What Are The Best Online Dermatologists For Hair Loss
Instead of going through the hassles of visiting a hair loss specialist in person, you have the option to move your visit online, giving you access to a dermatologist, but virtually. Modern telehealth and direct-to-consumer companies make this not only possible, but extremely convenient.
This process skips the need for referrals, driving to and from visits, waiting in the doctors office and going to the pharmacy for your prescriptions on an ongoing basis. Instead, everything is conveniently handled online and your prescription is sent to your door.
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Are You Suffering From Hair Loss Problems
Now you are aware of doctors who can help you in treating your hair loss problem. To determine your hair loss problems, it would help if you had a clear picture of what is troubling you.
- Whether your hair loss has been temporary or chronic.
- Is your hair loss patchy?
- Are you suffering from any other problems?
- Is your hair only thinning or falling out and balding as well?
- The nature of your lifestyle and your dealings with stress.
- Whether anyone in your family has experienced similar hair loss.
- If you are suffering from any other condition like thyroid disorders.
- What medications you are on.
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What Types Of Physicians Can Treat Alopecia
In truth, there are a few different types of physicians who might be able to provide a basic alopecia, or hair loss, diagnosis. The following professionals typically encounter patients who suffer with thinning, shedding, or balding hair.
Hair Stylists are among the first professionals to notice signs of hair loss. While these individuals are not licensed medical professionals, they can help you determine whether or not certain hard-to-see areas are receding, losing volume, or becoming thinner. It is recommended that you see a licensed medical professional if a stylist or hairdresser notices such signs.
Trichologists are professionals who have studied trichology, or the health of the hair and scalp. Not all trichologists are licensed medical professionals, however. For effective hair loss treatment, we recommend patients choose a hair loss clinic and/or licensed medical professional to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Endocrinologists are licensed medical professionals who specialize in the endocrine system, hormones, and the diseases that result from hormonal imbalance. Hormonal imbalance can often cause hair loss, so it is common for this type of physician to see patients who suffer with thinning, shedding, or balding. They do not specialize in hair restoration, however.
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What Type Of Training Does A Dermatologist Have
It takes roughly 12 years of education to become a licensed dermatologist.
Before they can begin practicing, a dermatologist must complete:
- Four years of college to earn a bachelors degree
- Four years of medical school to become a medical doctor
- A year-long internship
- Three years of residency, where they work alongside experienced doctors and complete 12,000 to 16,000 hours of patient treatment
What About A Trichologist
While a trichologist is defined as a hair and scalp specialist, they are more of a bridge between cosmetology and dermatology than their own field. They are generally educated and trained in life sciences and will look at hair loss problems in a holistic way by evaluating their clients’ personal history, lifestyle, genetic factors, and environmental conditions.
Depending on the situation, a trichologist may suggest an individualized treatment, give nutritional advice, and recommend lifestyle changes in order to improve the overall health and appearance of the hair and the scalp.
However, this profession is considered to be para-medical in nature, meaning that they assist physicians and doctors and have not received the same level of education themselves. While a trichologist may work with your doctor to figure out a possible treatment for your hair loss, they can not prescribe medications.
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Youve Gone Through A Major Hormonal Shift
Hormones are responsible for so much within our bodies. They regulate many functions throughout your body and also are a key element in hair loss. According to the National Library of Medicine, 50 million men and 30 million women experience hormonal hair loss.
Of the five types of hair loss, the most common cause is hormonal, triggered by the fluctuations in hormone levels, including testosterone and its conversion into a molecule called DHT or dihydrotestosterone. DHT causes the hair follicles to shrink, which can alter the hair growth cycle and potentially shorten the hair growth phase.
And, as we age, hair loss increases by age 70, its estimated that 55% of women will experience some sort of hair loss, according to the Mayo Clinic. This is often connected with menopause, in which estrogen levels plummet, in turn leading to changes in hair, including loss. Other hormonal events think pre- and post-partum, along with pregnancy can also alter hair growth cycles and the hair itself. Schedule a visit with your doctor to discuss alternatives in treating hormone-related hair loss.
What Causes Hair Loss
Many instances of hair loss are linked to genetics. If you have a family history of hair loss or balding, you may be more likely to experience these issues with age. Hair loss can also occur due to changes in hormones, particularly during pregnancy and menopause, and because of any thyroid issues. Stress may play a factor in hair loss as well.
Medical conditions and medications have been linked to certain types of hair loss. Alopecia areata, for example, is a common condition that causes hair loss in patches. Infections can have a similar effect. If youre taking medications for conditions like depression, heart disease, and high blood pressure, hair loss could be a side effect. So, its important to talk to your doctor about any concerns. Hair loss is a common side effect for cancer drugs like chemotherapy, as well as cancer treatments like radiation to the head region.
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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.
How Is Diffuse Aa Diagnosed
If you notice increased hair shedding or that your hair feels thinner than it used to, see a doctor. As with all forms of hair loss, identifying it and treating it early will increase your chances of hair regrowth and effective management. You can see your primary care physician, although a dermatologist or trichologist may be better equipped to diagnose your hair loss.
Since it may be very similar to telogen effluvium or androgenetic alopecia, you need an experienced provider to properly identify the diffuse form of alopecia areata, said Dr. Kazlouskaya.
A dermatologist, for example, will discuss your symptoms and go over your general medical history before examining your scalp. She will likely perform a hair pull test, which is just as it sounds grasping a small section of hair and gently pulling it to see how much hair comes out. A positive hair pull test means there is active hair loss. The dermatologist might also examine your scalp with a trichoscope, which can give her information about hair fiber growth.
The dermatologist will also look for exclamation point hairs and broken hairs, which are common occurrences with alopecia areata. An exclamation point hair gets its name from the fact that it looks like an inverted exclamation point. These are short, fine hairs that are thicker at the top and thinner closer to the scalp. Your doctor may also take a complete blood count through blood testing and a small scalp biopsy to aid in the diagnosis.
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Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy For Hair Thinning
Frequently asked questions about PRP Therapy.
Platelet Rich Plasma therapy is a restorative treatment that uses plasma from your own blood to stimulate re-growth of your hair. PRP therapy stimulates the bodys inactive hair follicles to re-grow healthier, thicker hair and aids in the bodys natural healing process. Performed in our office, PRP is a simple, non-surgical treatment that takes less than hour per treatment.
Who is a good candidate for PRP?
PRP has proven effective for common non-scarring forms of hair loss, which are also known as:
- Female pattern hair thinning
What Is A Trichologist
Trichology is the branch of dermatology that deals with the scientific study of the health of hair and scalp. A trichologist is usually a doctor who can diagnose the causes of hair loss, diseases of the scalp and treat accordingly. All dermatologists are trichologists and female hair loss is a particular interest of mine.
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Can Stress Cause Hair Loss
There are three types of hair loss that is associated with stress, they are Telogen effluvium, Trichotillomania, and Alopecia Areata. With Telogen effluvium, stress causes the hair follicles to become dormant , and after three months in the resting period the hair falls out. This stress results in reduced hair growth and thinning. The stressor event, such as a fever, surgery, or other illness, can induce between 20 to 50 percent of scalp hairs to transition into the telogen phase, before the hair falls out. Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks its own hair follicles. Trichotillomania is an uncontrolled and impulsive disorder of pulling ones hair which results in the hair being pulled from the follicle. It can take six weeks to six months from a stressful event for hair loss to occur. Stress related hair loss can be permanent if its not treated in its early stages. In some cases, there can also be scar related issues such as cicatricial alopecia where damaged skin may impact hair growth, or prevent regrowth of new hair.
Why Is My Hair Falling Out After Covid
Temporary hair loss is normal after a fever or illness While many people think of this as hair loss, its actually hair shedding. The medical name for this type of hair shedding is telogen effluvium. It happens when more hairs than normal enter the shedding phase of the hair growth lifecycle at the same time.
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What Doctor Should You See For Hair Loss
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.
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.
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Lasercap For Hair Loss
The LaserCap is a highly effective prescription-strength laser therapy, which is FDA approved, for hair regrowth in both men and women. The LaserCap re-energizes inactive hair follies using Low-Level-Laser Therapy , which is a safe, and natural, proven way to increase hair growth. It is particularly effective as a maintenance device for hair growth, and is a drug-free alternative for patients who do not want to take oral medications. The LaserCap is available at the office of Dr. Michele Green and has been proven more effective than other advertised lasers on the market.
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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