Autoimmune Disease And Hair Loss

While male and female pattern baldness remain the most common forms of hair loss, they are far from the only cause of it. Today we’ll be focusing on autoimmune disease and hair loss. It is very common for an autoimmune disease to have some form of manifestation present on the skin, which can mean hair loss. So, which autoimmune diseases can cause that?

What Autoimmune Diseases Can Cause Hair Loss?

A number of autoimmune diseases specifically cause certain forms of alopecia, which is the cause of hair loss. This can manifest in ways that cause or do not cause scarring of the scalp. The hair loss could be patchy or localized.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which hair loss is common. There are different forms of lupus which cause different kinds of hair loss. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), for example, causes alopecia in about half of those affected and often causes scarring which creates more difficulty when trying to restore hair. Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is more often non-scarring.

Alopecia areata is another autoimmune disorder that causes your body’s immune system to mistakenly treat your hair follicles as foreign entities which need to be attacked to defend your body. Millions of people around the world experience alopecia areata at some point in their lives. It is still not entirely understood… but is presumed to be the result of a combination of both genetic and environmental factors.

Can You Stop Autoimmune Hair Loss?

Autoimmune disease related hair loss can be stopped or slowed down if the disease in question is able to be properly treated. It is important to get a diagnosis sooner than later. Often in the case with lupus, for example, hair loss is one of the early signs of the disease. Alopecia areata can also be treated more effectively with an early diagnosis.

Is Autoimmune Hair Loss Reversible?

Yes, it can be reversible in some instances. It is possible that this can happen all on its own. Unfortunately, there is also the chance that it will regrow and then fall out again. A hair restoration specialist may also be able to help expedite the regrowth process by recommending certain products (such as those with minoxidil) though all hair follicles are at risk with autoimmune conditions. We also use DeRive® for its anti-inflammatory benefits, which can help with autoimmune conditions.

Helping You Find The Best Path To Having The Hair You Deserve

Although hair loss from autoimmune diseases can be temporary, that is not always the case. Additionally, causes of hair loss – including hereditary male or female pattern baldness – can compound with hair loss from other sources, which will require professional intervention to restore the affected hair.

For patients who would benefit from a hair transplant, we have the only ARTAS® Robotic Hair Transplant System in Oregon. Its cutting-edge AI software that allows consistent analyzing, monitoring and tracking of each individual hair follicle providing accuracy and speed. And for a limited time, we are offering free personalized consultations – a $250 value! Contact us today and start your journey towards hair restoration.