Alopecia diagnosis and treatment
Alopecia is a problem that can affect both men and women. It often begins gradually, and the first symptoms, such as hair thinning, a widening part, receding hairline, or excessive hair loss during washing, are often dismissed.
Early recognition of the type of alopecia allows us to stop its progression and effectively stimulate hair regrowth.
At OpenMed, we diagnose and treat alopecia holistically, combining modern diagnostics, dermatologists' expertise, and supportive therapies.
What are the types of alopecia?
Alopecia is a problem that can affect both men and women. The most common forms are androgenetic alopecia (genetically and hormonally determined), alopecia areata (autoimmune), and telogen effluvium, which appears after stress, illness, or pregnancy.
According to data from JAAD International and Keratin.com, androgenetic alopecia affects approximately 50-80% of men and 15% of postmenopausal women. It is estimated that globally, this type of alopecia occurs in over a billion people worldwide. Meanwhile, alopecia areata affects approximately 2% of the population, with a slightly higher incidence in women. Early recognition of the type of alopecia allows for effective treatment selection and halts disease progression.
Diagnostic tests and tools in alopecia therapy
Effective alopecia treatment always begins with diagnosing the cause. At OpenMed, we use modern skin assessment methods, such as dermatoscopy or videodermatoscopy, which allow us to evaluate the structure of hair, hair follicles, and scalp.
What are the types of alopecia?
Alopecia is not a single disease but a group of different conditions that require different treatments. The most common forms are:
1. Androgenetic alopecia
The most widespread form of hair loss, affecting 50-80% of men and 15% of postmenopausal women. Characteristic symptoms:
- in men: receding hairline and thinning at the crown
- in women: widening part and general thinning without hairline recession
The cause is genetic predisposition and sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
2. Alopecia areata
An autoimmune disease. It manifests as:
- smooth, clearly defined patches without hair
- sometimes loss of eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair (less commonly)
Alopecia areata can be recurrent, so it requires regular monitoring.
3. Telogen effluvium
Occurs after:
- severe stress
- past infections
- childbirth
- deficiencies (iron, vitamin D3, zinc)
- rapid weight loss diets
- hormonal disorders
It is characterized by sudden, uniform hair loss from the entire scalp. It is reversible if appropriate treatment is quickly implemented.
4. Scarring alopecia
A rarer but serious form of alopecia in which hair follicles are permanently destroyed. It may result from dermatological diseases (e.g., lichen planopilaris). Requires immediate diagnosis.
However, diagnosing a specific type of alopecia requires extensive physician experience in this field. For the diagnosis to be correct and treatment effective, the doctor sometimes orders laboratory tests: complete blood count, ferritin level, vitamin D3, thyroid and sex hormones. This allows detection of deficiencies, hormonal disorders, or autoimmune diseases, which are often the cause of excessive hair loss.
Our specialists
Alopecia diagnosis and treatment at OpenMed is provided by dermatologists with experience in scalp disease therapy:
- Katarzyna Małkińska, MD, PhD, dermatologist
- Natalia Gabzdyl, MD, dermatologist
Diagnostic tests and tools in alopecia therapy
Effective alopecia treatment always begins with proper diagnosis. At OpenMed, we use modern techniques that allow precise assessment of the cause of hair loss. We use modern skin assessment methods, such as dermatoscopy or videodermatoscopy, which allow us to evaluate the structure of hair, hair follicles, and scalp.
Dermatoscopy and videodermatoscopy - what are these tests?
A dermatoscope is a device that magnifies the skin image and helps assess:
- condition of hair follicles
- inflammatory activity
- hair miniaturization
- presence of comedones and seborrheic changes
A videodermatoscope provides:
- very high magnification (even 200-400×)
- photo recording and time-based comparison
- therapy progress monitoring
These are key tools in diagnosing androgenetic, telogen, and areata alopecia.
Laboratory tests
For treatment to be effective, the doctor may order:
- complete blood count
- ferritin level and iron
- vitamin D3
- TSH, FT3, FT4
- androgens (testosterone, DHEA-S)
- prolactin
- glucose and insulin
- tests for autoimmune diseases
Results allow us to determine whether alopecia results from deficiencies, hormonal disorders, stress, or thyroid diseases.
Alopecia treatment: pharmacotherapy and supportive therapies
The treatment plan is established individually, depending on the type of alopecia. In treating androgenetic alopecia, minoxidil is most commonly used - a preparation that improves scalp blood circulation and stimulates hair follicles - and finasteride - a medication that inhibits the effect of hormones on hair follicles in men.
In the case of alopecia areata, treatment focuses on reducing the autoimmune reaction - glucocorticosteroids, immunomodulatory medications, or mesotherapy supporting hair regrowth are used. Supportive therapies also include platelet-rich plasma (PRP), needle mesotherapy, or carboxytherapy, which improve scalp nutrition and stimulate natural hair growth.
Alopecia - trichological treatments
In treating alopecia, some trichological treatments also bring very good results, which the doctor selects individually according to the patient's needs, depending on the diagnosis and chosen treatment method.
Scalp care and dietary guidelines
Appropriate care and diet are very important in supporting the alopecia treatment process. It is recommended to use gentle shampoos without SLS, regular scalp cleansing, and massages that improve microcirculation. The diet should be rich in protein, iron, zinc, biotin, and vitamin D3. It is worth avoiding restrictive diets and deficiencies that intensify hair loss. Our specialist doctors help select appropriate supplementation and home care.
Alopecia treatment: comprehensive patient care
At OpenMed in Warsaw, we provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of various types of alopecia: from androgenetic, through areata, to telogen effluvium. We combine dermatological knowledge with modern trichological therapies to help patients regain healthy, strong hair. If needed, especially when excessive hair loss has a stress-related or emotional basis, we also provide psychological consultation. This allows us to care for the patient's health in a holistic way.
Other dermatology services
We invite you to familiarize yourself with other dermatology services available at our Medical Centre:
Have you got questions? Get in touch with us - 22 100 45 20 or 22 100 46 20.
You can check the cost of alopecia diagnosis and treatment in our price list.
Sources:
- JAAD International (2023) – Epidemiology of androgenetic alopecia
- Keratin.com – Global prevalence of androgenetic alopecia
- Scandinavian Biolabs (2024) – Hair loss statistics: updated global data
- Academic OUP (2023) – Global, regional and national epidemiology of alopecia areata