an exclusive translation of the material published on the website of the international journal for micropigmentation specialists PMU International. Magazine of Permanent Makeup. Original article - link

According to statistics, about 80% of people experience hair loss at least once in their lives. Moreover, every year the number of men and women who need the help of a trichologist is increasing. This is not surprising, given the fact that hair is a kind of indicator of human health. Poor environmental situation, stress, malnutrition, and bad habits often lead to malfunctions in the body.

The sooner a person suffering from hair loss goes to the doctor, the more effective the treatment will be. However, sometimes people refuse to listen to specialists who believe that their initial baldness is just a natural process of hair loss. So, how to determine whether this process is natural or pathological?

Hair growth phases

Throughout its life, the hair follicle goes through several stages, which are repeated in the following cycles:

• the anagen phase is a phase of active growth of hair follicles, which lasts an average of 2-6 years. Cells in the hair root rapidly divide and increase in size. Gradually, the hair follicle reaches its maximum length, which is 3 times longer than in the resting phase;
• the catagen phase is a short transitional stage that occurs at the end of the anagen phase (this is a signal about the end of active hair growth) and lasts about 2-3 weeks;
• telogen phase - a period of rest or rest of the hair, the hair follicle rests for three months. Fluffy hair falls out. All hair that remains on the brush or falls out during the day is telogen hair. After three months, the follicle returns to the anagen phase and new hair begins to grow.

Typically, people lose 50 to 100 hairs per day. In other words, about 90% of hair follicles should be in the anagen phase, 9% in the catagen phase, and only 1% in the telogen phase.

Studies show that excessive hair loss corresponds to a change in the above ratio: a decrease in the percentage of hair in anagen and catagen, but an increase in the percentage of telogen hair. If you notice that the amount of hair falling out during the day has increased dramatically, then know that this is the first sign of a deterioration in the condition of your hair. In people who are not prone to baldness, each new hair does not differ in thickness, potential length and other characteristics from the previous ones. But in balding, each new generation of hair decreases in thickness, color (brightens), the growth rate and duration of the anagen phase decrease. Ultimately, healthy hair gradually degrades to vellus and colorless hair.

Alopecia: types and causes

Alopecia is a pathological hair loss that leads to noticeable thinning or complete baldness. In this case, more than 10% of the hair follicles are in the telogen and catagen phases.

Androgenetic ( or pathological ) alopecia is a genetically determined disorder that is caused by the effect of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) on the hair follicles. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of alopecia in men (in 95% of cases). Affected areas usually include thinning of hair in the frontal and parietal regions. Female pattern baldness is less common and is characterized by a decrease in the density of hair in the central part of the head, with the preservation of the frontal hairline.

Diffuse alopecia is a violation of the hair growth cycle, usually caused by various diseases, hormonal imbalances, stress; this can happen after taking certain medications, a strict diet, as well as exposure to radiation, chemotherapy, etc. This process involves an increase in the rate of hair loss and subsequent thinning from the entire scalp. This type of alopecia is more common in women than in men. The prevalence of diffuse hair loss is second only to androgenetic alopecia.

Alopecia areata , also known as alopecia areata, occurs in 0.05–0.1% of the population. This type of baldness is an autoimmune disease, the hair follicles are not recognized by the body as its own cells. As a result, round and oval bald patches appear on the head and on the body. Quite often, alopecia areata causes ulcers, splits, lines, spots, or other changes to the nail plates.

Scarring alopecia accounts for 1-2% of all types of hair loss. The main reason is damage to the follicles: they are replaced by scar tissue. This type of alopecia can occur due to an infection, but most scars form as a result of trauma, burns, or post-surgery scars. This is an irreversible form of alopecia.

Correction methods

As a rule, the problem of hair loss can be effectively solved with the help of special medicines, external agents, physical therapy, as well as by changing daily routines and diet. However, in cases of scarring alopecia or in the advanced stages of androgenetic alopecia, finding a solution is not so easy. In the first case, the scarred area completely prevents hair growth, in the second case, the pores of the follicles will be covered with connective tissue within 10-12 years. In such situations, the treatment does not give the desired result, however, the problem of alopecia can be solved even in very difficult cases with the help of correction.

There are two types of correction: surgical (hair transplantation) and aesthetic (trichopigmentation). In addition, these two methods often complement each other, allowing professionals to achieve amazing results in combination.

Tricopigmentation is a method of dermopigmentation of the scalp that creates the illusion of hair on thinned or bald areas. This technique has been popular since 2008 and has firmly occupied its niche in the market. A variety of techniques allows specialists to mask bald patches, visually increase hair density and hide scars after hair follicle transplantation, facelift or head injury. This type of correction does not conflict with the treatment of alopecia; therefore, it can be used as a service for people undergoing the process of hair restoration after transplantation.

It is important to note that trichopigmentation is not the same as permanent makeup. The skin on the head is thinner and drier than the skin on the face, and this requires the use of special pigments and equipment. Thus, the trichopigmentation master must undergo a special course that covers all the features of the technique.