Alopecia: Prevent, Treat & Reverse with Cryotherapy

Alopecia areata is a relatively common autoimmune disease that causes unpredictable hair loss. Hair loss usually occurs in small patches, although complete hair loss on the head and body is possible. For most people with alopecia, hair loss is nothing more than a few patches.

Alopecia, like all autoimmune disorders, is a malfunction in the body’s immune system. In alopecia, white blood cells mistakenly attack cells in hair follicles, leading to mild to severe inflammation. This inflammation causes hair to fall out and to dramatically slow down hair production. As with all autoimmunities, it is not known what causes the body’s immune system to target hair follicles. Genetics may play a role, as alopecia is more likely to occur in a person who has a close family member with the disease. The idea that stress is the cause is not supported by scientific evidence.

Alopecia hair loss can be sudden, developing in just a few days or over a few weeks. There may be burning and/or itching, which are indicators of inflammation in the follicles.

Medical intervention to treat alopecia areata usually involves corticosteroids to suppress inflammation in the hair follicles, allowing hair to regrow. Steroids may be injected locally, applied topically, or taken orally. If the inflammation is suppressed quickly, most people can make a full recovery. If the inflammation lingers, hair loss can become permanent. Roughly 30 percent of people with alopecia find that their condition either becomes more pervasive or becomes a continuous cycle of hair loss and regrowth. The key to permanent recovery is permanent reduction of inflammation!

Local and whole-body cryotherapy can suppress acute and chronic inflammation in hair follicles. For severe cases, whole-body plus local cryotherapy is recommended; for mild cases, local cryotherapy may be sufficient to suppress disease symptoms. Cryotherapy works by constricting the blood vessels in the hair follicles, pushing inflammation outward. The burning and itching associated with the onset of alopecia may subside immediately; over time, with consistent cryotherapy, hair regrowth should occur. Cryotherapy treatment can also stop hair loss—so if a person with a history of alopecia notices the onset of symptoms, using cryotherapy may prevent hair loss.

Cryotherapy represents a viable, safe, and potentially highly effective treatment for alopecia. It is non-invasive, drug-free, and relatively inexpensive. Alopecia can affect individuals of all ages—including children. Cryotherapy is a great alternative to drug therapy, especially for children. Treatment takes between 3 and 5 minutes and actually feels great! Unlike steroids, there are no known negative side effects of cryotherapy.

Treatment recommendations will depend on the severity of symptoms…for more severe cases, the treatment protocol may include daily cryotherapy treatments for up to 31 days. For milder cases, 5 consecutive days may be sufficient for symptom relief.

ChillRx is committed to helping our clients live better lives—with non-invasive, drug-free, effective treatment options. Alopecia is one form of autoimmune disease that can be mitigated with cryotherapy—nearly all other autoimmune disorders involve uncontrolled inflammation and therefore may also improve with cryotherapy treatment. Please call us to learn more!