Talk To Our Hair Loss Doctors
Talking to a hair loss doctor is a quick, easy way to find out whats causing your hair loss and what you can do to stop it.
Are you worried about hair loss? Take an online consultation with one of our doctors to learn whats causing your hair loss, what treatment options are available and how you can prevent further hair loss.
What Increases Your Risk
Factors that increase the risk of hair loss include:
- Genetics . If one or both of your parents have hair loss, it is likely that you will also.
- Disease or illness. Certain diseases or an illness can cause hair loss. The diseases may include ringworm of the scalp , thyroid diseases such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, or lupus. The illness may include a severe infection or high fever.
- Age. Many people have some hair loss by the age of 50.
- Medicines and medical treatments. Certain medicines or medical treatments can cause scalp problems and hair loss.
- Hair care and styling. Some methods of hair care or hair styles can damage hair and cause hair loss.
If you have alopecia areata, you are more likely to have permanent hair loss if:
- You have a family history of the condition.
- You have the condition at a young age.
- You have a lot of hair loss.
- You have abnormal colour, shape, texture, or thickness of the fingernails or toenails.
What Help Can I Get From Medical Professionals For Alopecia
- General Practice doctors and nurses
- Dermatology consultants and nurses
- pharmacists
How many appointments did you have with the GP after your initial diagnosis before they gave you the referral?
- getting a diagnosis of alopecia and information about subtypes
- to check if there are any other health conditions underlying the hair loss
- to find out about triggers
- to get treatments, such as steroids in topical, tablet or injection form
- check-ups, including to see if treatments were working or about side effects
- for referrals which a GP can make so that a person can see a dermatologist
- for those who want to wear a wig, dermatologists can give prescriptions for wigs
- advice and treatment for complications associated with wearing a wig
- mental health help for dealing with the emotional and psychological side of alopecia
- information about alternative and complementary therapies
- a fit note for time off or other special arrangements with work, school or university
Early medical appointmentsHow did you sort of go about learning about alopecia when you were about ten onwards?
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Is Prp Safe For Hair Loss
PRP has been used for its wound healing properties in several medical specialties for more than 20 years, and has been used since 2004 for hair loss treatments. The procedure is well tolerated by patients and overall very safe. More recently, studies have shown proven positive results for PRP as an effective treatment for female and male pattern hair loss.
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How Can I Stop My Hair From Thinning
This, too, is a question all three doctors hear frequently, and they say there are myriad ways to prevent hair loss. “Minoxidilnot new or sexy, but very effectiveworks to decrease hair shedding and promote new hair growth,” Dr. Engelman explains. “Minoxidils mechanism of action is believed to be due to an effect on the calcium channels in the hair cells. Minoxidil increases the capillary blood flow to the dermis of the skin where the follicle residespromotes oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the hair folliclesto make them stronger and help re-grow hair,” she explains. Over-the-counter Rogaine and some dietary supplements, like viviscal, are also effective, says Dr. Zeichner, who adds that prescription options such Propecia or spironolactone can be acquired after a visit to your dermatologist.
In-office treatments are also on the rise. Among the most common is platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, with Dr. Engelman says is very effective . “It’s a hair loss treatment that withdraws a patients own blood, processes the enriched cells, and injects them back into the scalp,” Dr. Engelman explains. “The platelet-rich plasma contains the proteins needed to stimulate hair growth.” Botulinum toxin is being studied for hair regrowth as well, says Dr. Engelman. “The initial studies show promise with 50 percent of test subjects experiencing new hair growth,” she says. “These results aren’t published yet, but my colleagues who only work in hair restoration substantiate these numbers.”
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Where To Find A Hair Dermatologist
One of the best places to search for a dermatologist is actually through the American Academy of Dermatology Association website.
They allow you to search by zip code and name, as well as to filter for things like conditions to be treated , the focus of their practice , and procedure including hair transplants.
There are some things you may want to try and decipher about your hair issues beforehand, like what kind of hair loss youre dealing with.
While its a healthcare professionals job to diagnose your issues, knowing more about the kind of hair loss you may be experiencing can help you find the right professional, so lets look at a few common hair loss types.
If you need some help, you can always reach out to your primary healthcare provider and tell them whats going on.
They should be able to recommend a specialist that makes sense with your location, your insurance, who theyve worked with and can vet, etc.
How Do Dermatologists Treat Hair Loss
Just as there are many causes, there are many treatments for hair loss. Dermatologists recommend treating hair loss early, before you lose a lot of hair. Hair loss is harder to treat when a person has already lost an extreme amount of hair.
One or more of the following treatments may be part of your treatment plan.
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When Hair Loss Strikes A Doctor Is A Girls Best Friend
- Read in app
A COUPLE of years ago my hair started falling out. Not in clumps, but I noticed more hairs than usual in my comb and in the bath drain.
I went to a trichologist who tested my blood , told me some thinning was natural for a woman in her mid-40s and sent me home with expensive shampoo and a serum to use on my scalp. I used the potions. I took vitamins. I stopped brushing my hair.
I was a wreck. If someone had told me there was a cure in a remote village in the mountains of Bhutan, I would have put on my hiking boots and boarded a plane.
No one wants to lose their hair, but for women it is especially traumatic. Men can shave their heads and look hip, even sexy. Most women dont want to be bald. Though it is more common and visible in men, many women lose their hair. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 30 million women in this country have hereditary hair loss, compared with 50 million men. But many additional women experience thinning hair that results from menopause or health problems.
If your hair is coming out, be advised that of the multitude of treatments on the market for women, few are worth your money, says Dr. Melissa Piliang, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic.
Americans spent an estimated $176 million on hair loss products last year, and chances are some of that money was not well spent. Dont let charming salon owners, seductive ads or fancy gimmicks convince you otherwise.
Thats the background. Now for some guidance:
Should You See A Dermatologist For Hair Loss
Are you worried that you are losing hair rapidly? Are you overwhelmed and confused about what you are supposed to do and who you are supposed to talk to? Do you perhaps ask yourself Should I see a dermatologist for hair loss? Well, read on to discover the answer to that question in just a few minutes!
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Scalp Massage And Proper Cleansing
It is important to keep your hair clean to encourage healthy growth. “Shampooing often is very important,” says Friese, “Cleansing the hair follicles and keeping them free of oils, hair product build-up and free radicals will help create a healthy scalp environment for the hair to grow. Scalp massage is another way to encourage hair growth as it helps increase blood flow and circulation to the follicles making them stronger and discouraging miniaturization.” You could use a scalp massager or simply your fingers do double duty by taking extra time to massage your scalp while you shampoo.
How Many More Hair Loss Doctors Do I Need To See
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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Why Is My Hair So Damaged
New York City-based dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, gets this one a lot, and says there are many potential culprits when it comes to damaged hair. The most obvious are chemical hair treatments and use of hot tools. As with all things hair-related, genetics can play a role, too. Birth control, in the form of oral contraceptives, can also damage hair in some cases. UV exposure may be to blame as well. “Exposure to free radicals without antioxidants to neutralize them can cause serious oxidative stress to the body and in this case the hair,” Dr. Engelman explains. “The unstable molecules steal from other molecules, weakening them in the process, and some studies have shown that this can speed along the catagen phase which causes hair to detach prematurely. Finally, weight loss, which can be a stressor, causes follicles to become less active.
Diet, she says, is also really important for hair health. “The hair is made up of protein and we need fats, Vitamin B, Vitamin A, and iron to support growth and strength,” she explains. “Low levels can lead to hair loss, and the fix may be as simple as adding an iron or vitamin supplement or adding lentils, eggs and spinach to your diet.”
Common Types Of Hair Loss
Androgenetic Alopecia
The old saying that baldness genes come only from your mothers side of the family simply isnt true. Baldness actually comes from both of your parents genetic makeup .
The most extensive and most common type of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, which is genetic hair loss, and occurs in both men and women. In men, androgenetic alopecia is also referred to as male-pattern baldness where the hair recedes above the temples and the crown of the head. In women, this type occurs throughout the entire head, becoming thinner and thinner all over but rarely resulting in total baldness.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia doesnt just affect adults. When younger kids or teens experience Alopecia Areata, they lose hair in a round formation due to an autoimmune issue. The hair is there, but its not growing correctly and is often very smooth and fine. The most common treatment for this condition is a steroid injection under the skin. Alopecia can cause someone to lose all of the hair on their head or across their entire body, depending on its severity.
Traction Hair Loss
Traction hair loss occurs most often in women and is generally very gradual. Its primary cause is the result of hair being pulled or tugged on repeatedly. For example, when someone wears their hair in a tight ponytail, braids, or other restricting hair styles. This condition can also be caused by someone chronically pulling their hair out. Telogen Effluvium
Next, lets dive into a few treatment options.
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Causes Of Excessive Hair Loss
Improper Hair Cosmetic Use/Improper Hair Care Many men and women use chemical treatments on their hair, including dyes, tints, bleaches, straighteners, and permanent waves. These treatments rarely damage hair if they are done correctly. However, the hair can become weak and break if any of these chemicals are used too often. Hair can also break if the solution is left on too long, if two procedures are done on the same day, or if bleach is applied to previously bleached hair. If hair becomes brittle from chemical treatments, its best to stop until the hair has grown out.
Hairstyles that pull on the hair, like ponytails and braids, should not be pulled tightly and should be alternated with looser hairstyles. The constant pull causes some hair loss, especially along the sides of the scalp.
Shampooing, combing and brushing too often, can also damage hair, causing it to break. Using a cream rinse or conditioner after shampooing will make it more manageable and easier to comb. When hair is wet, it is more fragile, so vigorous rubbing with a towel, and rough combing and brushing should be avoided. Dont follow the old rule of 100 brush strokes a day that damages hair. Instead, use wide toothed combs and brushes with smooth tips.
What Dermatologists Know
Dermatologists arent only concerned with acne and psoriasis, they specialize in treating the skin, nails, and hair. Theyve typically spent more than a decade in school, learning all sorts of sciencey stuff, including how to diagnose and treat various skin and hair disorders.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your dermatologist spent four years earning their bachelors degree, four years in medical school, one year as an intern and three years, minimum, as a dermatology resident. So, yeah, theyve learned a few things along the way.
Once this period of education and training is over, a dermatologist can become board certified by completing a rigorous exam to confirm their knowledge. Board-certified dermatologists in the United States are typically certified by the American Board of Dermatology or the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology.
When it comes to your hair, specifically, a dermatologist can help determine whats causing your hair loss. They can identify what sort of hair loss is occurring, in order to recommend the best course of treatment or refer you to another specialist.
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