What Are Common Hair Loss Causes And Treatments
Hair loss can happen due to poor diet, stress, medical conditions, poor styling choices, wrong hair products, scalp infections, aging, and many other reasons. Most hair loss conditions are not serious and can be managed easily through medical support and lifestyle change. However, if your hair loss is extreme or due to genetic reasons, recovery is almost impossible with topical solutions and non over-the-counter drugs.
For men in an advanced stage of hair loss, we suggest using a non-surgical hair replacement system for recovery. It will provide you with a head full of hair almost instantly and that too at an affordable price. Our range of hairpiece toupees for men and wigs for women is designed to be lightweight, comfortable, and natural-looking.
Pull Test And Tug Test
This simple test measures the severity of hair loss. During a pull test, a dermatologist grasps small sections of hair, about 40 strands, from different parts of the scalp and gently tugs. If six or more strands fall out, you have whats known as active hair loss.
This may mean you have one of the following types of hair loss: telogen effluvium, in which hair falls out all over the scalp due to an interruption in the bodys cycle of hair production anagen effluvium, or rapid hair loss resulting from medical treatment loose anagen syndrome, which most commonly develops in young children and occurs when hair that is not firmly rooted in the follicle early androgenetic alopecia, better known as male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss or advanced alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease in which the bodys immune system attacks healthy tissues, including the hair follicles.
During a tug test, the doctor grasps a section of hair and holds it with two hands, one near the root and one near the tip, then tugs to see if any of the strands break in the middle. This test gives the dermatologist information about the brittleness or fragility of your hair strands.
A doctor may use the tug test when he or she suspects a hair shaft abnormality, which causes hair strands to thin, weaken, and possibly break.
Do You Need A Specialist
For many, the decision to bring in a medical specialist is determined by ones health care plan. HMOs require patients to first see a primary care physician, who may then refer them to a specialist. On the other hand, PPO health plans require no referral, allowing patients to choose their own specialist.
You May Like: Is Hair Loss A Symptom Of Lupus
Also Check: Is Rogaine The Best For Hair Loss
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.
Also Check: Will Cutting My Hair Help With Hair Loss
Is It Possible To Cure Baldness For Good
Unfortunately, its hard to give a solid yes, especially if your hair loss is influenced by genetic factors. Patients with scarring on the hair follicles may also find it more difficult to grow new hairs.
Hereditary conditions such as androgenetic alopecia is hard to fully cure even with a hair transplant and you can still see hair loss in the future. The best way is to seek treatment early so you can start saving as many hair follicles as you possibly can.
Except for hair loss caused by genetic factors, the majority of hair loss is usually temporary and reversible.
What we can at least guarantee however, is that early treatment can minimize hair loss and maximize hair regrowth, although you shouldnt expect it to grow as thick and full as your glory days.
Hair Loss Isnt An Enigma Anymore Start Your Treament With Us Today!
There are plenty of other treatment options that claim to reverse hair loss, but at the end of the day, it is best to seek help from an aesthetic doctor to provide you consistent and guaranteed results.
These alternative treatments are often not clinically proven to provide results and the safety of such treatments is also not guaranteed.
FUE hair transplant may not always be the best option, although it is the only permanent solution available today. Our doctors also believe in using a combination approach for faster and better results!
Now that we have answered your questions, it is time for you to starting asking yourself:
You May Like: Can Lupus Cause Hair Loss
How To Find A Dermatologist Specializing In Female Hair Loss
Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP
We typically think about our hair in cosmetic contexts. Your hair gets styled, cut, colored and otherwise cosmetically altered by professionals who are largely focused in their expertise on how hair looks.
So if youve got long hair and want to make it short, you go to someone who knows how to wield a pair of scissors with precision.
But what about the opposite situation? What happens when your hair isnt growing at all, or is beginning to show signs of damage?
Hair specialists arent a common topic in the medical industry for a reason: hair doctors are typically specialists within another specialty field: dermatology.
So if you have hair problems, you go to a dermatologist. But will just any dermatologist do? Maybe not.
If youre having serious hair issues , its important to find the right healthcare professional for your locks.
How to do that is actually quite simple, once you know what questions to ask, and where to look.
How Is Hair Loss Treated
Talking about hair loss, there are some lifestyle changes that you can make in order to improve your hair loss. As for your dermatologist, he/she can prescribe drugs or recommend some over-the-counter drugs to help treat your case of hair loss. Scalp injections might be required as well. Scalp injections are one of the most commonly used treatments that dermatologists prescribe for hair loss. You and your doctor can also discuss the possibility of hair transplant if there is a severe hair loss going on.
Remember It all comes back to the reason that has been causing you to lose hair rapidly. If it is stress that has been causing your hair loss, managing your stress levels will do some good. If it is a thyroid issue, treating it usually results with an improvement in your hair loss. As soon as that reason is discovered, you can proceed to exercise, improve your diet, and use all of the tips and treatments that your dermatologist has recommended.
Recommended Reading: What To Do For Hair Loss During Menopause
Don’t Miss: Does Toppik Cause Hair Loss
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.
Where To Find A Hair Dermatologist
One of the best places to search for a dermatologist is actually through the American Academy of Dermatology Association website.
They allow you to search by zip code and name, as well as to filter for things like conditions to be treated , the focus of their practice , and procedure including hair transplants.
There are some things you may want to try and decipher about your hair issues beforehand, like what kind of hair loss youre dealing with.
While its a healthcare professionals job to diagnose your issues, knowing more about the kind of hair loss you may be experiencing can help you find the right professional, so lets look at a few common hair loss types.
If you need some help, you can always reach out to your primary healthcare provider and tell them whats going on.
They should be able to recommend a specialist that makes sense with your location, your insurance, who theyve worked with and can vet, etc.
Read Also: What Helps Female Thinning Hair
What Is The Outcome For Someone Who Has Hair Loss
With an accurate diagnosis, many people who have hair loss can see hair regrowth. If you need treatment for regrowth, the earlier you start, the more likely you are to see regrowth.
Its important to understand that:
-
Not every type of hair loss can be treated, but a dermatologist may be able to prevent further hair loss.
-
It can take months before you see results from treatment.
-
No one treatment works for everyone, even two people with the same type of hair loss.
-
Sometimes, hair loss is stubborn and requires trying different treatments before finding one that works.
Self-care also plays an essential role in preventing and treating hair loss. To find out what dermatologists recommend, go to Hair loss: Self-care.
Images1,2: Getty Images
3: Property of the American Academy of Dermatology, A to Z Video Series
4: Image used with permission of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998 39:578-89.
ReferencesAdil A, Godwin M. The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 77:136-141.
American Academy of Dermatology:
-
Research demonstrates potential of platelet-rich plasma therapy for hair loss News release issued March 1, 2019. Last accessed May 22, 2019.
-
New generation of laser and light therapies could provide future treatment options for skin, hair and nail conditions, News release issued March 16, 2012. Last accessed May 22, 2019.
What Are The Myths About Hair Loss
Myths about hair loss are widespread. Nothing in the following list is true:
- Youre losing hair because you shampoo it too much, or because youve colored it or gotten a perm.
- Dandruff causes permanent hair loss in women.
- Stress causes permanent hair loss in women.
- If you shave your head, your hair will grow back twice as thick.
- If you stand on your head youll increase circulation, stimulating hair growth.
- If you brush your hair 100 strokes a day that will make your hair healthier.
- Hats and wigs cause hair loss in women.
- Hair loss only affects intellectual women.
Read Also: How To Prevent Hair Loss For Teenage Guys Naturally
Recommended Reading: Does Kadcyla Cause Hair Loss
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.
Whats The Best Doctor To See For Hair Loss
If youâve 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.
Itâs 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 youâll 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?
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Natural Remedy For Hair Loss
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.
What Is Male Pattern Baldness
Androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern hair loss, is the most common type of hair loss. It is hereditary and can begin anytime after puberty.
The prevalence of male pattern hair loss increases with age, so while its possible to begin seeing hair thinning in your 20s or 30s, the likelihood youll experience it goes up with each .
In men, androgenic alopecia follows a predictable pattern, hence the name male pattern hair loss. It generally begins as thinning around the temples, spreading backwards across the head, and thinning at the crown, spreading outwards in a circle.
Diagnosing androgenetic alopecia is generally a matter of examining the scalp for that predictable pattern, noting it has a gradual onset, and asking about your family history of hair loss.
Also Check: Can H Pylori Cause Hair Loss