Cosmetic Options For Hair Loss
When medical treatments fall short, women can also consider cosmetic options to make up for lost hair, such as wearing a wig. At the other end of the spectrum is hair transplantation, a surgical procedure that moves active follicles from the back of the scalp to areas where the hair is thinning. Once transplanted, the hair grows normally.
Hair transplantation is typically performed as an outpatient surgical procedure. In appropriate patients, it can be extremely successful, but it wont work for everyone, says Dr. Scott. One drawback is the expense: it can cost thousands of dollars and is not covered by insurance. The procedure also requires recovery time. And it may not be appropriate for women who have diffuse thinning across the whole scalp. Its more effective in treating smaller, more defined areas of balding.
Types Of Hair Disorders
The 4 broad categories of hair loss include:
- Hair loss
- Hair shaft disorders
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Speak with a qualified doctor confidentially to plan a tailored treatment for your dermatological concern. Let us help you with your skin and hair problems.
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- More than 50% of dermatology research papers in Australia are published by our team
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- Our dermal clinic uses state of the art laser machines
Our Clinics
Sinclair Dermatology provides services for removing unwanted or excessive facial or body hair.
We use medical grade hair removal laser machine that is operated by medically trained staff.
Laser hair removal is considered to result in permanent hair reduction and each laser appointment go for no longer than 30 minutes.
Excess hair in women is characterised by the growth of thick, dark hair in typically male areas of the body including the back, chest and face. A common cause of this is polycystic ovarian syndrome . In some cases, there may be a genetic reason behind developing PCOS. For other women, excess hair only occurs when they are overweight.
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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Underlying Causes For Hair Loss
Numerous problems can trigger female hair loss. Some are external, such as taking certain medications, frequently wearing hairstyles that pull the hair too tight, or even a stressful event such as surgery. In other cases, thinning hair is triggered by something going on inside the body for instance, a thyroid problem, a shift in hormones, a recent pregnancy, or an inflammatory condition.
Hair loss may also be genetic. The most common genetic condition is known as female-pattern hair loss, or androgenic alopecia. Women with this condition might notice a widening of the part at the top of the head, often beginning when a woman is in her 40s or 50s. You might experience this if you inherit certain genes from one or both parents. Hormonal shifts that occur during menopause may also spur it.
Another trigger for hair loss in women is an inflammatory condition affecting the scalp. That might be eczema, psoriasis, or a condition called frontal fibrosing alopecia, which typically causes scarring and hair loss sometimes permanent at the front of the scalp above the forehead.
Other common causes of hair loss include overuse of damaging hair products, or tools such as dryers and other devices that heat the hair. Underlying illness, autoimmune conditions such as lupus, nutritional deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances may also cause hair to shed.
Scarring Forms Of Hair Loss
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia tends to start on the top of the head with breakage and thinning, and often with some tenderness of the scalp, says Dr. Goh. It gradually spreads outward and can cause permanent hair loss. CCCA is especially common among Black women. Some recent studies have found that about 25% of people with this form of hair loss have a genetic mutation in one of the proteins thats responsible for the formation of the hair follicle, says Dr. Lenzy. On top of that, she notes that the same haircare practices that create tension and cause traction alopecia also contribute to CCCA.
Lichen planopilaris
Lupus
Lupus of the scalp is another form of scarring alopecia thats autoimmune, says Dr. Lenzy. Its common, especially in women of color. It shows up as red, scaly, thick lesions that dont usually hurt or itch.
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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.
How Can Hair Loss In Women Be Prevented
Preventing hair loss is not possible when it is due to disease, aging, heredity or physical stressors like injuries. You can prevent hair loss caused by caustic chemicals or tight hairstyles by avoiding them. You might be able to prevent some hair loss by eating a healthy diet that provides necessary nutrients in terms of vitamins, minerals and protein. You can stop smoking.
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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.
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.
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Alopecia Treatment At Rush
We offer both nonsurgical and surgical treatments for alopecia. If your hair loss is caused by an underlying condition or reaction to a medication, your hair will often grow back on its own once the condition is treated or medication changed.
Your dermatologist can offer medications and procedures to treat alopecia. Your treatment will depend on what is causing your hair loss.
Natural Treatments For Thinning Hair
With some conditions, such as hair thinning, resulting from a traumatic life event, getting your hair back on track is just a matter of time and patience. If you know your hair loss is not at temporary problem or youre just looking to regain a prior level of thickness, these are the some of the natural treatments for thinning hair that will hopefully help to get your hair growth back on a healthy track.
1. Rule Out Medications
Its important to make sure that you dont take medications that could actually cause hair thinning. There are many medications that have been linked to hair loss. Make sure you know the possible side effects of your current medications as well as your supplements. If you know one of them may cause hair loss, that could be the culprit right there. Below I list some of the most common medications that can contribute to thinning hair and hair loss.
2. Herbs
Saw palmetto extracts and supplements can work well for hair thinning because they keep testosterone levels balanced. Opinions about saw palmetto as an effective hair growth agent are mixed, but there are studies that indicate it to be beneficial.
One study conducted at the Clinical Research and Development Network in Colorado tested 34 men and 28 women, aged 1848 years, who topically applied saw palmetto extract in lotion and shampoo base for three months. The results found that 35 percent of the participants had an increase in hair density.
3. Reduce Stress
4. Balance Hormones
5. Foods that Help
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What Can A Dermatologist Do For Hair Loss
Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP
Youre losing your hair, but who do you call? Many people dont know what type of doctor or professional to contact when they start experiencing hair loss or thinning. Your barber might be able to confirm, Yep, theres less than last time! but that hardly serves as a diagnosis and certainly wont help you get prescription hair loss treatments.
The best medical professional for that job is a dermatologist. You might think of dermatologists as skin doctors and not associate your scalp with your complexion, but hair follicles are located in the skin, and the two are most definitely closely related.
You Have A Visible Receding Hairline
Male pattern baldness often begins at your hairline, with the hair around your temples starting to thin and your hairline beginning to recede.
Experts assess the severity of hair loss using the Norwood scale a seven-type scale that goes from a full hairline to severe, horseshoe pattern hair loss. In the first few stages, the hair on your scalp might still be thick, but your hairline may show visible signs of recession.
If youve started to notice your hairline becoming thinner, higher and more M-shaped, its best to make an appointment with a doctor that specializes in hair loss.
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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.
And Then My Hair Fell Outand Didn’t Come Back
For the most part Ive always liked my hair. I had enough to do what I liked, but I was never that girl who complained of having a horses mane, headaches from heavy hair, or offers to be in a Pantene commercial. There were times I wished I had those problems, but in general I was satisfied. UNTIL.
This was my hair nine years ago. Just the perfect amount of hair for me. Not too much and not too little
Until three years ago when half my hair fell out. I was a few months postpartum with baby number 6. I didnt lose any hair with babies 1-4. I lost some with number 5, but I lost a ton with number 6. I was really unhappy about it, but I knew it would come back. UNTIL IT DIDNT. What???!!!!! My hair didnt come back? Nope. In fact, nothing came back. Not my hair, my energy, my zest, my figure, or my mojo. After six babies I knew my bodys timeline for things getting back to normal, and it wasnt happening this time.
Turns out I had some pretty serious health problems to deal with, and it took a while to find a doctor who could help me. In that time my hair has filled in and fallen out and filled in, but its still not as thick as it was. To be honest, Ive cried about my thinning hair, many, many times. Its been SO HARD. I felt ugly. And old. And sad. And used up. And broken.
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Treatments For Hair Loss
While there is no cure for hair loss, a number of treatments can slow or reduce hair loss, stimulate partial regrowth or replace damaged hair. Men with advanced balding find that surgical hair transplantation is beneficial.
Age-related hair loss and hereditary forms of hair loss are hard to reverse. Hair loss treatments can control alopecia areata and in some cases hair thinning stabilises so baldness can be avoided.
Cosmetic hair loss and alternative treatment options:
Some men and women who are experiencing hair loss discover that wearing wigs and hairpieces can help them feel like themselves again.
Other treatments suggested for hair loss include:
- Massage,
- Herbal remedies like saw palmetto,
- Zinc,