SMP for Alopecia

There are several types of alopecia including androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), alopecia areata (patches of hair loss), telogen effluvium (temporary shedding), traction alopecia (from hair pulling), and scarring alopecias.

Each type has different causes and treatment approaches. Androgenetic alopecia is hormone-related, while alopecia areata is autoimmune. Proper diagnosis is essential before starting any treatment.

The right treatment depends on your specific type of alopecia, pattern of hair loss, and medical history. What works for one person may not work for another.

I recommend consulting with a dermatologist or trichologist who can properly diagnose your condition. They’ll consider factors like the progression of your hair loss, family history, and any underlying health conditions before recommending treatments.

Medicare generally doesn’t cover cosmetic treatments for hair loss, but may cover consultations and treatments if hair loss is related to a medical condition.

Private health insurance coverage varies significantly between providers and policies. Some may offer partial coverage for certain treatments when medically necessary. I suggest checking with your specific insurance provider about what’s covered under your policy.

Most hair loss treatments require at least 3-6 months of consistent use before you’ll notice significant results. Hair grows approximately 1cm per month on average.

Patience is crucial when treating alopecia. Some treatments like minoxidil might cause temporary increased shedding before new growth appears. Regular progress photos can help you track subtle changes that might not be immediately obvious.

Medications like finasteride can cause decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, or depression in some men. These effects typically resolve when treatment stops.

Minoxidil may cause scalp irritation, unwanted facial hair growth, or initial increased shedding. Corticosteroids can lead to skin thinning with prolonged use. Each medication has a different side effect profile worth discussing with your doctor.

Nutritional deficiencies in iron, zinc, biotin, and protein can contribute to hair loss. Addressing these through diet or supplements may help improve hair health.

Stress management, regular exercise, and adequate sleep can also positively impact hair growth cycles. However, these lifestyle factors are generally supportive measures rather than primary treatments for genetic or autoimmune hair loss conditions.

Treatment costs vary widely. Prescription medications might cost $50-150 monthly. PRP treatments range from $400-800 per session, with multiple sessions required.

Low-level laser therapy devices cost between $500-3000 as a one-time purchase. Ongoing dermatologist consultations typically cost $150-300 per visit, with potential Medicare rebates. Some treatments require lifelong use, affecting long-term costs.

Research on natural remedies is limited. Some studies suggest rosemary oil may be comparable to minoxidil for certain types of hair loss. Saw palmetto may help with pattern baldness.

However, natural doesn’t always mean safer or more effective. I recommend approaching natural remedies with realistic expectations and ideally discussing them with your healthcare provider to ensure they won’t interfere with other treatments.

Dermatologists are medical doctors specialising in skin, hair and nail conditions. They can prescribe medications and perform procedures like biopsies or injections.

Trichologists specialise specifically in hair and scalp health but typically aren’t medical doctors. They often focus on non-medical approaches and hair care. For comprehensive treatment, sometimes working with both provides complementary perspectives.

Stress can trigger or worsen certain types of alopecia, particularly telogen effluvium and possibly alopecia areata. The body’s stress response can push hair follicles into a resting phase.

While stress management techniques like meditation, exercise, and therapy may help prevent stress-related hair loss, they typically won’t reverse genetic pattern baldness. For stress-induced shedding, hair often regrows naturally once the stressor is addressed.

Be sceptical of products promising dramatic results quickly or claiming to work for all types of hair loss. Legitimate treatments typically have modest, gradual effects.

Look for products with published clinical studies in reputable medical journals. Check if they’re approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration. Be wary of before/after photos that appear manipulated or testimonials that seem too good to be true.

For androgenetic alopecia, most treatments like minoxidil and finasteride only work while you’re using them. Discontinuing treatment typically leads to returning to your natural hair loss progression.

Treatments for autoimmune alopecia like alopecia areata may potentially be stopped after remission, though relapses can occur. Each case is unique, and your treatment plan may evolve as your condition and needs change.

Normal shedding involves losing 50-100 hairs daily spread evenly across the scalp. These hairs are typically full-length with a white bulb at the end.

With alopecia, you might notice pattern thinning, distinct bald patches, excessive shedding beyond normal limits, or broken hairs. Changes in hair texture, scalp inflammation, or itching can also indicate a problem requiring professional evaluation.

Women can use minoxidil, but the prescription medication finasteride is generally not recommended for women of childbearing age due to potential birth defects.

Women may benefit from treatments addressing hormonal factors like spironolactone or birth control pills. Diagnosis for women is often more complex, potentially involving hormone panels and addressing thyroid issues or iron deficiency that may contribute to hair loss.

AK inhibitors are showing promise for alopecia areata, with Olumiant (baricitinib) recently approved in Australia. Exosome therapy and stem cell treatments are emerging options.

Research into Wnt pathway activators for pattern baldness is ongoing. Hair cloning technologies are in development but not yet commercially available. I recommend following updates from reputable dermatology associations for information on new treatments as they emerge.

During your consultation, I’ll take a detailed medical history and examine your scalp under magnification to assess hair density, follicle health, and scalp condition.

We’ll discuss your hair loss timeline, family history, diet, lifestyle factors, and current hair care routine. I’ll explain your options honestly, including potential results and limitations. At Foli Sim, we provide a supportive environment where all your questions are answered without pressure.

It can work well cosmetically. Pigment is applied across the bald patches and feathered into the surrounding hair so the sharp boundary between skin and hair is softened and the patches become far less obvious. It does not treat the autoimmune condition itself. The main consideration is stability: patches that are actively appearing and resolving make it harder to plan a lasting result, which we will discuss with you honestly.

Yes, and in some ways complete loss is more straightforward to plan than patchy loss, because there is no existing hair to match and no changing pattern to work around. The artist creates an even follicle pattern across the whole scalp and designs a hairline from scratch, giving the appearance of a closely shaved head. Shade and hairline design carry the entire result, so artist experience matters a great deal here.

Regrowth is common in alopecia areata, and it does not ruin the work. The pigment sits in the skin between follicles, so returning hair grows through it normally. Depending on how much regrows and where, the area may look slightly denser than surrounding scalp, which can be rebalanced at a later session. If regrowth is likely in your case, your artist may recommend a lighter initial density.

Often, yes. If patches are actively changing month to month, any pattern applied now may not match your scalp in six months. Where loss has been stable for a reasonable period, or where it is extensive and unlikely to reverse, planning is much more reliable. We would rather advise you to wait than treat at the wrong moment, and we will say so at consultation.

Yes. Where there is no remaining hair to reference, your artist designs the hairline around your face shape, age and how you want to present, mapping it on your scalp and reviewing it with you in the mirror before any pigment is applied. The front edge is deliberately softened and irregular so it reads as natural stubble. A free digital simulation can be prepared beforehand so you can see the proposed shape.

Only its appearance. SMP is a cosmetic procedure that changes how the scalp looks; it does not act on hair follicles, the immune system or the underlying cause of your hair loss, and it will not encourage regrowth. If you have not had a diagnosis, we would strongly encourage you to see a dermatologist first, as different types of alopecia call for very different medical approaches. If you would like a view on the hair loss itself before you decide, contact us: Kate Dawes, our lead artist, is a registered trichologist with the International Association of Trichologists and can advise.

In principle yes, but coordinate it. Treatments such as topical corticosteroids, intralesional injections, minoxidil or JAK inhibitors may change your coverage over the following months, which affects how the SMP should be planned. Some topicals also need to be paused around a session while the scalp heals. Tell your artist exactly what you are using and follow your doctor's advice on whether the scalp is suitable for treatment.

Traction alopecia, caused by prolonged tension from tight styles, typically shows as thinning along the hairline and temples. Where follicles have been permanently damaged and hair will not return, SMP can shade the affected areas and rebuild the appearance of a fuller line. Results are best when the tension has been stopped long enough for the area to stabilise, and we will assess whether that has happened.

In many cases, yes. Where patches are surrounded by healthy hair, the artist parts the hair to reach the scalp and works the pigment into the patch, feathering the edges so there is no visible border. Shaving is only necessary if the loss is extensive enough that a uniformly short overall look gives the better result. Your artist will explain which approach suits your pattern at consultation.

We recommend it. Different types of alopecia require different medical approaches, and a proper diagnosis from a dermatologist tells you whether your loss is likely to be temporary, whether treatment could restore hair, and whether the scalp is in a suitable condition for pigment. SMP will still be available afterwards. Coming to us with a diagnosis in hand also lets us plan the design around your realistic outlook. If you are not sure where to start, contact us first: Kate Dawes, our lead artist, is a registered trichologist with the International Association of Trichologists and can talk you through what to ask.

The realistic outcome is the appearance of a closely shaved or evenly stubbled scalp, with a defined hairline and no stark contrast between bare skin and hair. It will not look like grown hair with length, and it will not restore hair you have lost. For many people with extensive alopecia that shift, from patchy and conspicuous to even and deliberate, is the point. A free digital simulation shows you the likely result first.