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Do You See A Dermatologist For Hair Loss

What Doctor Should You See For Hair Loss

Thinning Hair – Daily Do’s of Dermatology

September 25th, 2018

Great news! There are hair loss doctors that specialize in treating just women. Choosing which one to go see can be tricky. Hopefully, our insight can help make that a bit easier. We must state that were not doctors and therefore we can not provide medical advice. This post is based upon opinions and reviews from our own experiences and those of family and close friends.

Many conditions can sometimes be diagnosed and treated within the care of one doctor. Others may not be able it may take a few different doctors to truly diagnosis the issue, and then also the care of a few doctors to see what is the best course of treatment. This may be due to there being more than one underlying issue or the reason behind the problem.

Like many people, we also find comfort in more than just one opinion. Personally, I like to speak to a few different doctors if I have been told there is something serious going in my health which requires a form of treatment. I like to know if there are other options as well. I would suggest going to speak to a few different doctors personally. This is true also with hair loss doctors.

Home Remedies For Hair Regrowth

Hair regrowth diet: Read this article for the hair regrowth diet plan, What should I eat to regrow my hair.

Proper scalp care: Avoid vigorous massage because the new hair is not that strongly rooted. Stop harsh chemicals eg hair dye, hair wax, straightening products. Even steaming during hair spa might cause hair fall.

Healthy Lifestyle: Good diet, sleep and exercise is key to maintain the hair growth lifelong. We at our clinic recommend patients to follow lifestyle given in this video:

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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Will You Join Thousands Of Happy Customers

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What Is The Prognosis/outlook For Women With Hair Loss

How Much Does It Cost To See A Dermatologist For Hair Loss

Your diagnosis determines the prognosis:

  • Anagen and telogen shedding may stop with time.
  • Treat any diseases associated with hair loss.
  • Disguise or cover your hair loss using a wig or hat.
  • Early treatment of alopecia may reduce the speed of thinning and may promote regrowth.

While hair loss is not itself dangerous, women with hair loss tend to be very upset by the changes to their appearance. These negative feelings can affect self-esteem and social lives. Recent studies suggest that FPHL can be associated with conditions that include metabolic syndrome, endocrine disorders and diabetes.

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Whats Hair Loss In Women

Hair loss in women is just that when a woman experiences unexpected, heavy loss of hair. Generally, humans shed between 50 and 100 single hairs per day. Hair shedding is part of a natural balance some hairs fall out while others grow in. When the balance is interrupted when hair falls out and less hair grows in hair loss happens. Hair loss is different than hair shedding. The medical term for hair loss is alopecia.

Hair grows on almost all of your skin surfaces not the palms of your hands, soles of your feet, lips or eyelids. Light, fine, short hair is called vellus hair. Terminal/androgenic hair is thicker, darker and longer.

What Is The Relationship Between Hair Loss In Women And Menopause

During menopause, you might see one of two things happen with your hair. You might start growing hair where you didnt before. Or, you might see the hair you have start to thin. One cause may be changing levels of hormones during menopause. Estrogen and progesterone levels fall, meaning that the effects of the androgens, male hormones, are increased.

During and after menopause, hair might become finer because hair follicles shrink. Hair grows more slowly and falls out more easily in these cases.

Your healthcare provider will do a thorough examination and take a detailed history to help you deal with changes in hair growth. You may be directed to have your iron levels or thyroid hormone levels tested. Your medications might be changed if what you take is found to affect hair loss or growth.

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How Can I Book An Appointment Online With A Doctor For Hair Loss

Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find doctors for Hair Loss and book appointments instantly. You can search for doctors for Hair Loss or any other visit reason. Then, enter your desired appointment location and choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, youll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.

Why Consulting A Dermatologist Is Crucial For Hair Loss

Visiting a Dermatologist for Hair Loss – My Review!

For both women and men, its important to see adermatologist for many reasons if youre experiencing hair thinning:

  • Dermatologists can offer expert advice and help you get to the root of the problem more quickly than if you try to self-diagnose the issue on your own.
  • You can be prescribed medications, and get a biopsy if necessary.
  • Sometimes, your dermatologist will identify a more serious underlying medical issue that is causing your hair to fall out.

The only way to treat hair loss effectively is to identify the cause, said Dr. Kevin DeHart. We look at each patients total health history in order to diagnose them. There are a lot of reasons for hair loss, and its everything from a thyroid issue to a new medication to a recent trauma.

The best course of action is determined in part by the type of thinning you have. A scalp biopsy may be done in order to see hairs under the skin. Working alongside Dr. Kevin DeHart and Dr. Kelly DeHart, ParisersDr. Ashley Reed performs biopsies for us and helps determine the diagnosis. However, scalp biopsy is not common and only 10 percent of patients who come to Pariser Dermatology for thinning hair need a scalp biopsy.

Under the microscope youre going to see different things, for example the follicle size of the hair. This can show us, for example, whether testosterone has influenced the hair loss or if broken hairs indicate trichotillomania, which is pulling out hairs.

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Start With Lifestyle Changes

Some cases of hair thinning can be corrected with lifestyle adjustments. First, if your hair is changing and you experience mild thinning or shedding, its okay to implement general hair care to see if it helps, Dr. MacGregor shares. Its totally possible that simple product swaps or slight routine changes could solve, or at least help, thinning hair.

Starting at the root of the problem, pay attention to your scalp. Scalp care is the most important element of hair care, and if yours is dry and itchy or you have dermatitis, ditch your shampoo for a simple but seriously soothing formulation. Dr. MacGregors favorite? Shea Moisture Oat Milk & Rice Water Baby Shampoo.

Take a close look at your hair styling and hair care routine. Do you constantly heat style or chemically treat your tresses, including coloring and relaxers? Stretch the time in between appointments to reduce inflammation and always use a hydrating heat protectant beforehand. Additionally, Dr. MacGregor says to avoid any unnecessary traction with hair, and she suggests a gentle hair towel or even repurposing an old t-shirt to dry off out of the shower, along with a silk pillowcase or bonnet for sleeping.

The old adage you are what you eat is especially true when it comes to hair. Optimize your diet with a vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplement to promote healthy growth and avoid high glycemic carbs, as they increase sebum yeast inflammation in the scalp, Dr. MacGregor says.

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.

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Doctors That Treat Hair Loss

The main doctor that specializes in treating hair concerns is a Dermatologist. Dermatologists are trained in hair, skin, and nail conditions, so if you choose to see a dermatologist you can be pretty confident that they are well versed on all things hair.

Another type of doctor with a specialty in hair loss specifically is a Trichologist. Trichologists are doctors that have a focus nearly exclusively on hair loss. In the UK, Trichologists receive training in this formal field of study for two years, but in the US there are no formal requirements for Trichologists.

A doctor can also be both a Trichologist and a Dermatologist, but not all Trichologists are Dermatologists.

Aside from these two types of doctors, it is also common for general practice or other specialties to know about the most common hair loss treatments and be able to help you out with your hair loss as they received general hair loss treatment training in medical school.

You can start by asking your current general doctor about hair loss treatment options, or you can have a free online appointment with our U.S. licensed doctors online to get help for your hair loss.

Causes Of Excessive Hair Loss

Pin on Phi Cosmetic Hairs

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.

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Changing Your Hair Care May Help

Some hairstyles and hair care habits can damage hair, leading to hair loss. If your dermatologist finds that this may be causing your hair loss, your dermatologist can recommend changes that will help you stop damaging your hair.

Youll find tips that dermatologists give their patients at:

When To See A Board

If you have hair loss, its never too early to see a board-certified dermatologist. People develop hair loss for many reasons. Your hairstyle may be the cause. Its also possible that something else is causing your hair loss, such as stress or hereditary hair loss. A board-certified dermatologist can get to the root of the problem.

The sooner you find out whats causing your hair loss and take steps to stop it, the better your results.

Related AAD resources

ImagesImage 1: Getty Images

Image 2: Image used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides

ReferencesAmerican Academy of Dermatology. African American hair: Dermatologists tips for everyday care, processing and styling. News release issued Aug 24, 2014.

Billero V and Miteva M. Traction alopecia: The root of the problem. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018 11:14959.

Haskin A and Aguh C. All hairstyles are not created equal: What the dermatologist needs to know about black hairstyling practices and the risk of traction alopecia . J Am Acad Dermatol 2016 75:606-11.

Sperling LC. Alopcias. In: Bolognia JL, et al. Dermatology. . Mosby Elsevier, Spain, 2008:1001.

Wright DR, Gathers R, et al. Hair care practices and their association with scalp and hair disorders in African American girls. J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 64:253-62.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

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What Questions Might Your Healthcare Provider Ask To Diagnose And Categorize Your Hair Loss

Your healthcare provider might ask about your habits:

  • What kinds of hair products do you use?
  • What kinds of hair styles do you wear?
  • What types of food do you eat ?
  • Do you have a habit of pulling your hair out ?

They might ask about your history:

  • Has anyone in your immediate family experienced hair loss?
  • Is there anything stressful going on in your life?
  • What medications and supplements do you take every day?
  • Has hair loss ever happened to you before?
  • What foods are in your diet?

And, they might ask about your observations:

  • How long have you been losing hair?
  • Have you been shedding more?
  • Have you noticed hair loss in places other than your scalp, like your eyebrows? Leg and arm hair?
  • Does anything worsen your hair loss?
  • Does anything improve your hair loss?
  • Have you noticed hair loss occasionally or has it been going on continuously?
  • Have you noticed if your hair growth has changed?
  • Has your hair been breaking more often?

Treatment For Hair Loss

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Dermatologists at NYU Langone prescribe medications to prevent further hair loss and, whenever possible, regrow hair. If the results of diagnostic tests reveal an underlying medical condition as the cause of hair loss, your doctor partners with specialists in other fields to ensure that you receive the treatment you need.

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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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