Can A Dermatologist Treat Hair Loss

How Do Women Experience Hair Loss

Somewhat like men, most hair loss in women occurs as female-pattern hair loss. That is, hair is lost in specific areas of the scalp and the hair that remains is more like the hair on a persons arms or legs. The pattern of hair loss in women is different than men, however.

While most men experience baldness as a receding hair line and bald spots, women typically experience a visible thinning across the crown. Both women and men experienced the shortened growth cycle in the areas of hair loss that create small and sparse remaining hairs.

What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider

• What is the cause of my hair loss?
• How many strands of hair am I losing per day?
• What type of hair loss do I have?
• Will my hair loss be permanent?
• Whats the best treatment for me?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Hair loss may cause you distress whether it happens because of genetics, a disease, or even stress. Know that there are some treatments you can try, and expert dermatologists are there to help you. Your hair loss may be able to be reversed. See your healthcare provider as soon as you notice something wrong because the sooner you start treatment, the better.

When Hair May Regrow On Its Own

Yes, your hair may regrow on its own. This can happen if you recently:

• Had a baby

• Recovered from a major illness or had surgery

• Underwent cancer treatment

• Lost 20 pounds or more

• Developed a mild case of a disease called alopecia areata, which causes your immune system to attack your hair follicles

• Got rid of psoriasis on your scalp

Your dermatologist can tell you whether your hair may start to grow again on its own.

Sometimes to see regrowth, you need to make some changes.

You May Like: Which Antidepressant Does Not Cause Hair Loss

An Overview Of Hair Loss

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, is experienced by both men and women. We all lose hair every day around 500 hairs a day, that is, but when you notice bald patches forming or a serious thinning of the hair, it is probably a hair loss case at the question.

The most common cause of hair loss is genetics when a hereditary hair loss happens. But hair loss also happens due to stress, pregnancy, menopause, thyroid issues, iron deficiency anemia, and much more. Unfortunately, not all cases of hair loss are fully treated. However, there are some treatment options that you can try, as not all hope is lost. The first step would be scheduling a visit to your dermatologists office.

Who Can Use It

As we age, we lose estrogen over time, explains Patel. When there is a genetic predisposition, female pattern hair loss can occur. Testosterone in the body and in the hair follicles goes unopposed, and this can lead to miniaturization of the hair follicles and hair loss. Spironolactone helps oppose the testosterone in the hair follicles and decreases hair loss.

Gonzalez adds, If your body produces an increased amount of testosterone or other androgens, spironolactone can totally help to reduce hair thinning by blocking the effects of testosterone in the body. The principle behind this is that there would be less testosterone-induced stimulation on the hair follicles, and therefore more hair retention.

Read Also: How To Thicken Mens Thin Hair

When Should You Call Your Doctor

• Your hair loss is sudden, rather than gradual.
• You notice hair shedding in large amounts after combing or brushing, or if your hair becomes thinner or falls out.
• You are concerned that a medicine may be causing your hair loss.
• Your skin is scaly or has a rash, or you have any change on your skin or scalp with hair loss.
• Your hair is gradually thinning and balding, and you want to discuss treatment options with your doctor.

How Does A Board

In some cases of hair loss, such as those caused by alopecia areata, hair will regrow on its own over time. While there is no cure for hereditary hair loss, treatment may help some patients regrow their hair. Because scarring hair loss has the potential to become permanent if the hair follicle is destroyed during the active phase of disease, it is important to seek treatment early.

A board-certified dermatologist can identify the cause of your hair loss and recommend the treatment that is best for

you. Your doctor may do a blood test to help determine the cause. Treatment plans may include:

• Minoxidil: This topical treatment is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat hair loss in both men and women. It is available both over-the-counter and by
• Antibiotics: These may be given to treat hair loss and are often used for their anti-inflammatory
• Finasteride: This oral medication is FDA-approved to treat hair loss in men. It is only available by
• Corticosteroids: These medications, which may be applied topically, injected or taken orally, can speed up hair

regrowth in some patients whose hair loss is associated with inflammation.

• Vitamin supplementation: Some vitamin and mineral deficiencies may contribute to hair loss. Your

dermatologist may order blood tests to check your vitamin and mineral levels if this is suspected.

Read Also: Does Aveda Shampoo Cause Hair Loss

Dermatologists Can Get To Root Of Problem Provide Treatment

Losing hair, especially over time, is normal. But when it happens suddenly or without clear explanation, it may be quite distressing. In some cases, it may be due to an illness or underlying condition. Dermatologists are experts in the skin and its structures including hair. Often they can get to the root of the problem and recommend the best hair loss treatment approach.

There are a number of things you can do to slow or stop hair loss, says Daniel Zelac, MD, a dermatologist at Scripps Clinic. But before deciding what to do, its important to identify the type of hair loss you are experiencing.

When to consider hair loss treatment

It is normal for individuals to lose 50 to 300 hairs each day, often without noticing. New hair usually replaces lost hair, but even this can result in a loss of overall hair length and a sense of fullness. When hair loss increases suddenly, it can be alarming, especially if it appears to be happening rapidly.

Some types of hair loss are linked specifically to correctable causes while others are not, Dr. Zelac says. Your dermatologist can determine if your hair loss is caused by things like thyroid gland issues, stress, scalp infections, genetics or simply aging.

When hair loss is temporary, often no treatment is needed and the hair may regrow on its own. Other times, treatment may be needed to slow the rate of the hair loss. In particular cases, hair loss treatment may allow the thinned hair to be regrown.

Aging and hair loss

What Can A Dermatologist Do For Hair Loss

Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP

Youre losing your hair, but who do you call? Many people dont know what type of doctor or professional to contact when they start experiencing hair loss or thinning. Your barber might be able to confirm, Yep, theres less than last time! but that hardly serves as a diagnosis and certainly wont help you get prescription hair loss treatments.

The best medical professional for that job is a dermatologist. You might think of dermatologists as skin doctors and not associate your scalp with your complexion, but hair follicles are located in the skin, and the two are most definitely closely related.

Don’t Miss: Does Keto Diet Cause Hair Loss

What Are The Totally Different Kinds Of Hair Loss

Given there are a selection of the way to categorize hair loss, we had Dr. Russak stroll us by way of a few of them. She begins by noting that dermatologists differentiated hair loss into scarring and non-scarring. She shares that for scarring, there are processes that result in scars forming across the hair follicles, however theres quite a lot of completely different medical situations that may result in that. So far as non-scarring goes, a lot of these examples are what we beforehand mentioned. Dr. Russak mentions that there are quite a lot of elements that contribute to non-scarring hair loss. This could embody medical deficiencies, issues with the thyroid, deficiencies in iron and completely different nutritional vitamins like B and T, after which getting old for girls.

Girls experiencing perimenopause and menopause positively present a slowing down of their hair cycle, shares Dr. Russak. This implies theyve shorter hair, the hair doesnt develop the complete size, after which the hair falls out, it doesnt develop the identical approach. Theyll begin noticing hair loss density, which means not as many follicles are literally being produced.

What Are The Myths About Hair Loss

Myths about hair loss are widespread. Nothing in the following list is true:

• Youre losing hair because you shampoo it too much, or because youve colored it or gotten a perm.
• Dandruff causes permanent hair loss in women.
• Stress causes permanent hair loss in women.
• If you shave your head, your hair will grow back twice as thick.
• If you stand on your head youll increase circulation, stimulating hair growth.
• If you brush your hair 100 strokes a day that will make your hair healthier.
• Hats and wigs cause hair loss in women.
• Hair loss only affects intellectual women.

Read Also: Does Wearing A Durag Cause Hair Loss

A Dermatologists Diagnosis Is Best Before Treating Hair Loss

If you think you have FPHL, its important to see a dermatologist for a diagnosis. Women develop hair loss for many reasons. Other common causes of hair loss in women can look a lot like FPHL. Each of these causes requires different treatment. Without the right treatment, hair loss often continues.

You can find a dermatologist in your area by going to Find a Dermatologist.

How To Determine What Kind Of Hair Loss Doctor You Need

As with any other potentially serious physical ailment, the best way to determine what kind of doctor you need, as well as which treatment options are most suitable for your situation, is to obtain multiple opinions on the matter. Comparing and contrasting between a wide variety of medical perspectives will help you make as informed a decision as possible when it comes to your health. You should also always keep your GP in the loop when it comes to anything that could affect your health or be perceived as a symptom of something else. In fact, your GP should always remain an active member of your medical team and hair loss treatment because they can provide some helpful insights regarding your overall health to the other medical professionals working on your case. Every little tidbit of background information is essential to implementing a strong, all-encompassing, and fitting treatment plan to combat and reverse hair loss.Think of your DNA, your family history, and your own medical history as a metaphorical roadmap to your own good health. All of these components work together to reveal telling clues about your body and why it behaves the way it does.Whats beneficial about Cialis is its safety read more about this at HowMed. A properly selected dose can be effective for erectile dysfunction treatment, even for men who are diagnosed with accompanying or underlying heart disorders, diabetes, and similar abnormalities.

Also Check: Will Menopause Cause Hair Loss

Trichologist Is An Expert In Human Hair A Dermatologist Is A Medical Doctor

A trichologist is an expert in human hair, from making it look its best through to treating problems with your hair and scalp. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in skin, hair, and nails and has the training and expertise to conduct a full examination and any necessary tests to give an accurate diagnosis.

This training and depth of knowledge are vital. Typically a trichologist will train for up to four years. My training to become a dermatologist included six years of medical school, two more years of core medical training, four years specializing in dermatology, then another year on my special interest areas. Thats 13 years of medical training to specialize in skin and hair, giving a depth of knowledge that enables the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of hair loss conditions. I am one of the few dermatologists in the UK who specializes in hair loss.

Hair Loss: Signs And Symptoms

Hair loss may cause gradual thinning, bald patches, or complete baldness. The photos below some of the different types of hair loss.

• High-dose vitamin A.
• Medicines that treat arthritis, depression, gout, heart problems, and high blood pressure.
• Birth control pills: Some women who take the pill see hair loss. Sometimes, the hair loss begins when a women stops taking the pill. Women who get this hair loss often have hereditary hair loss.
• Anabolic steroids may cause hair loss.

Also Check: Can Finasteride Cause Hair Loss

What Treatments Are Available

Once your dermatologist diagnoses your hair loss, they will determine whether treatment could be effective. Treatments can either help hair regrow more quickly or slow future hair loss. Keep in mind that age-related or genetic hair loss may not be reversible.

Patients who have a medical condition causing hair loss, like a thyroid issue or infection, will need to treat that condition before addressing the hair loss. In some cases, your dermatologist will refer you to a specialist for treatment. If you have a medical condition like alopecia areata, the dermatologist may prescribe medications or recommend an over-the-counter treatment.

In-office procedures can also be effective for some patients. These treatments can include corticosteroid injections, laser therapy, and platelet-rich plasma therapy. You may require repeated treatments before seeing improvement in hair growth.

Its also important to mention that your dermatologist may recommend lifestyle changes to prevent future hair loss. This may include changing your diet, as well as avoiding certain hairstyles and hair pieces.

Hair loss can be complicated, but the team at Pacific Dermatology Specialists can diagnose your condition and recommend treatment. Located in Long Beach, CA and a number of other convenient locations, our medical dermatology professionals are committed to helping you look and feel your best. Contact us today to get started.

Prescription Medication That Can Regrow Hair

Another treatment option is to take prescription medication. The type of medication prescribed will depend on your:

• Hair loss cause

• Expected results

• Plans for getting pregnant

With any medication, side effects are possible. Ask your dermatologist about possible side effects that you might experience while taking one of these medications to treat hair loss. The medications include:

Finasteride : The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved this medication to treat male pattern hair loss. When taken as directed, finasteride can:

• Slow down hair loss

• Stimulate new hair growth

Finasteride is a pill that you take once a day. Taking it at the same time each day seems to produce the best results.

Finasteride: Before and after

This man took finasteride to treat his male pattern hair loss, and within 1 year , he had noticeable improvement. After 2 years , he had regrown most of his hair.

Like other treatments for hair loss, this, too, takes time to work. It usually takes about 4 months to notice any improvement.

Finasteride tends to be more effective if you begin taking it when you first notice hair loss.A dermatologist may also prescribe this medication to treat a woman who has hereditary hair loss and cannot get pregnant.

If finasteride works for you, you will need to keep taking it to continue getting results. Once you stop, youll start losing hair again.Before taking this medication, be sure to discuss possible side effects with your dermatologist.

Read Also: How To Fix Stress Hair Loss