Everyday each of us lose about 50 to 100 hairs, but if you’re experiencing more than that or if you notice patches of baldness, that could be a sign that you are in the beginning stages of hair loss. While hereditary hair loss is a common type that over 80 million men and women in the United States suffer from, there is a type of hair loss that is on the rise, which is alopecia areata.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own hair follicles. This causes smooth, round patches of hair loss on the scalp and other places on the body. While most people will see hair regrow, some individuals have treatments done that help regrow hair more quickly. Even when your hair grows back, you can lose it again. There is no cure for this disorder and the effects can be a devastating blow to one’s self-confidence.
Pharmaceutical companies have been working hard to find a remedy that will help men and women affected by this disorder. Two companies, Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. are both in the process of testing a new drug which will be the first FDA-approved drug to treat alopecia areata.
Mid-stage trials for Concert Pharma’s drug were put on clinical hold by the FDA this week to request more data. This is a setback, but safety concerns were not raised. Aclaris Therapeutics says it has recently started mid-stage trials.
Currently there are options for those who suffer from alopecia areata which include hair care products that contain minoxidil, and FDA-approved ingredient that can stop hair loss and stimulate hair growth. There is also laser hair therapy that stimulates hair follicles to promote hair regrowth. There are also medical wigs that look incredibly natural and are designed feel comfortable all day. If you suffer from alopecia, you are not alone and until there is a cure available, you do have choices to restore your hair and your self-confidence.