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.
Hair Loss: Diagnosis And Treatment
Dermatologist examining a patient with hair loss
To find out what’s causing your hair loss, a dermatologist may use a tool called a dermascope to get a closer look.
Effective treatment for hair loss begins with finding the cause. To get an accurate diagnosis, it helps to see a board-certified dermatologist. These doctors have in-depth knowledge about the many causes of hair loss and experience treating the diverse causes.
Why See A Hair Transplant Surgeon
A hair transplant surgeon is a medically licensed dermatologist who has completed both medical school and a minimum 5-year residency, during which rigorous surgical training is completed. Here are a few reasons why patients should see a hair transplant surgeon for a hair loss diagnosis:
Finding a Miami Specialist and Hair Loss Clinic
At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, we represent South Floridas finest transplant surgeons, registered nurses, microscopists, and staff. We hold your pursuit of a full head of natural, healthy hair in the highest regard. To learn more about our Institute:
Also Check: Will My Hair Grow Back After Postpartum Hair Loss
Hormones And Hair Loss In Women
Female pattern hair loss is the most common form of hair loss in women. It can occur any time after puberty, but women usually start noticing the hair loss in their 40s or 50s. It can also start even later.
For many women, female pattern hair loss is an inherited condition. You may have relatives who are affected on either side of the family.
Women notice a gradual thinning of the hair, particularly at the part. Thinning can worsen with menopause or due to hormonal imbalance from an underlying medical condition.
There are several treatment options for female pattern hair loss.At the Center for Womens Integrated Health our dermatology, endocrinology and menopause experts work together to make effective hair loss treatment a goal within your personalized care plan.
What Types Of Hair Loss Does Rogaine Help
Rogaine is the mainstay treatment for patients with androgenetic alopecia. However, it has been an excellent adjuvant off-label treatment for many other hair loss conditions, such as alopecia areata, and telogen effluvium. Minoxidil works well both for male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss. Rogaine is an FDA approved treatment for hair loss, and both men and women have showed large gains in the number of new hairs grown with daily and continued use.
Read Also: Does Xeljanz Cause Hair Loss
We Are Excited To Introduce The Hairmetrix
HairMetrix is the first AI-driven, non-invasive hair consultation solution that provides immediate measurements of hair, without pulling or clipping the hair to send it to a lab! Our world-renowned hair-loss expert, Dr. Julian Mackay-Wiggan is using this real-time analysis solution to develop appropriate treatment plans for her patients. Additionally, after treatments or procedures, such as PRP injections for hair loss, we can use this too for objective outcome monitoring.
Testing For Hair Loss
Patients can either approach their medical doctor about providing the above testing. In that case, OHIP covers most of it. Otherwise, I can test all of the above blood levels. But, patients are responsible for the actual cost of the testing. OHIP does not cover tests ordered by naturopathic doctors. Im sorry but I cannot order tests for you prior to seeing you for a full first visit.
You May Like: Can Keratin Cause Hair Loss
Platelet Rich Plasma For Hair Loss
Dr. Michele Green was one of the first dermatologists in NYC to treat hair loss with Platelet Rich Plasma injections. PRP is a holistic, straightforward and highly effective treatment. After a simple blood draw, your blood is spun in a special PRP separating tube, extracting the platelet rich plasma. The PRP has all of the important growth factors, which are injected into your scalp, to re-grow your hair. PRP has been used for years by professional athletes, in conjunction with injections into their joints, to naturally speed up healing. Patients typically benefit from 5 treatments of PRP, spaced one month apart, and annual maintenance treatments to sustain your hair and prevent future hair loss.
How Much Does Hair Loss Treatment Cost In Nyc
The cost of treating hair loss in New York depends on which treatment option you will need. Dr. Michele Green will consult with you about your individual hair loss, take a complete history, and a full examination. Based on the consultation and examination, the best treatment plan for your individual needs will be created. We will review all of the prices and procedures with you during your consultation.
Before and after cortisone injections for chin area hair loss
Read Also: Can Depression Cause Hair Loss
Prescription Medication That Can Regrow Hair
Another treatment option is to take prescription medication. The type of medication prescribed will depend on your:
-
Hair loss cause
-
Expected results
-
Plans for getting pregnant
With any medication, side effects are possible. Ask your dermatologist about possible side effects that you might experience while taking one of these medications to treat hair loss. The medications include:
Finasteride : The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved this medication to treat male pattern hair loss. When taken as directed, finasteride can:
-
Slow down hair loss
-
Stimulate new hair growth
Finasteride is a pill that you take once a day. Taking it at the same time each day seems to produce the best results.
Finasteride: Before and after
This man took finasteride to treat his male pattern hair loss, and within 1 year , he had noticeable improvement. After 2 years , he had regrown most of his hair.
Like other treatments for hair loss, this, too, takes time to work. It usually takes about 4 months to notice any improvement.
Finasteride tends to be more effective if you begin taking it when you first notice hair loss.A dermatologist may also prescribe this medication to treat a woman who has hereditary hair loss and cannot get pregnant.
If finasteride works for you, you will need to keep taking it to continue getting results. Once you stop, youll start losing hair again.Before taking this medication, be sure to discuss possible side effects with your dermatologist.
How Does Prp Help Hair Loss
PRP is a form of regenerative medicine. Its made from a sample of your blood and contains a high concentration of platelets, growth factors, and specialized proteins.
When injected into the areas of your scalp where you experience hair loss, the healing properties in PRP stimulate activity in your dormant hair follicles and prolong the growing phase of your hair growth cycle.
For PRP hair loss treatments, Dr. Hensleys team recommends monthly injections for the first three months. Dr. Hensleys team recommends you continue the PRP treatments every 3-4 months for up to two years.
Many patients notice an improvement in the thickness and health of their hair within 2-3 months of starting PRP treatment.
To learn more about treatments for your hair loss, call Metroplex Dermatology or book an appointment online today.
*Individual results may vary.
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.
Read Also: What Food Is Best For Hair Loss
Recommended Reading: Can Breast Cancer Cause Hair Loss
Treatment For Hair Loss
Dermatologists at NYU Langone prescribe medications to prevent further hair loss and, whenever possible, regrow hair. If the results of diagnostic tests reveal an underlying medical condition as the cause of hair loss, your doctor partners with specialists in other fields to ensure that you receive the treatment you need.
What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider
- What is the cause of my hair loss?
- How many strands of hair am I losing per day?
- What type of hair loss do I have?
- Will my hair loss be permanent?
- Whats the best treatment for me?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Hair loss may cause you distress whether it happens because of genetics, a disease, or even stress. Know that there are some treatments you can try, and expert dermatologists are there to help you. Your hair loss may be able to be reversed. See your healthcare provider as soon as you notice something wrong because the sooner you start treatment, the better.
Don’t Miss: What To Do For Thinning Hair On Top Of Head
The Science Behind Hair Loss
Most cases of hair loss originate from hereditary genetics, but there are a few exceptions, including radiation therapy for cancer and diseases such as lupus and diabetes. Generally, hair loss affects the scalp, though it is known to impact the rest of the body in some cases. Human beings normally shed around 100 hairs per day, which isnt noticeable as we grow in enough new hair at the same time to compensate for it. However, thinning hair is often the indicator of male or female-pattern baldness setting in. Hair loss can also occur in patches.
The process of thinning hair occurs when the shedding and growth cycle is disrupted, involving the growth rate being far outpaced by the loss rate. This is primarily caused by the hair follicle being destroyed and replaced with a patch of scar tissue instead of a new hair upon shedding.
Hair Loss Due To Damaged Or Naturally Tight Hair
Coiling, styling, and pulling hair too tightly can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss is more common among women. Two conditions that develop due to tightly coiled hair or damaging styling techniques include central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia and traction alopecia.
In both conditions, the hair follicles become damaged or are destroyed and scar tissue forms, preventing hair from growing back. This damage is usually caused by:
- Hair relaxers
- Tight rollers or curlers that pull the hair
- Braids with extensions or weaves
Don’t Miss: What Dose Of Finasteride For Hair Loss
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.
Causes And Symptoms Of Alopecia
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes you to lose hair and often leaves little bald spots on your head. Our hair is made up of mostly protein. When our body does not have enough protein, the hairs enter the resting phase. This causes us to lose hair and hair to become brittle and fall out. Alopecia is both hereditary and hormonal. It affects both males and females and can happen at any age. There are many causes related to alopecia. Causes include severe or chronic illness, thyroid disease, low-protein diets, low iron levels and improper hair care. It is also common after childbirth. If hair loss occurs, the hairs may enter a resting phase and are lost without immediate replacement. It could last up to nine months but should resolve itself without treatment. This also may be the case if you have a chronic illness.
Alopecia occurs when hair follicles are attacked by your own body, causing clumps of hair to fall out. While rare, there is a potential to lose all the hair on your head and/or on your entire body. Males are more likely to lose all their hair while women mostly experience thinning. Sometimes the hair grows back for good and other times it grows back and then falls out again shortly after. Unfortunately, alopecia is not curable, but can and should be treated by a dermatologist. During diagnosis, a skin biopsy may be performed and examined to properly diagnose the alopecia.
Don’t Miss: What Causes Hair Thinning In Teenage Males
Female Pattern Baldness Nyc
Female pattern baldness may indicate a more serious underlying health concern. Dr. Green will do a thorough history and examination to reveal the etiology of your hair loss. Female hair loss may be due to a myriad of symptoms. Some women suffer from hormonal changes such as hypothryroidism, PCOS, menopause, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, or stress. Female pattern hair loss can even be the result of a side effect of certain oral medications. Other signs of hair loss may be associated with eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, or lupus erythematosus. Female-pattern baldness typically starts with scalp hears, particularly in the front, becoming less dense. Some women first notice it when they are parting their hair or styling it. Dr. Green will do an analysis to determine the cause of your hair loss. Often a blood test or scalp biopsy may be necessary to make a complete diagnosis. One treatment which has been proven to work well in cases of female pattern baldness, is Platelet Rich Plasma this non-surgical approach uses a patients own blood cells, injected into the scalp to initiate hair re-growth. PRP is highly effective and is one of the main treatment options which Dr. Green recommends to her New York City patients, due to its impressive hair growth results.
What To Expect During An In
During an in-person hair loss visit with a doctor, they will likely start off by asking you questions about your hair loss.
- When did your hair loss start?
- How rapidly is hair being lost?
- Have you had any stressors or life changes recently?
- Have you had rapid weight changes?
- What medications and supplements are you taking?
- Is your hair breaking or growing slower?
- Do you have relatives with hair loss?
- Is the hair loss in a certain location or all over?
- Has anything made the hair loss better or worse?
After talking with you, your doctor may perform or order certain tests to get to the root of the problem.
- Blood test to identify nutritional deficiencies
- Blood test to measure DHT levels
- Blood test to identify if you have diseases related to hair loss like Thyroid conditions
- A scalp biopsy or removal of a few hairs to look at the scalp and follicles under a microscope and identify abnormalities
- Observing the hair on and around the scalp for dermatological conditions which can cause hair loss
After speaking with the doctor and getting any test results back, your doctor will either prescribe you a hair loss medication to help retain or regrow your hair, or get you treatment to help fix any underlying condition causing the hair loss.
Luckily, most cases of hair loss are able to be treated to some extent, so your doctor will likely be able to offer some answers and treatments much of the time.
Also Check: What Is A Good Shampoo For Thin Oily Hair