How Do Dermatologists Treat Alopecia Areata
If you just received your diagnosis and have had alopecia areata for less than a year, your dermatologist may recommend a wait-and-see approach. Your hair may regrow on its own, making treatment unnecessary.
When treatment becomes necessary, your dermatologist will consider many factors, including:
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Your age
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The amount of hair loss you have
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Where you have hair loss
Its important to know that no one treatment works for everyone. To find one that helps, you may need to try a few types of treatment or different medications. Heres what your dermatologist may recommend.
Consider Changing Your Hair Style
There are certain styles and cuts that are especially flattering for women with thinning hair.
Cuts: Long hair can weigh down fine hair. Stylists recommend that women with thinning hair get frequent trims and that they add layers for volume. One especially flattering cut to try is a choppy bob another is a pixie. Uneven bangs can create depth and texture.
Color: Lowlights and highlights can add depth and dimension, which can make hair look more full. Lighter hair can make a visible part and scalp look less pronounced.
Styles: If you always part your hair on the right, try parting it on the left for added volume. A jagged part can hide a visible scalp, and can also make the top layers stick up, as if youve teased your hair. Blow drying creates volume as well. Loose waves, created with a diffuser and sea salt spray, can make hair appear thick and bouncy. So can curling your hair. A half-pony with the bottom half curled or left straight, and the top pulled up high, adds fullness and height. African-American women with thinning hair may want to try side bangs, twist outs, and updos with cascading hair and bangs, using the hair you have to cover the thinning spots.
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
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Talk To Your Doctor About Cortisone Shots Or Acupuncture For Perimenopause Hair Loss
The data is inconclusive as to whether or not cortisone shots actually work at re-growing hair, but I do know one woman who gets them frequently and says they have really helped her. Cortisone shots are given at the scalp, and the Mayo Clinic suggests they should not be given more often than every six weeks.
While I know of some women who have had luck with acupuncture for hair loss, the British Acupuncture Society states that there is no evidence that acupuncture can treat hair loss as a specific symptom however, it might help with the underlying problem.
Whats Actually Causing Your Thinning Hair
The first thing to know about hair loss is that its actually a bit complex. Your hair grows in three stages, SELF explained previously. These include a growth phase from a root in the hair follicle, a transitional phase when the growing stops, and a resting phase, after which the hair falls out and the follicle takes a break before growing another hair.
Its totally normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology , which you might notice on your pillow in the morning, on your hairbrush, or in the shower. If you go a few days without showering, you might notice more than a single days worth of hair in the shower, which may be a little disconcerting, but is still totally normal.
Youre born with about 100,000 follicles on your scalp, and youll never gain or lose any, the AAD says. However, as you age, some follicles may stop growing hair and you may experience hair loss . When and how this happens is influenced by a bunch of factors, including our genetics and the natural hormonal changes we experience as we age, Shilpi Khetarpal, M.D., dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF.
Once you know what youre up against, there are some easy ways to help manage thinning hair at home or with the help of an expert. Here are the top tips we learned from dermatologists and hair stylists on how to protect your hair and restore some of its fullness and shine.
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How Much Zinc Should I Take
But before I answer that, I want to tell you that supplements are only supplements and they cannot replace eating fresh fruits, vegetables, lentils, nuts and other real foods.
If you think you are not getting enough zinc from your diet or you are at increased risk, you can take the pills. They are available in capsule or tablet form.
The amount of zinc you need is about:
- 11 mg for men
- 8 mg for women
This is the recommended dietary allowance for zinc in the United States. For the UK is also very similar: 9.5mg for men and 7mg for women .
Many forms of zinc supplements are available, including zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate, and zinc acetate, zinc citrate and zinc picolinate. They all are believed to work in very similar way, so one type is not thought to be better than the other. But if you ask me, I prefer the last two.
Where to Buy Zinc Supplement
Its available every where. In pharmacy, supermarkets, health food stores and online here.
Zinc has many health benefits, but too much zinc can be bad for you.
Its so easy to overdose if you find out you are zinc deficient. But for love of your hair dont do it. Why?? Because like too little zinc can cause hair loss, too much also can cause hair loss. Yikes!! yes and you dont want that, right? So stick to the recommended dose .
Zinc supplement also interferes with medication such as antibiotics and diuretic. And it can lower blood sugar levels.
That is all about zinc for now, before we end lets recap:
Until next time
Hair Loss: 9 Dermatologist
Yadira G. Morel / Getty Images
Have you been worried that you’re shedding more hair than usual? Do more and more strands seem to be coming loose, or does your hair seem to be thinning at your part? It’s absolutely normal to lose hair regularly. In fact, Gary Goldenberg of Goldenberg Dermatology in New York City says that losing as many as 100 strands a day is standard. But when you start noticing significant hair loss in the shower, on your pillow, or on your brush after brushing, it’s time to visit a dermatologist for evaluation.
To address, assuage, and provide solutions for any hair loss concerns, we reached out to Goldenberg and certified trichologist Gretchen Friese, to give us the 101 on hair loss treatments. “The most common cause for hair thinning and hair loss is genetics,” says Goldenberg. “The genetic male or female pattern hair loss is extremely common and can start to manifest as early as in the 20s.” Read on to learn more about the best hair-loss treatments according to our experts.
Meet the Expert
- Gary Goldenberg is a board-certified dermatologist at Goldenberg Dermatology in New York City.
- Gretchen Friese is a BosleyMD Certified Trichologist in Denver, CO.
Piotr Marcinski / EyeEm / Getty Images
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How Does A Transplant Work
A doctor will move healthy hair from the back and side of your head to the top. The process can be costly, and you may need to do it a few times before it works. After 2 months, youâll shed most of what the doctor moved, but new strands will grow back. Itâll start to look normal within 6 months.
Top 10 Natural Treatments For Thinning Hair
Men and women of all ages yearn for thicker, fuller hair, especially when thinning hair becomes a visibly noticeable problem. Thankfully, there are natural treatments for thinning hair like balancing hormones, reducing stress, eating a proper diet and more.
The average adult head has about 100,000 to 150,000 hairs and loses around 50 to 100 hairs each day. That may sound like a lot, but its actually completely normal. You might think that losing so many hairs would make your hair look thinner, but thats only if the normal process of new hair growth isnt up to speed. As long as hair regrowth and hair loss are in proper balance, hair thinning isnt a problem, but for a lot of people hair loss is a daily concern. Aside from the less than ideal appearance of thinning hair, there is the greater fear that the thinning will turn into permanent hair loss and baldness.
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Promise Of Recognition That Hair Loss Is Often A Sign Of A Medical Condition
This report provides a commonsense approach that is very useful, and because it helps to distinguish hair loss due to androgen overproduction from other causes, women can better understand what medications might be useful and what benefit to expect or hope for, Dr. Anawalt says.
One bit of advice that Dr. Anawalt was especially happy to see:
A recommendation that women worried about hair loss try the hair pull test. Try to pull gently on the end of a group of 50 hairs in multiple areas of the scalp, he says. It is normal to have 0-2 hairs come out per pull. More than that suggests telogen effluvium, which does not respond to anti-testosterone therapy but may reflect altered thyroid hormone or estrogen levels or a nutritional deficiency.
There are also some caveats that women must understand about hair loss, Dr. Anawalt notes.
- Hair loss due to aging isnt reversable.
- Treatment with minoxidil results in only modest improvement of hair growth.
- Anti-androgen treatment offers benefits only to women with either high levels of circulating blood testosterone or evidence of excess testosterone production.
The guidelines nicely describe emerging evidence of the important growth factors for hair, and we might see effective treatments for hair loss for women and men based on further investigation and development of treatments related to these growth factors, says Dr. Anawalt.
Neither doctor has any financial conflicts with regard to this article.
Conventional Treatment For Thinning Hair
Conventional treatments for thinning hair include medications and surgery.
When hair is caused by an underlying disease, conventional medicine likely includes drugs like prednisone to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Common side effects of prednisone include confusion, headache, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, thinning skin, acne, sleep problems and weight gain.
There are also two drugs on the market today that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat pattern baldness or thinning. The first one is minoxidil, commonly known commercially as Rogaine, and it can be used by both men and women. You may experience hair regrowth or a decreased rate of hair loss, but the growth is not permanent and will stop if you stop using it. Some common side effects may include severe scalp irritation, undesirable growth of facial hair, chest pain, rapid heart rate and more.
Another conventional option in pill form is called finasteride. Again, you need to keep taking it to retain benefits. Additionally, women who are or may be pregnant need to avoid touching crushed or broken tablets. Side effects may include impotence, loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm, abnormal ejaculation, swelling in your hands or feet, feeling faint,headache, runny nose, and skin rash.
Precautions Regarding Natural Treatments for Thinning Hair
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What Can I Do About Traction Alopecia
To protect your hair from traction alopecia and prevent further damage:
- Ask your stylist to create looser braids or dreadlocks.
- If you have braids, remove them after three months.
- If you wear a weave or hair extensions, remove them after eight weeks.
- If you have relaxed or dyed hair, make sure these treatments are applied by a professional. If you still notice breakage or hair shedding, avoid chemical treatments completely.
- Minimize heat styling, including hair dryers, flat irons and curling irons. These wear out the hair and can lead to major hair loss.
Nutrafol Natural Hair Growth Formula
Nutrafol is a new approach to hair growth and available from Spectrum Dermatology. As a 100% drug-free alternative for stress and hormonally related hair loss and hair thinning, Nutrafol works by controlling inflammation, stimulating the hair growth cycle, and helping with proper nourishment that leads to hair growth.
How Nutrafol Works
The research behind the success of Nutrafol shows that inflammation, oxidative stress, and irregular signaling are the root cause of stress-related and hormonal hair loss. Triggers cause the release of free radicals and micro-inflammation which produces chemical molecules that alter the hair growth cycle forcing them to shed away. Nutrafol prevents this cycle by balancing essential hormones, repairing the follicles and reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and in turn allowing the hair to grow.
Nutrafol has highly concentrated, clinically-tested ingredients that strengthen and repair hair without prescriptions or medications. Ideal for both men and women, we invite you to learn more by today 948-8400.
Nutrafol Hair Growth Before/After Photo*
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When To See A Specialist
While some people may not consider hair loss to be a serious medical problem, if it negatively affects daily activities, hobbies, or relationships, it might be a good idea to talk to a health care provider.
If hair loss has become a problem or there are concerns that PCOS might be the cause, undergoing tests to assess hormone levels is a good first step. If a hormonal imbalance is the case, a health care provider can explain options for controlling PCOS and recommend possible treatments for hair loss.
If hair loss has become a problem or there are concerns that PCOS might be the cause, undergoing tests to assess hormone levels is a good first step.
For people who are experiencing PCOS hair loss, talking to a health care provider can help clarify how PCOS plays a role and what treatment options may be available. Effectively managing PCOS can take time and some trial and error to find what works, but its entirely possible to treat.