What Does A Hair Doctor Usually Ask In The First Session
During the first appointment, the dermatologist or trichologist may ask when you first noticed hair loss, whether you are taking any kind of medication, and do you have any family history of hair loss or baldness?
Based on your response, the doctor may advise you to undergo the following tests:
Blood Test: To determine any kind of health problem such as thyroid.
Hair Pull Test: In this test, the doctor will pull a couple of your hair strands to see how much hair comes out.
Scalp Biopsy: In this test, the hair doctor will take a sample from your scalp to run further tests and identify the exact reason for hair loss.
Other Concerns With Hair Loss
Treating the cause often stops hair loss, and hair grows back. In some cases, other treatment is needed.
Hair care for cancer treatment
Hair loss caused by cancer treatment requires special care: Use mild shampoos. Do not use a hair-dryer.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles, where hair growth begins. Because hair often grows back within a year, you may decide not to have treatment. Understanding the come-and-go nature of hair loss with this condition can help you make the best treatment decision. Children and teenagers may need counselling to help them adjust to the hair loss.
Medicines, such as corticosteroids, can be used to treat alopecia areata.
Women taking birth control pills
Women with inherited hair loss who wish to take birth control pills should use a pill type that does not add to hair loss, such as a norgestimate or desogestrel.footnote 2
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How Do Dermatologists Diagnose Hair Loss
Because so many things can cause hair loss, a dermatologist acts like a detective and begins by asking questions. The dermatologist will want to know whether your hair loss happened suddenly or gradually. Knowing this helps to determine the cause.
A dermatologist also will ask what medicines you take, what allergies you have, and whether you have been dieting. It is important to give the dermatologist accurate information. Like a murder mystery, the slightest clue can solve the case. Women may be asked about their menstrual cycles, pregnancies, and menopause.
The dermatologist also will carefully look at your scalp and hair. During an exam, the dermatologist may pull on your hair. Sometimes a dermatologist needs to pull out a hair to get the necessary evidence. And sometimes a dermatologist needs to look at the hair on the rest of your body to see whether there is too little or too much hair in other areas.
Sometimes the evidence lies in your scalp. The dermatologist may remove a small piece of the scalp. This is called a scalp biopsy. A dermatologist can quickly and safely perform a scalp biopsy during an office visit. A scalp biopsy can be essential to solving the case. Sometimes, a blood test is necessary.
Because so many things can cause hair loss, it can take time to find the cause.
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What Kind Of A Doctor Should I Consult For My Hair Fall Problems
Because different conditions such as thyroiditis, hypopituitarism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia and polycystic ovarian syndrome can cause hair loss, you may need to see a doctor who is a dermatologist or an endocrinologist for treatment. A dermatologist can treat hair loss, which is hereditary, and an endocrinologist can diagnose and treat hair loss symptoms associated with various endocrine disorders.
A trichologist too can effectively treat your hair loss symptoms. A trichologist is a doctor who specializes in the study of hair and can treat baldness, hair breakage, itchy/flaking scalp and different forms of alopecia.
How Is It Treated
Treatment for hair loss depends on the cause. It also depends on your feelings. You may decide that you need treatment, or you may not be worried about thinning hair or baldness. The choice is up to you.
If hair loss is caused by something that won’t last or can be treated, your hair is likely to grow back. For example, if an underactive thyroid is causing the problem, taking thyroid medicine may help. And most hair lost during chemotherapy will grow back after the treatment ends.
Hair loss that runs in the family can be treated with medicines or hair transplant surgery. Some people choose to wear hairpieces, like wigs or toupees. Finding different ways of styling your hair, like dyeing or combing, can help.
If hair loss is caused by something you can control, like stress or medicines, you can treat it by getting rid of the cause.
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What Doctor To See For Hair Loss And Related Faqs
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11May 2022
Losing hair strands is devastating for both men and women. However, most individuals ignore the early signs of hair loss which later lead to baldness and thinning that is hard to reverse. Thats precisely why hair experts recommend consulting a doctor whenever you notice unusual hair fall.
When it comes to medical consultation, a lot of individuals dont know which doctor to see for hair loss. On account of this, Lordhair a leading hair system brand decided to share a quick guide on hair loss consultation and related questions.
Read on!
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?
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The Verdict: What Kind Of Doctor Should You Trust To Diagnose And Treat Your Hair Loss
Hopefully weve helped you see why a dermatologist is the right kind of medical specialist to see for hair loss, as theyve gone through extensive schooling and training to understand the scalp and any corresponding hair concerns. They are the ideal solution to pick an online dermatologist because the process is convenient, affordable, and just as effective as going in person to see a specialist referred by your primary care physician.
We recommend Keeps as the #1 option for men online, because they offer clinically proven prescription and over-the-counter hair loss treatments at an affordable price. We also love that you can save by buying finasteride and minoxidil in bulk from Keeps.
For women, Hers is our top choice for online hair loss meds. They have specialized, clinically proven solutions for womens hair concerns, including prescription medications and over-the-counter options, as well as personalized treatment plans for your needs.
If the thought of adding a synthetic pill into your daily routine makes you paranoid, or if youre concerned about any possible long-term side effects, no matter how remote, Nutrafol for men and Nutrafol for women provide a natural alternative for hair loss.
If you want to see a doctor for in-person treatment, we recommend Hairclub as the top in-person hair loss treatment.
What’s Required To Become Board Certified
Once a dermatologist has successfully completed their residency, they have the option of becoming board-certified by completing a challenging exam that will test the knowledge and skills they’ve acquired over the last decade of education.
Anyone that has their board certification granted by the American Board of Dermatology, the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology, or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada has received the most rigorous education possible in the field of dermatology.
In other words, there is no other person that will know more about your hair, skin, and nails than a board certified dermatologist.
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How Can I Stop My Hair Loss
You can follow a few hair hygiene tips to make your hair less likely to fall out.
What Doctor Should I See For Hair Loss
When it comes to seeking help for hair-related issues, it often makes sense to start with your primary care physician, or PCP your regular doctor that you see for check-ups. Your PCP will already have a general idea of your overall health and may be able to provide helpful context in the case of hair loss.
For instance, in some cases, hair loss or shedding can be sudden, triggered by a stressful life event or some other temporary medical condition. This sudden form of hair loss, called telogen effluvium, is generally temporary and resolves on its own. Since telogen effluvium is one of the most common causes of temporary hair loss and increased shedding, most PCPs will be familiar with it and able to help determine what to do.
But your PCP is a good place to start no matter your type or cause of hair loss because they can help you take the next step forward. They may discuss your symptoms with you and order some preliminary bloodwork to explore possible causes. They can then refer you to a dermatologist, trichologist or another specialist who is equipped to treat your specific issue.
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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
- 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.
Dermatologist Exams For Hair Loss In New York
There are many different causes why a male or female patient could be losing hair, ranging from autoimmune, stress, hormonal issues, nutrition, metabolic, and genetic. If you are experiencing hair thinning or hair loss, the first step is to set up a consultation with a board certified dermatologist, like Dr. Michele Green. Dr. Green will begin her examination by first taking your complete medical history which includes all of your past medical conditions, surgeries, travel, and medications. Next, she will examine your skin, hair, scalp, and nails, to ascertain the reason behind your hair loss. Baseline photographs will be taken for your private medical record, to track your progress during treatment.
Depending on the type of hair loss, a complete panel of blood work including hormonal, autoimmune, and metabolic tests may be ordered in order to help confirm and identify the etiology of your hair loss. The skin and scalp, as well as the hair itself, can give clues as to the reason for your hair loss. A biopsy or fungus culture of the scalp, skin, nails, or the hair itself, may be needed in order to arrive at the correct diagnosis for your hair loss and formulate the best treatment plan. Alopecia can be a complicated issue and it is important that a complete analysis be performed to ascertain the causes of hair loss.
3 months before and after injections for hair loss
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How To Get Hair Dye Off Face
Rubbing alcohol and soap is another way to tackle dye stains. Wet a cotton ball with some rubbing alcohol and soap, rub it gently onto the affected area, and rinse when done. You can also apply a soapy mixture of baking soda and dishwashing liquid to the affected area with a washcloth. Rub gently and rinse off.
Recover Your Hair With Lordhair
In the last 2 decades, Lordhair has helped hundreds of thousands of men and women recover from diverse hair loss conditions through its collection of premium hair wigs and hair integration systems.
Have a question in mind? Email them at support@lordhair.com and get them answered by our hair experts.
Check out our recent blogs as well!
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What Really Works For Thinning Hair
Minoxidil. Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved ingredient found to improve hair loss, and it’s available as an over-the-counter treatment or prescription. Minoxidil can enhance the size of the follicle so that it produces a bigger strand of hair, explains Wilma Bergfeld, MD, a Cleveland Clinic dermatologist.
You Arent Losing Hair Yet But Have Concerns
Finally, its often worth seeing a hair loss doctor even if you havent started to experience major hair loss, but simply want to be prepared and have a plan ready for dealing with hair loss if and when it becomes an issue for you.
You may want to talk to a hair loss doctor if you have family members with visible hair loss, such as a parent or sibling.
Alternatively, if you use medication that can cause hair loss, you may want to meet with a doctor to discuss your options if your hair starts to shed or thin.
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Reasons To See A Trichologist
Trichologists treat a wide range of hair and scalp conditions:
Male and Female Hair Loss
Pattern baldness is a common form of hair loss, or alopecia, in men and women. For men, hair is lost in a well-defined pattern, starting above both temples, eventually receding to form a characteristic âMâ shape. Women are more likely to experience overall hair thinning without a receding hairline.
In addition to the emotional aspects of hair loss, pattern baldness in men has been associated with several serious medical conditions, including coronary heart disease, enlargement of the prostate, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Hair loss in women is associated with an elevated risk of polycystic ovary syndrome , a hormonal imbalance that can cause irregular menstruation, acne, and weight gain.
Hair Shedding
Hair shedding, or telogen effluvium, occurs when large sections of hair fall detach from the scalp. This can be caused by several conditions, including stress, surgery, high fevers, blood loss, hormonal change, and childbirth. Hair shedding is a common side effect of some chemotherapy drugs.
If youâre experiencing hair shedding, a trichologist might be a good place to start. They should be able to direct you to a physician who can help you with underlying conditions.
Scarring Alopecia
Scarring alopecia is caused by inflammatory disorders, chemicals like hair relaxers, and several fungal conditions.
Excessive Hair Growth in Women
Is Hair Shedding Normal
There is a difference between hair loss and hair shedding. Because your hair follicles undergo a growth cycle, hair that is no longer growing will be shed as new hair grows in. The resting phase of hair is known as telogen, and roughly 10-15% of hair exists in telogen at any given time. It is normal to shed about 50-100 hairs every day, as hair follicles begin to grow new hair .
Excessive hair shedding can lead to thinning hair and hair loss. Excessive hair shedding is known as telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium may be caused by hormonal changes , stressors, or medical conditions.
Medical conditions that can cause telogen effluvium include:â Anemia
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Folic acid
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Omega-3 fatty acids
If you suspect that you experience hair loss due to a vitamin deficiency, it is recommended that you talk to a health care provider before supplementing your diet with vitamins and minerals. Need help figuring out a hair loss treatment thatâs right for you? Get in touch with a doctor on Sesame to discuss your symptoms and possible treatment plans. Doctors on Sesame can prescribe medication, provide medical advice, and perform exams to diagnose hair loss conditions such as alopecia areata, ringworm, and more. Donât stress about that receding hairline talk to a real, quality doctor on Sesame today to get quality hair care }.
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Answer: Female Hair Loss
A hair transplant surgeon is an excellent provider to visit regarding female hair loss. A dermatologist is also a good route to go if one wants to rule out treatable or preventable causes of hair loss. If one decides on going to a dermatologist, it is wise to find one with advanced training or an interest in hair loss.
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Whats Required To Become Board Certified
Once a dermatologist has successfully completed their residency, they have the option of becoming board-certified by completing a challenging exam that will test the knowledge and skills theyâve acquired over the last decade of education.
Anyone that has their board certification granted by the American Board of Dermatology, the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology, or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada has received the most rigorous education possible in the field of dermatology.
In other words, there is no other person that will know more about your hair, skin, and nails than a board certified dermatologist.
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