Do you love your beard but have noticed that it’s not as full as it used to be? Are you worried about losing it entirely? If so, you’re not alone. Beard alopecia is a common condition that affects men of all ages and can have a profound impact on your self-esteem. While the exact cause of this condition is unknown, there are several factors that may contribute to its development.

What is Alopecia Barbae?

It is a type of facial hair loss. This condition can result in patchy hair growth or complete baldness in the affected area. While beard alopecia is not life-threatening, it can be emotionally devastating for those suffering from it. In addition, the disease can make it difficult to grow and maintain healthy follicles. 

What causes beard hair loss?

Facial hair growth can be hindered by a variety of factors. Face hair may eventually cease to grow due to trauma, surgery, or other factors. In some cases, it may grow back spontaneously. In other cases, facial baldness is permanent.

There are some reasons for it:

• Hormonal imbalances: An underlying cause of facial alopecia is believed to be hormonal and immune-related. During this process, the human body attacks follicles and results in the loss of hair. While beard hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors, one of the most common is low testosterone. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics, and low levels can lead to a number of health issues, including beard alopecia.

• Genetics: In many cases of this disease, genetics plays a role. This condition often affects men who have a family history of baldness. Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes baldness, is also a possible cause of this disease.

• Medical condition: There are certain medical conditions that can trigger beard loss, such as thyroid disorders or autoimmune diseases. This can be a frustrating experience for those who are used to having full, thick follicles.

• Stress: Though the exact cause of alopecia barbae is unknown, one thing is for sure: stress can play a major role. When you’re stressed out, your body releases cortisol, which is a hormone that can interfere with the growth of follicles. This can lead to thinning or even complete baldness of the beard.

• Age: As men age, they may start to notice a gradual thinning of their facial hair. This is normal and is not usually cause for concern. While some men may experience a more drastic thinning as they get older, most will only see a gradual thinning.

How Alcohol & Unhealthy food Causes Beard Loss

We all know that drinking too much alcohol can have negative consequences on our health, but did you know that it can also lead to baldness? When consumed in excess, alcohol can cause a number of problems that lead to alopecia, including:

Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urination and causes dehydration. Dehydration leads to dry skin, which in turn can cause the follicles to become damaged and fall out.

Vitamin A deficiency: When you consume too much alcohol, it prevents the body from absorbing enough vitamin A, which can lead to dry, brittle hair that is more susceptible to breakage.

Liver damage: The liver is responsible for detoxifying the body and removing toxins from the bloodstream. When the liver is damaged by excessive alcohol consumption, it cannot function properly and this can lead to a build-up of toxins in the blood, which can lead to baldness.

In addition to alcohol, unhealthy food can also contribute to beard loss. Some of the ways unhealthy food contributes to hair loss include:

 Poor circulation: Unhealthy foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol can clog the arteries and prevent proper blood circulation. This can starve the hair follicles of vital nutrients and oxygen needed for healthy growth.

 Hormonal imbalance: Unhealthy foods can cause a hormonal imbalance in the body, which can lead to an increase in testosterone levels. High levels of testosterone are believed to contribute to male pattern baldness.

If you want to maintain a healthy beard, it’s important to limit your alcohol consumption and eat a balanced diet full of healthy foods. By doing so, you’ll be providing your body with the nutrients it needs for optimal growth.

How to treat facial hair loss?

If you’re experiencing an aforementioned problem, there are a few treatments to avoid alopecia. One option is beard transplantation, which is a surgical procedure that involves taking the follicle from one area of the scalp and transplanting it to the area of the face where hair is thinning or receding. Another option is medication, which can help to slow down or stop the progression of hair loss.

Beard Transplantation

The hair follicles are transplanted in groups of 1-4 follicles, called “follicular units,” which helps to create a natural-looking result. The surgery itself takes about 2-3 hours, and recovery time is typically around 2 weeks.

It can be an effective treatment for facial hair loss, but does have some risks involved, such as infection and scarring areas on the head (see how to treat scarred scalp area). Furthermore, beard transplantation is a relatively newly developed procedure, but surgery has a high success rate.

Medication

There are two types of medication that are commonly used to treat facial hair loss: minoxidil and finasteride. Minoxidil is a topical medication that is applied to the scalp twice daily, and it works by promoting follicles growth. Finasteride is an oral medication that is taken once daily, and it works by inhibiting the production of DHT, which is thought to play a role in hairlessness. Both minoxidil and finasteride are effective treatments for this disease, but they do need to be used consistently in order to see results. Additionally, there are some potential side effects associated with both medications, such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

We recommend talking to your doctor about the best course of action for you. At Talizi Hair Transplant Clinic, we offer both medication and surgery (transplantation) treatments for hair loss. Talizi doctors would be more than happy to discuss their services with you and answer any questions you may have.