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What Does Inherited Hair Loss Look Like
Inherited hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss. It is inherited from either or both the mother and the father.
- In men, hair loss occurs on the scalp above the forehead and on the top of the head. Bald spots are noticeable.
- In women, hair loss occurs as thinning of the hair all over the scalp, but mostly on the top of the head. Women tend to keep their front hairline and do not generally develop bald spots.
Can Certain Hairstyles Or Treatments Cause Hair Loss
Yes. If you wear pigtails or cornrows or use tight hair rollers, the pull on your hair can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. If the pulling is stopped before scarring of the scalp develops, your hair will grow back normally. However, scarring can cause permanent hair loss. Hot oil hair treatments or chemicals used in permanents may cause inflammation of the hair follicle. This can result in scarring and hair loss.
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Why You Need A Dermatologist For Hair Loss Not A Trichologist
11 Mar 2020
If you are looking for the right person to treat your hair loss its important to know the facts so that you get the very best treatment available. Hair loss can be caused by a whole range of conditions, such as alopecia areata, many different autoimmune diseases, anaemia, thyroid disorders, traction, and baldness. While it can potentially be caused by one of these disorders, female hair loss can also occur as a result of polycystic ovary syndrome after pregnancy and during menopause.
Dont Force People Experiencing Hair Loss To Act Bright And Sunny
When someone is suffering from hair loss for the first time, dont expect them to act cheerful.
Going through hair loss is hard, and while a can-do attitude is helpful, you cant expect someone to have that attitude right away.
Thats why saying things like It will grow back soon can make people feel like youre disregarding their feelings and emotions.
It took a lot of courage for your friend to come and talk to you about losing her hair and shes coming to you for support, not to tell her how to feel.
There will be plenty of time to talk about wigs, offer positive affirmations, or look into medical solutions later. The first and most important thing is that you help your friend emotionally grapple with her hair loss however she chooses.
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Prepare Yourself To React Appropriately To The News
Seeing a friend whos experiencing hair loss for the first time can come as a shock.
Your friend might look sick, she may have lost significant patches hair, or he may have lost all of his hair altogether.
The first time you see a friend thats losing hair can be upsetting for any number of reasons, but you should try not to let your emotions get in the way of what your friend is experiencing.
This isnt the time to deal with your emotions and past experiences with hair loss.
When a friend tells you about their loss, you should be prepared to listen and be supportive.
No matter how emotional you feel about the situation, remember that its 10x more emotional for your friend. And, more likely than not, shes already going to be self-conscious about your reaction.
Try and empathize with whatever emotions your friend is expressing. If hes sad, be sad with him. If shes upbeat and wants to act normal, follow her lead.
Prepare yourself emotionally for that first conversation so that when the time comes, you can be there for your friend.
Causes Of Temporary Hair Loss
You can avoid hair loss and promote regrowth when hair loss is temporarily caused by:
Tight hairstyles. Tight ponytails, braids and cornrows can all cause hair loss and damage the follicles, which regulate hair growth. Changing hairstyles can help prevent thinning. But beware: When the follicles sustain too much damage, hair loss can be permanent.
Extreme physical shock/stress. Dramatic changes in the body can cause temporary hair loss. Giving birth, rapid weight loss, surgery and certain illnesses may cause more hair loss than usual, typically in the resting phase. But hair should grow back over time.
Medical therapies and toxic substances. Chemotherapy, certain other drugs and radiation treatments can prompt hair loss, mainly in the growth phase. Hair loss can strike suddenly, anywhere in the body. It is typically temporary .
Nutritional deficiencies. Not getting enough iron, protein or vitamin B12 in your diet can also cause your hair to thin. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor about supplements.
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Compliment Your Friends Wigs Hats Or Shorter Locks
The most important thing is that your friend knows that, no matter how much hair she does or does not have, shes still beautiful.
Regardless of whether or not your friend decides to go bare, wear a wig, or cover her head with a scarf, theyre still your beautiful friend.
Support your friend no matter how they decide to deal with their hair loss.
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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What Causes Hair To Thin
Any number of lifestyle factors, genetics, recent life events , or medical conditions can cause your hair to thin.
Lifestyle factors could include using certain hair products, wearing your hair up too tightly, experiencing high stress levels, or not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals in your diet.
People who have immune system deficiencies could also have thinning hair.
What Treatment Will A Hair Loss Doctor Prescribe
Since hair loss can occur for several reasons, theres no one-size-fits-all treatment for hair loss that doctors prescribe.
When you meet with a hair loss doctor, theyll look at your scalp and identify the primary cause of your hair loss. Theyll then suggest the most appropriate treatment based on the type of hair loss you have and its severity.
Most of the time, hair loss in men is caused by male pattern baldness. If you have this type of hair loss, your hair loss doctor will likely prescribe medications for hair loss such as finasteride and minoxidil.
Finasteride is an oral medication that works by preventing your body from producing DHT, the androgen hormone that causes hair loss.
Minoxidil is a topical medication. It works by moving your hair follicles into the growth phase of the hair growth cycle, and by stimulating blood flow to your scalp.
Research shows that finasteride and minoxidil are particularly effective when used together. In one study published in the journal Dermatologic Therapy, more than 94 percent of balding men who used both medications experienced improvements in hair growth over 12 months.
We offer finasteride, minoxidil solution and minoxidil foam online, with finasteride available after a consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate.
In some cases, your hair loss doctor may suggest using a topical DHT blocker or anti-hair loss shampoo for extra protection.
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How Do You Stop Obsessing About Hair Loss
its totally unimportant in the grand scheme of thingslook at the news, try getting active theres so much going on right now
Baldingat188 said:I am an early stage diffuse thinner and I find it really hard to get it off my mind. I constantly feel like I am heading for doom and there is nothing I can do about it. I probly take at least 100 pics of my hair everyday and spend 90% of the time while I am alone looking at my hair. This takes a toll but I don’t see how I can just “ignore it”Lately I have tried to make some progress with dating , ect but whenever I am talking to someone attractive off the opposite sex I can’t shake the feeling ” they are to good for me” , ” they wouldn’t like me if they knew about my hair loss”I want to escape this mental prison but it seems impossible . Dating and all that stuff makes it worse because you are worried about looking good for other people in addition to yourselfPlease no “man up” answers. But really , does anyone else Obbess this much , if so how do you combat it ?
What Is Dmdm Hydantoin
DMDM hydantoin is a type of antimicrobial compound called a formaldehyde releaser or donor. DMDM hydantoin releases small amounts of formaldehyde, which prevents bacteria and mold from growing.
So, what is formaldehyde? Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling, naturally-occurring chemical that is often used in industrial cleaning products thanks to its ability to kill germs. It is also commonly used as a preservative in funeral homes and medical labs.
Although formaldehyde is a common ingredient, there is evidence that its a carcinogen . According to the American Cancer Society1, exposure to formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory test animals.
But because formaldehyde is so effective at preventing the growth of bacteria and mold, DMDM is commonly added to hair care products like shampoo to preserve them and increase their shelf life. DMDM hydantoin is a very popular preservative and is found in many widely available shampoos, conditioners, and other water-based hair products.
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Dmdm Hydantoin Hair Loss: What You Need To Know
Have you heard of DMDM hydantoin hair loss? Its rumored that popular hair care products formulated with this ingredient can actually damage the hair and scalp, leading to hair thinning. In fact, class-action lawsuits have been filed against certain popular hair brands for including this ingredient in their products. But is there any truth to this claim? Keep reading to learn more about DMDM hair loss.
Can Thinning Hair Grow Back
Thinning hair can grow back depending on what caused it to thin in the first place. Individuals who experience thinning hair due to nutrient deficiencies, stress, pregnancy, and other non-genetic reasons could experience regrowth.
If youre experiencing new hair loss or hair thinning, its best to consult your doctor. Some medical conditions can be associated with thinning hair.
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Lifestyle And Home Remedies
You might want to try various hair care methods to find one that makes you feel better about how you look. For example, use styling products that add volume, color your hair, choose a hairstyle that makes a widening part less noticeable. Use wigs or extensions, or shave your head. Talk with a hair stylist for ideas. These approaches can be used to address permanent or temporary hair loss.
If your hair loss is due to a medical condition, the cost of a wig might be covered by insurance.
Should I Talk To My Doctor About My Hair Loss Symptoms
You should talk with your doctor if you notice that you are losing excessive amounts of hair or if your scalp is itchy or irritated. Your hair loss may be indicative of hereditary baldness or it might be a symptom of a larger systemic condition such as lupus. It’s important to let your doctor know about any hair loss you have experienced in order to receive appropriate medical treatment.
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When Is It Time To See A Hair Loss Doctor
The best time to see a hair loss doctor is as soon as you notice any of the early signs of male pattern baldness.
Because hair loss from male pattern baldness is permanent, acting quickly can help you to stop your hair loss from worsening and keep more of your hair.
The best time to act on hair loss can vary from one person to another. For some guys, the signs of hair loss may show up in their 20s or 30s. For others, they might appear earlier. Even guys in their teens can make early changes to prevent hair loss.
Below, weve listed some common signs that it might be time to book an appointment with a hair loss specialist.
Hair Loss Prevention For Women
Its never too early to talk with your dermatologist about what you can do to prevent or minimize hair loss especially if it runs in your family or if you have a related underlying condition, such as:
- Thyroid disorders
- Iron or vitamin deficiency
- Autoimmune disease
At the Center for Womens Integrated Health, your dermatologist and other specialists can work together to thoroughly assess your risk and offer recommendations to keep your hair as healthy as possible.
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Surgical Procedures For Hair Loss
The type of procedure that a dermatologist recommends depends on how much hair you have lost and the cause. While we do not currently provide the following surgical procedures, your dermatologist may refer you to a medical professional who does.
- Hair transplantation: Skin on the scalp that has good hair growth is removed and transplanted to areas of the scalp that need hair.
- Scalp reduction: Bald scalp is surgically removed and hair-bearing scalp is brought closer together to reduce balding. Scalp reduction surgery can be performed alone or in conjunction with a hair transplant.
- Scalp expansion: Devices are inserted under the scalp for about 3 to 4 weeks to stretch the skin. This procedure may be performed before a scalp reduction to make the scalp more lax. It also can be performed solely to stretch hair-bearing areas, which reduces balding.
- Scalp flaps: A hair-bearing segment of scalp is surgically moved and placed where hair is needed.