Should I See A Dermatologist For Hair Loss
Of course, you can ask for advice from your dermatologist online, but we would recommend seeing him/her personally. Do not make the mistake of thinking that a dermatologist is only trained to take care of any skin issues. Your dermatologist is able to recognize and treat any issues that are linked, not only to your skin but also to your nails and hair. That is why, during your visit at the dermatologist, you will be asked to take away most of your clothes, so that your doctor can inspect the whole skin, your scalp and hair, and your nails to look for any irregularities.
Of course, your dermatologist will also ask you about your medical history and perform a physical exam. Other tests such as a blood test or a hormone test might be required as well. For example, if your dermatologist discovers that it is really a serious hair loss case that you are dealing with, he/she would naturally want to investigate further and discover the reason behind it. You might be instructed to expand your visit to an endocrinologist or even another dermatologist due to the importance of a second opinion.
What Is Androgenetic Or Androgenic Alopecia
This type of alopecia is often attributed to genetic predisposition and family history. Androgenic alopecia appears in both men and women. The hair loss in men is often faster, earlier onset, and more extensive.
Doctors refer to common baldness as “androgenetic alopecia” or “androgenic alopecia,” which implies that a combination of hormones and heredity is necessary to develop the condition. The exact cause of this pattern is unknown.
Male-pattern baldness
Even men who never “go bald” thin out somewhat over the years. Unlike those with reversible telogen shedding, those with common male-pattern hair loss don’t notice much hair coming out they just see that it’s not there anymore. Adolescent boys notice some receding near the temples as their hairlines change from the straight-across boys’ pattern to the more “M-shaped” pattern of adult men. This normal development does not mean they are losing hair.
Some “myths” about male-pattern baldness
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How To Prepare For A Visit To A Hair Loss Specialist
They key is to make sure the doctor has specific expertise and knowledge in hair loss.
The most suitable doctors to assess your hair loss concerns are a dermatologist , hair loss clinic or a medical professional who specialises in diagnosing and treating scalp and hair disorders .
Tips to assist your doctor
- Make a list of important personal information, especially any recent life changes or major stresses youve experienced
- List all the medications including supplements/vitamins you are currently taking
- List any medical conditions you are affected by
- Jot down some questions youd like to ask your doctor about hair loss
Questions your doctor might ask you
- When did you first begin experiencing hair loss?
- Do you lose hair continually or just occasionally?
- Have you noticed any of the following: hair breakage, shedding or poor hair growth?
- Have you lost hair overall or in patches?
- Have you found anything that seems to improve or worsen your hair loss?
- Is this the first time you have experienced hair loss or has it occurred previously?
- Is anyone in your immediate family affected by hair loss?
- What medication or supplements do your take regularly?
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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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Causes Of Excessive Hair Loss
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.
Should You See A Dermatologist For Hair Loss
Are you worried that you are losing hair rapidly? Are you overwhelmed and confused about what you are supposed to do and who you are supposed to talk to? Do you perhaps ask yourself Should I see a dermatologist for hair loss? Well, read on to discover the answer to that question in just a few minutes!
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Support Your Bodys Nutritional Needs
Exercise is great for boosting circulation to our follicles, but also make sure youre giving your body all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients it needs to feed those follicles.
Taking a hair growth vitamin with biotin will help curb hair breakage and also grow healthy hair from the get-go, said Dr. Mullans.
Our GRO Biotin Gummies and GRO+ Advanced Hair Gummies can help provide the nutritional support your follicles need to thrive, all in a completely vegan, once-daily gummy that helps boost a healthy diet or fill any gaps.
For an approach that combats hair thinning internally and topically, try the best-selling GRO More Kit, which include GRO Biotin Gummies plus a bottle of GRO Hair Serum, which features clinically proven ingredients that can increase the appearance of hair density by up to 52% and reduce signs of shedding by up to 76% in as soon as four months.
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What Does A Trichologist Do
Specialists working in this field help people with issues such as hair loss, hair breakage, oily scalp, and scalp psoriasis. Some trichologists can also treat problems related to conditions like alopecia and trichotillomania, or hair-pulling disorder.
Trichologists examine the hair and scalp to diagnose and recommend treatment for your condition and its severity.
However, since theyâre not physicians, they cannot prescribe drugs or perform medical or surgical procedures.
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How To Find A Professional Dermatologist
There are various kinds of people in spas, saloons who claim to be dermatologists and give medical advice to people, but they are not dermatologists.
The Center For Disease Control has revealed that there were roughly about 39 million visits to non federally employed, office based dermatologists in the USA in the year of 2010.
Every doctor has to have the license to practice medicine after completing medical school and having the necessary training experience. This is just the basic qualification to begin the practice.
However in almost all the countries, to become a dermatologist, a doctor has to go through a special on the job training and should be accredited by a certified board in that country or a board which is recognized in that particular country by completing the relevant exams.
Accreditation by a certified board suggests that the relevant doctor has both skills and expertise to attend to medical issues related to dermatology. I personally believe that you should seek the advice of an accredited dermatologist, if you really want to the medical help of a doctor.
United States of America and Canada
Following are some of the organizations which provides, accreditation in USA and Canada to dermatologists, certifying that they have higher knowledge and expertise to deal with skin related issues
1. The American Board of Dermatology in Massachusetts which certifies physicians in dermatology.
United Kingdom
New Zealand
Australia
What Treatment Will A Hair Loss Doctor Prescribe
Your hair loss doctor will prescribe treatment based on the cause of your hair loss. If your hair loss is genetic , the most common treatment option is finasteride and/or minoxidil.
These medications work by blocking hormonal hair loss and regrowing your hair for a thicker, stronger and healthier hairline. Each works slightly differently you can learn more about the differences in our guide to Minoxidil vs Finasteride.
Sometimes, you might also be recommended a topical DHT blocker or anti-hair loss shampoo for extra protection.
If your hair loss is caused by stress or another health problem, your hair loss doctor might be able to prescribe something to treat the underlying condition. In some cases, they might refer you to a specialist for a specific treatment to end the underlying problem and the hair loss.
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Should I See A Dermatologist Or Hair Restoration Surgeon
This blog is still pretty new, and Ive already received this question a number of times from readers.
A few of my readers have received hair loss misdiagnoses from doctors theyve also received some peculiar recommendations.
Ultimately, I dont think title matters here. You want to visit the best, most experienced doctor in your area who specializes in hair loss and whether that doctor is a hair restoration surgeon or a dermatologist is largely irrelevant.
That said, there are pros and cons to seeing a dermatologist, just like there are pros and cons to seeing a surgeon. In this post, Ill review the advantages and disadvantages in each case, and hopefully help you determine which doctor is the best fit for you. Lets begin.
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Do You Need A Hair Loss Doctor
Medically reviewed by Patrick Carroll, MD
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 some men experience the early signs of male pattern baldness in their 20s or 30s. The point is, with baldness, the earlier you take action and seek treatment, the more of your hair youll 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 protocol that helps you 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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How Can I Tell If I Have Female Pattern Hair Loss
Its best to make an appointment to see a dermatologist. Dermatologists are the experts in diagnosing and treating hair loss. A dermatologist can tell you whether its FPHR or something else that is causing your hair loss. Other causes of hair loss can look like FPHL, so its important to rule out these causes.
Thinning Hair And Hair Loss: Could It Be Female Pattern Hair Loss
For most women, FPHL begins in midlife, when a woman is in her 40s, 50s, or 60s. It can begin earlier for some women.
FPHL is a progressive condition. This means women tend to continue losing hair. But women do not lose all of their hair, as do some men. Instead, your part often gets wider. Hair near your temples may recede. Without treatment, some women eventually develop widespread thinning.
Treatment can prevent hair loss from worsening and help women regrow their hair. Treatment delivers the best results when started at the first sign of hair loss.
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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?
Hair Loss Occurs As A Result Of Age Certain Diseases Or Treatment For A Variety Of Health Conditions
You lose up to 100 hairs from your scalp every day. This is normal, and in most people, those hairs grow back. But many men and some women lose hair as they grow older. You can also lose your hair if you have certain diseases, such as thyroid problems, diabetes or lupus. If you take certain medicines or have chemotherapy for cancer, you may also lose your hair. Other causes are stress, a low protein diet, a family history or poor nutrition.
Treatment for hair loss depends on the cause. In some cases, treating the underlying cause will correct the problem. Other treatments include medicines and hair restoration.
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