Top hair loss expert and new treatment pioneer, Dr. Alan J. Bauman, discusses how new hair and scalp cranial prosthetic hair replacements made with 3D-printing are offering new hope to alopecia sufferers.

September is National Alopecia Areata Awareness Month and it’s an important opportunity for those suffering from alopecia areata and other less common types of hair loss, like cicatricial alopecia, to get educated about effective new hair restoration options that can help.

According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, over 6.8 million people in the U.S. have, had or will develop alopecia areata at some point in their lives. An autoimmune disease, alopecia areata causes the body’s immune system to attack the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. Depending on the type and severity of the alopecia, sufferers may experience small bald patches on the scalp that spontaneously regrow, or it may progress to full cranial hair loss called alopecia totalis or total body hair loss, otherwise known as alopecia universalis.

“While medical treatments for hair loss have advanced dramatically over the last few decades, there is no true cure for alopecia areata,” explained top hair loss expert and new treatment pioneer, Dr. Alan J. Bauman, founder of Bauman Medical Group in Boca Raton. “For those who suffer from less common hair loss conditions like alopecia areata and cicatricial (scarring) alopecia, traditional medical treatments are not effective, leaving patients with very few options and little hope for a normal life.”

To combat this problem, the hair loss community recently developed advanced “cranial prosthetics” that can conceal patchy or full scalp baldness in cases where it can’t otherwise be treated. A leading product in the cranial prosthetic category is the CR-Lab CNC Hair Replacement System, which uses 3D-printing to perfectly design and conform the prosthetic to the patient’s exact cranial measurements, skin type and other specifications. According to Dr. Bauman, cranial prosthetics may be covered by some health insurance companies.

“For men and women who are not candidates for transplantation and other medical treatments, the CR-Lab CNC Hair Replacement System does an amazing job of restoring a full and natural-looking head of hair,” Dr. Bauman explained.

Case Study: “Claudia C. ” Alopecia Totalis

Claudia first became ill with alopecia areata in 1993, which caused her to lose all of her hair. After seeking treatment for her sudden hair loss, Claudia was informed that because alopecia areata is a genetic and autoimmune disease, there is no cure, and few medical options exist for treating the condition.

After wearing wigs for nearly 20 years, Claudia heard about the CNC Hair Replacement System. “CNC is a fabulous reality for those who want to avoid the shock of losing their self-image. Hair is a very important part of our image,” Claudia explained. “It’s a prosthesis, but its features are way more comfortable than any type of wig.”

Claudia has regained her self-confidence after switching to the CNC Hair Replacement System. “It’s not like wearing any wig, it’s something that fits perfectly. And on me, it fits perfectly, like I was. It’s like I never lost my hair.”

About the ‘CNC’ Hair & Scalp Cranial Prosthetic

•     CNC (CR Labs, Italy) is a customized medical-grade hair replacement system that is approved by the Italian Ministry of Health.
•     The CNC cranial prosthesis is crafted from beautiful, 100 percent unprocessed human hair meticulously implanted into an ultra-lightweight, breathable, antibacterial, dermato-compatable polymeric base made using 3D-printing technology.
•     Made with FDA-cleared components, CNC is a unique hair replacement option for patients who suffer from autoimmune alopecia or extensive scarring alopecia, as well as patients who may not be good candidates for hair transplants.
•     The CNC can be shampooed and styled with ease and can be exposed to all activities, including swimming, shampooing, hairstyling, and high-impact sports.
•     Patients say the CNC becomes “a part of them,” never hot, itchy or uncomfortable—providing a previously unattainable level of confidence, freedom and comfort above and beyond traditional medical wigs.
•     With monthly maintenance and proper care, the prosthesis can last between four to five years, which is far longer than traditional wigs and hairpieces, ultimately saving patients more money in the end.