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Can Dermatologists Treat Hair Loss

How Many More Hair Loss Doctors Do I Need To See

PHYTO Dermatologist Series: Understanding & Treating Hair Loss with Dr. Dina Strachan, MD

Do I REALLY have to see that many hair loss doctors? Havent I seen enough hair loss doctors? It is normal to feel overwhelmed with already seeing several doctors to determine the cause for your hair loss. Many women with hair loss have shared this experience so know you are not alone. Some women share that one type of doctor ended up being much more helpful than the other type, but still would suggest seeing both to get a full diagnosis and rule out many issues.

We would highly suggest seeing more than one doctor in each field. The more experience hair loss doctors have brings more knowledge which is important as well as comforting. Hair loss doctors that have much experience should also have a good bedside manner and understand that with hair loss also comes the need for emotional support and sensitivity and truly sharing their concern is just as important and giving a solution.

Do your research before making that appointment. Ask around. Call the office and ask to speak to the doctor. If this is not an option, as some questions to the receptionist about the experience of the doctor.

Do they see a lot of women with hair loss?

What do you see the treatments often end up being?

Do they order blood work at the first appointment?

How many years of experience?

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Treating Alopecia And Hair Loss In London

Alopecia and hair loss mean the same thing reduction in hair density and increased hair fall. This can be a diffuse process or occur in localised areas on the scalp or other areas of the body. It can occur slowly over many years, or be rapidly progressive, occurring over days or weeks. There are many causes for alopecia which can broadly be grouped into three categories: internal deficiencies, scalp disease or other causes. The most important distinction is whether scarring is a feature or not, because this will dictate how successful treatment can be.

Hair loss can occur for many different reasons and it is a very common and distressing problem. At the Harley Street Dermatology Clinic, we know just how troubling it can be to lose ones hair. The most important step is to firstly establish the cause for your hair loss, and then, provided it is treatable, to try and reverse it.

If you are suffering from hair loss, the sooner you seek treatment the better results will be, and no amount of hair loss is too small to seek advice about. If you have already tried over the counter remedies and are still suffering from hair loss, we can help. Our experts hair loss dermatologists are able to diagnose your hair loss and to treat it in the most effective way for you.

What To Expect During An In

During an in-person hair loss visit with a doctor, they will likely start off by asking you questions about your hair loss.The doctor may ask:

  • When did your hair loss start?
  • How rapidly is hair being lost?
  • Have you had any stressors or life changes recently?
  • Have you had rapid weight changes?
  • What medications and supplements are you taking?
  • Is your hair breaking or growing slower?
  • Do you have relatives with hair loss?
  • Is the hair loss in a certain location or all over?
  • Has anything made the hair loss better or worse?

After talking with you, your doctor may perform or order certain tests to get to the root of the problem.

Tests may include:

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Can A Dermatologist Help With Hair Loss

Can a dermatologist help with hair loss? Its a common question we get from potential patients and followers on social media. Patients consider dermatologists for issues concerning the skin like acne, dermatitis, and skin cancers. However, your dermatologist can tackle all the problems concerning hair and nails.

When it comes to issues of the hair, none are more common and concerning as hair loss. Over 55 million Americans suffer from some degree of hair loss.

Many ignore the issue or are unaware of the excessive shedding. Others let it run its course and shave it all off or decide to cover it up with hairstyles, wigs, or hats. But for some, the issue could be distressing, emotionally devastating, and can even affect their daily lives. At this point, treating your hair loss goes beyond buying shampoo or an over-the-counter treatment. Youll need to visit your dermatologist to find out the root cause so that you can take a holistic approach to grow back those whiskers, pronto.

Treatment Of Female Pattern Hair Loss

Dermatologists Reveal How Women of Color Can Prevent or ...

My approach to Hair loss has changed over the years. For minor Hair lossand a family history, I believe it is important to be proactive. The aim of treatment is not to just stop further hair loss but to thicken and if possible, reverse the thinning. I would encourage patients to present early to see their doctor or dermatologist.

What is telogen effluvium?

Telogen effluvium is the hair loss which occurs after stress, whether it is after pregnancy, dramatic loss of weight, illness, grief etc. It may sometimes occur without a trigger. Diagnosing this condition requires a biopsy. This condition can sometimes coexist with female pattern hair loss .

What causes bald spots?

Alopecia areata is the simplest to diagnose and generally doesnt require a biopsy. Most patients present with bald patches on the scalp which appear suddenly. Generally, if limited to a few areas, then reversal of the condition is simple. However some patients can develop multiple, rapidly enlarging bald areas and in these patients, management is more difficult and realistically some may even have to consider wearing a wig. Of all the conditions I manage, AA is the most unpredictable. Fortunately, most patients have rapid improvement and are ecstatic when regrowth occurs.

Scarring hair loss conditions

29yo female scalp -April 2015 and November 2015

  • 29yo female scalp -April 2015
  • 29yo female scalp -November 2015

Also Check: What Scalp Conditions Cause Hair Loss

What’s The Best Doctor To See For Hair Loss

If you’ve started to notice your hairline receding or the hair on the crown of your head slipping away, you may be experiencing male pattern hair loss.

It’s a genuine medical condition that affects millions of men globally, and this type of hair loss is actually the most common cause of hair loss among men. Nearly 80% of men will experience significant hair loss in their lifetime because of it.

For most men, the process of losing their hair will start sometimes in their 30s, but it can start later or much earlier depending on genetic traits. In fact, genetics and heredity are key factors in whether you’ll be affected by male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia.

While male pattern hair loss is a progressive condition that results in continual hair loss over time, there are hair loss treatments that can delay loss and even stimulate new growth. The first step to treatment may involve seeing a medical professional.

But which is the best medical professional for hair loss?

Patients Who Are Eligible To Be Scheduled For A Hair Loss Clinic Appointment Should Have One Of The Following Issues:

    • Patients with a clinical diagnosis by a dermatologist OR biopsy-proven scarring alopecia:
    • Lichen planopilaris
    • Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia
    • Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
    • Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp
    • Scarring alopecia or scarring hair loss
  • Patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata, affecting 30% or more of the scalp
  • Patients with chemotherapy or cancer therapy induced alopecia
  • Patients with alopecia due to graft versus host disease

If you meet eligibility, you must register as a Mass General patient to make an appointment.

It is required that patients provide one of the following to our office by faxing to 617-726-7768 Attn. Hair Loss Clinic:

2) A biopsy report confirming one of the following diagnoses:

  • Lichen planopilaris
  • Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia
  • Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
  • Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp
  • Scarring alopecia or scarring hair loss
  • Chemotherapy induced hair loss

For less severe forms of hair loss or for patients who are not eligible for our Hair Loss Clinic appointments, you may request a consultation with one of our general dermatologists.

At Mass General Dermatologys Hair Loss Clinic, our board-certified dermatologists are highly specialized in the diagnosis, management and treatment of hair loss that affects both adolescents and adults. For most people, it is normal to shed 100-150 hairs a day however, if you are noticing bald spots or excessive hair loss, it may be a sign of alopecia.

Also Check: Can You Prevent Genetic Hair Loss

What Do Dermatologists Do

A dermatologists work can typically be divided into three areas. These include:

  • Medical. A dermatologist can diagnose and treat conditions that affect your skin. This includes conditions like plaque psoriasis, rosacea, and acne. A dermatologist can also identify symptoms on your skin that could be signs of other health conditions. For example, itchy, dry skin can sometimes indicate problems with your kidneys.
  • Surgery. Many dermatologists do minor surgery, like removing moles or warts or doing skin biopsies. Other dermatologists will specialize in more extensive surgery. These procedures can include removing benign cysts or skin cancer.
  • Cosmetic. A dermatologist can treat skin issues that affect your appearance. This may include hair loss, dark spots, or wrinkles. Many dermatologists are trained to administer cosmetic treatments, too. These include fillers, chemical peels, and laser hair removal.

What About The Side Effects

How does a Dermatologist treat Female Pattern Hair Loss

Remember, spironolactone is a diuretic, so it is imperative that you make the extra effort to drink plenty of water. Patel notes that it could make your electrolytes out of whack leading to high potassium levels. This is why your doctor checks this level during treatment.

While taking spironolactone, Patel also recommends that patients lower their potassium intake in addition to avoiding cholestyramine, digoxin, lithium, trimethoprim heart or blood pressure medicine medicine to prevent blood clots or NSAIDs which includes aspirin, ibuprofen , naproxen , celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, and meloxicam.

According to Kim, other potential side effects include dizziness with postural hypotension, breast tenderness, decreased libido, spotting, and electrolyte imbalance. This androgen receptor blocker is categorized as pregnancy category D.

Gonzalez emphasizes that due to its estrogen-like effects, this medication is only given to those who are not pregnant. The most common side effects are diuresis, menstrual irregularities, gastrointestinal upset, and breast tenderness. To add, women of childbearing potential must be on a reliable form of birth control with spironolactone to avoid exposure during pregnancy.

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Thinning Hair Dont Panic Girl Your Dermatologist Is Here

Are you or someone you know suffering from hair loss? Youre not alone. According toHarvard University, about one-third of women experience hair loss at some time in their lives and among postmenopausal women, as many as two-thirds suffer hair thinning or bald spots.

As dermatologists, twin brothers Dr. Kevin DeHart and Dr. Kelly DeHart have seen it all when it comes to hair loss. Typically, women wait longer than men to come in about their hair struggles. However, the sooner you see a dermatologist, the sooner you can begin the hair regrowth process.

Timeliness is a factor when it comes to hair loss, said Dr. Kelly DeHart. If you leave hair loss untreated for years, you may not see as much regrowth as you do when you see a dermatologist within a few months of noticing symptoms and beginning treatment.

When it comes to hair loss, treatment is indefinite. While there isnt a cure, there are some great treatment options that can make a big difference when it comes to hair regrowth.

Types Of Hair Disorders

The 4 broad categories of hair loss include:

  • Hair loss
  • Hair shaft disorders
Make an Appointment

Speak with a qualified doctor confidentially to plan a tailored treatment for your dermatological concern. Let us help you with your skin and hair problems.

  • Leader in skin and hair loss treatment and research
  • More than 50% of dermatology research papers in Australia are published by our team
  • Largest dermatology clinical trial research centre in Australia
  • Only medical centre in Australia to use 3D whole body imaging technology to map moles and lesions for skin cancer detection.
  • Onsite pathology and compounding pharmacy
  • Our dermal clinic uses state of the art laser machines

Our Clinics

Sinclair Dermatology provides services for removing unwanted or excessive facial or body hair.

We use medical grade hair removal laser machine that is operated by medically trained staff.

Laser hair removal is considered to result in permanent hair reduction and each laser appointment go for no longer than 30 minutes.

Excess hair in women is characterised by the growth of thick, dark hair in typically male areas of the body including the back, chest and face. A common cause of this is polycystic ovarian syndrome . In some cases, there may be a genetic reason behind developing PCOS. For other women, excess hair only occurs when they are overweight.

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A Trichologist Is Not Medically Trained

A trichologist can of course help in some cases but can only give patients topical treatment for hair loss, as they are not medically trained. Unlike a dermatologist, they cannot perform tests that help with the diagnosis and evaluation of the condition and inform the best course of treatment these require special training.

For example, a dermatologist can perform a trichoscopy with a video dermatoscopy, a non-invasive technique that allows a rapid and magnified observation of the skins surface enabling the evaluation of hair thickness, presence of regrowing hairs and scalp inflammation. We can also perform a trigonometry, which involves an instrument that provides a numeric value of the hair quality. All of which are vital to in-depth diagnosis.

Dermatologists can also carry out a scalp biopsy, where a sample from the scalp is taken under local anaesthetic and tested under the microscope by a histopathologist. These tests are often necessary to evaluate cases of hair loss.

Only a dermatologist is qualified to carry out these tests, without which a full and thorough evaluation and diagnosis is not possible. Getting to the cause of your condition leads to better treatment. Furthermore, there are a variety of oral treatments available for hair disorders which a trichologist cannot prescribe but a dermatologist can so these are some reasons why you need a dermatologist for hair loss and not a Trichologist.

What Can A Dermatologist Do For Hair Loss

You Can Tackle Hair Loss Naturally

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.

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