The term “alopecia” means hair loss. It can happen due to a myriad of reasons. Some of them include illness, surgery, medication, tight hairstyles, stress, and autoimmune disease.
Many women choose to take corticosteroids injections for hair loss treatment, especially for alopecia areata. This hair loss condition is characterized by scalp and follicle inflammation, which lets hair fall off.
The steroid shots reduce inflammation and let hair regrow. The medication used in the injection is generally triamcinolone acetonide.
Types of hair loss treated by corticosteroid injections
- Alopecia areata – an autoimmune disease in which immune cells attack the body’s own follicles.
- Traction alopecia – hair loss caused due to tight hairstyles, leading to pulling of hair roots.
- Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) – it refers to ‘slow and silent’ hair loss starting from the center of the scalp (Central), traveling away from the center (Centrifugal), and causing scarring (Cicatricial) hair loss (Alopecia). It is mostly found in African American women.
- Discoid lupus: a scalp skin disorder that causes discolored patches on scalp and hair loss.
Corticosteroid injections are not for treating:
- Telogen effluvium
- Advanced traction alopecia
- Male and female pattern baldness
How it’s done?
Getting corticosteroid shots is a quick thing. The doctor will do it in office within 20 minutes.
You might feel a bit discomfort. Doctors use distraction techniques and numbing medications to minimize discomfort.
Number of injections required depends on the severity of hair loss. You may need from as little as 2 shots to as much as 50 shots to treat your condition.
Generally, doctors recommend only one shot per month. However, your doctor may advise for more in a month depending on your condition.
You can resume your normal routine right after getting the shot.
Results
Every case is unique. People notice hair regrowth differently. Some may notice just after one shot of corticosteroid, while others may have to wait for several months and several shots.
The way your follicles respond to the corticosteroid medication depends on the type of alopecia you suffer from. Your genetic hair growth rate and severity of hair loss also matter.
You need to be patient when taking corticosteroid injections for hair loss treatment.
Please remember
Steroid shots are not a cure for alopecia areata, inform doctors.
The injections resolve a patch temporarily or permanently. Yet, the nature of this condition is such that it can return after some time, either at the same area, or a new area of scalp.
The injections cannot prevent alopecia areata from returning.
Meanwhile
While you are taking injections, you can also discuss with your doctor regarding nutritional deficiencies and how to correct them.
Supplements like KeraViatin Hair & Scalp Health Supplement and others can help correct any deficiency and nourish scalp from within. This can boost hair regrowth. KeraViatin consists of vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, and phytonutrients required for healthy hair growth cycle.
Last but not the least, please discuss with your doctor regarding risks involved with corticosteroid injections. The doctor will evaluate your overall health condition first and then decide whether you are a candidate for corticosteroids.
Pilar Floyd
As a reputed and popular name in the field of trichology, Pilar Floyd has many followers. She writes for many popular hair care blogs and websites to share her expertise and experience in various aspects of hair growth and hair care.
