Do you have a deficiency to Vitamin D? Many doctors report that most people today do. Why is that? It may be as simple as the fact that we do not get outside enough to soak up the sun's rays – the best access to this source of nutrients. There are many reasons for this deficiency. But, what is important to know is that the deficiency itself can lead to complications with other components of your health including hair loss. How does Vitamin D deficiency directly impact hair loss, specifically alopecia?
First, What Is Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia?
Frontal fibrosing alopecia, or just FFA, is a type of lichen planopilaris. This is a complex way of describing a type of hair loss that affects the frontal region of the scalp. It often leads to scaring in this area as well. It is most commonly found in women who have gone through menopause and are generally over the age of 50, though it can happen at other life stages as well. What makes it most unique is the symmetrical band of scalp from hair loss that occurs. This typically occurs along the front and the sides of the scalp. In addition to this, it can often cause the loss of a person's eyebrows. In some situations, people develop an edging that looks a bit spare with single hairs left behind in a balding area. It is a significantly obvious look. Luckily, this condition is rather rare.
For those who think they have FFA, it is important to look for those key symptoms and a few others. For example, the skin itself can shed some light onto whether or not an individual has FFA. It is typically normal looking, but can be shiny or pale looking. In addition, there are scars that are oblivious present. When a hair loos professional or doctor takes a closer look at the follicles, it is clear that there is redness developed and, in most cases, scaling.
What's the Cause Behind It?
FFA is a rare condition which means there is not a lot known about the underlying cause of it. The exact cause of FFA isn't known, though a number of research studies are underway to shed more light on this condition. What we do know is that it often comes from an unbalanced immune system. That is, the immune system – which works to fight off illness and bacteria, attacks the skin cells. In this case, it attacks the scalp hair follicles. This causes the follicles to stop producing hair and, in return, leads to scaring.
But, What About Vitamin D?
As noted, this condition is an autoimmune disease, one in which the body attacks its own cells. There is plenty of research to indicate that Vitamin D plays a role in this. Let's explain.
Vitamin D is an important part of the immune system's function. When a person is not getting enough of it on a consistent basis, the autoimmune system stops working properly. In some situations, research even indicates that taking a larger dose of Vitamin D in supplemental form or through natural production can actually work as a type of miracle drug in way it helps to transform the immune system's function.
Considering that Vitamin D plays such an important role in the way that the immune system works, it makes sense that a deficiency in it would directly lead to a "malfunction" of the immune system. That is, when you do not get enough of it, the immune system stops working properly. Could there, then, be a relationship between FFA and this type of deficiency?
Research is still out on whether or not there is a specific link here, but we do know that getting more healthy nutrients into your body, including Vitamin D, can help your hair to grow beautifully. There are other treatment options available for FFA as well. For some people, it may be as simple as getting outdoors to soak up more of the sun's rays to help them to reduce the onset or worsening of FFA. With this type of link, it makes sense to pay a bit more attention to the nutrients you are taking in.
Contact the hair specialists at Unique Hair Concepts to learn more.
