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.
The Best Doctor For Hair Loss
If you think you may be experiencing hair loss, the temptation might be to look up the highest-rated dermatologist in your area and make an appointment.
That inclination would be on the right track. Dermatologists are experts regarding both diagnosing and treating hair loss of all varieties, including male pattern hair loss. A dermatologist will help you figure out if your hair loss is merely male pattern hair loss, or if its something else entirely. Depending on the cause, hair loss can often be prevented and even reversed in many cases.
Thinning Hair Dont Panic Girl Your Dermatologist Is Here
Are you or someone you know suffering from hair loss? Youre not alone. According toHarvard University, about one-third of women experience hair loss at some time in their lives and among postmenopausal women, as many as two-thirds suffer hair thinning or bald spots.
As dermatologists, twin brothers Dr. Kevin DeHart and Dr. Kelly DeHart have seen it all when it comes to hair loss. Typically, women wait longer than men to come in about their hair struggles. However, the sooner you see a dermatologist, the sooner you can begin the hair regrowth process.
Timeliness is a factor when it comes to hair loss, said Dr. Kelly DeHart. If you leave hair loss untreated for years, you may not see as much regrowth as you do when you see a dermatologist within a few months of noticing symptoms and beginning treatment.
When it comes to hair loss, treatment is indefinite. While there isnt a cure, there are some great treatment options that can make a big difference when it comes to hair regrowth.
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Procedures To Help Regrow Hair
While at-home treatments offer convenience, a procedure performed by a board-certified dermatologist tends to be more effective. For this reason, your dermatologist may include one of the following in your treatment plan.
Injections of corticosteroids: To help your hair regrow, your dermatologist injects this medication into the bald areas. These injections are usually given every 4 to 8 weeks as needed, so you will need to return to your dermatologists office for treatment.
This is considered the most effective treatment for people who have a few patches of alopecia areata, a condition that causes hair loss. In one study of 127 patients with patchy alopecia areata, more than 80% who were treated with these injections had at least half of their hair regrow within 12 weeks.
Hair transplant: If you have an area of thinning or balding due to male pattern baldness, your dermatologist may mention a hair transplant as an option. This can be an effective and permanent solution.
Laser therapy: If using minoxidil every day or taking medication to treat hair loss seems unappealing to you, laser therapy may be an option. Also called low-level laser therapy, a few studies suggest that this may help:
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Hereditary hair loss
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Hair loss due to chemotherapy
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Stimulate healing and hair growth after a hair transplant
Studies indicate that laser therapy is safe and painless but requires many treatment sessions. To see a bit of hair growth, you may need several treatments a week for many months.
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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What Hair Loss Doctors Should I See
Endocrinologist focus on the endocrine organs which are responsible for hormone secretion. The endocrine organs consist of the pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, testes, and pancreas. An endocrinologist is able to first diagnosis the problem and then also provide treatment to restore hormone balance. Endocrinologist mainly treats:
- Diabetes
- Over and underproduction of hormones
- Menopause
- Cancer of the endocrine glands
When it comes to hair loss, these are great doctors to see if you believe you have an underlying issue as to why you are losing hair. In general, we would suggest seeing them just to rule out there is not an underlying issue.
Dermatologist focus on the skin and appendages . They study the structure, function, and diseases. They can perform medical examinations as well as surgery. This would include laser surgery, skin cancer surgery, photodynamic therapy and cosmetic procedures such as botox, soft tissue fillers, sclerotherapy, and liposuction. Within this field of study, there is dermatopathologist who look at the skin, usually a biopsy of skin, under a microscope. Immunodermatologist focus on the diagnosis and management of skin disease driven by an altered immune system.
A dermatologist is great to see regarding hair loss if we know there is no underlying issue with our endocrine system.
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 Is The Prognosis/outlook For Women With 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.
Answer: See A Board Certified Dermatologist
While surgical correction is a method for treating hair loss, ‘hair transplant surgery’ is not a diagnosis of the root cause of your hair thinning. Dermatologists are trained experts in the various causes of hair loss, including hormone imbalances, autoimmune conditions, and other ‘organic’ causes of hair loss, many of which can be corrected far easier than hair transplant surgery or simply injecting PRP into the scalp, which seems to be the new, expensive, and favorite treatment performed by non-dermatologists for the blanket diagnosis of ‘hair loss’.
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Female Pattern Hair Loss
Patients have a history of increasing hair shedding when washing or brushing their hair. Their ponytail or bun becoming less full and gradual thinning is noticed especially over the crown. It is normal to lose hair daily however most females seem to realise reasonably quickly that the hair fall has increased and isnt normal for them. In the early stages, hair loss can be stopped and sometimes reversed with hair appearing thicker after 2-3 years of treatment. If the hair loss is significant at presentation, realistically, we could slow down further loss but reversing the loss is much more difficult.
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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How Common Is Hair Loss In Women
Many people think that hair loss only affects men. However, it is estimated that more than 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss. The most significant cause of hair loss in women is female-pattern hair loss , which affects about one-third of susceptible women, which equals out to some 30 million women in the United States.
Do You Need A Hair Loss Doctor
Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP
If youve noticed your hairline starting to recede or your hair beginning to thin, one of the most important steps you can take in stopping any further hair loss is getting in touch with a hair loss doctor.
Hair loss can start as early as your teens, and many men start to notice the early signs of male pattern baldness in their 20s or 30s.
The point is, with hair loss, the earlier you take action and seek out professional treatment, the more of your hair youll generally be able to keep.
Luckily, almost all male hair loss is treatable today. A hair loss doctor can work with you to find out whats causing your hair loss and put together a hair loss prevention plan that helps you to minimize further loss and keep as much of your hair as possible.
Not sure if you need a hair loss doctor? Below, weve listed the key benefits of talking to a hair loss doctor, as well as some signs you can look for to know when its time to take action and do something about your hair loss.
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Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
Platelet rich plasma therapy will require a blood sample to get started. After you have blood drawn, the fluid will be placed into a centrifuge that will separate the blood into different components. The platelets, which are a type of blood cell, will be treated and injected into the affected area of your scalp. Its believed that these platelets can help to stimulate new growth.
Although early research is promising for this approach to hair loss treatment, more studies are needed to know whether this is a safe and effective treatment for male pattern baldness.
The Benefits Of Seeing A Hair Loss Doctor
With hair loss drugs like minoxidil available over the counter, seeing a doctor for your hair loss might seem like an unnecessary step. However, there are still plenty of reasons to meet with a hair loss doctor if youre starting to experience the early signs of male pattern baldness.
One of the first reasons to see a hair loss doctor is that they can help you to identify the specific type of hair loss you have.
As we covered above, hair loss can occur for several different reasons. If you work long hours in a stressful environment, it could be telogen effluvium hair loss that occurs as a result of chronic, severe stress.
If youve recently dealt with a serious injury or illness that causes fever, its possible that it could also be telogen effluvium.
There are also other reasons for hair loss. For example, a diet that contains little or no essential vitamins and minerals can lead to weak, thinning hair. Some men also experience hair loss as a result of skin conditions, certain medicines and lack of sleep.
Hair loss can also be hereditary. For example, male pattern baldness often occurs in people with a family history of hair loss.
Since hair loss doctors specialize in identifying the primary causes of hair loss, they can quickly and easily inform you about why your hair loss is occurring, as well as what you can do to treat it effectively.
If your hair loss isnt genetic, a hair loss doctor can help you find out the root cause using one of several different tests:
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Women And Hair Loss: Coping Tips
Losing your crowning glory can be particularly difficult for women. But there are ways to cope.
Losing your hair as a woman, especially if you’re young or at a vulnerable time in your life, can badly affect your confidence.
Hair loss, known medically as alopecia, is fairly common. It’s estimated, for instance, that around 40% of women aged 70 years or over experience female-pattern baldness the most common type of hair loss, which is thought to be inherited.