Skin ExpertsSkin ConditionsHair Loss

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Learn More About Treatment Options for Hair Loss

Before and after male and female hair loss

 

Hair Loss

The average adult has 90,000 to 150,000 hairs. Most grow about one inch every two months. Loss of anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs per day is normal. Hair loss beyond this rate may be due to:

  • Genetics and hormones. These are the most frequent cause of hair loss. This predisposition to balding is referred to as male pattern baldness, common baldness or androgenic alopecia.
  • Stress brought on by traumatic experience, nutritional deficiency or severe illness.
  • Medication side effects.
  • Other medical conditions such as anemia, under-active thyroid or fungal infection of the scalp.
  • Improper hair care caused by harsh chemicals or dyes, too frequent shampooing or combing or vigorous toweling.

True Skin Experts Live: "Hair Loss Solutions" With Drs.Amelia Hausauer and Rebecca Kazin

Why treat hair loss?

Hair loss is a particularly distressing condition that can lead to extreme emotional, social and professional issues.

 

 

Treatment for Hair Loss

  • Micro needling: a device that consists of thousands of needles and is used to treat hair regrowth. Studies have shown after 12 weeks, patients have seen hair regrowth. Consult your doctor before using a device that is not prescribed.
  • Low Laser Light Therapy: is a safe, painless at home therapy that is FDA approved, and its efficacy has been. During this treatment, the laser penetrates the scalp to stimulate circulation and the hair. Results are shown after 6-9 months.
  • Injections of Corticosteroids: for hair regrowth, dermatologists inject this to the patient’s bald head. Patients will need to go every 4 to 6 weeks for treatment.
  • Minoxidil (Rogaine®): apply at home once or twice a day to see hair growth. This can help hair loss, with results in 3 to 6 months.

Non-Scarring vs. Scarring 

Non-scarring has an effect on both males and females in which hair follicles are preserved with potential hair regrowth. Examples of non-scarring hair loss include: androgenetic alopecia, which becomes more common as we age; alopecia areata, a type of patchy hair loss in children and adults; telogen effluvium, caused by significant shifts in physical or emotional health and changes in medication; and trichotillomania, caused by individuals pulling out their own hair. 

Scarring occurs when the scalp has been inflamed making it harder for hair to regrow. Examples of scarring hair loss includes discoid lupus erythematosus, folliculitis decalvans and lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia.

Restoring hair growth can be treated with a board certification dermatologist's guidence and may include supplements including Vitamin D, a hair transplant that can help restore hair density, medications including Topical minoxidil and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in which the patient's own blood is drawn and injected into the scalp. 

Male Hair loss

Female Hair Loss

Mid Age Diverse Male

Do's and Don'ts

Do...

  • Dry hair gently.
  • Keep hair short (for men). Longer hair styles accentuate baldness.
  • Act sooner rather than later to deal with hair loss.

 

Don't...

  • Use a bristled brush for styling.
  • Comb over to the side to hide hair loss.
  • Use too many hairstyling products
  • Towel off too briskly.
  • Purchase unproven products.

General questions to ask before the procedure

  1. Is a doctor on site?
  2. Is the doctor board-certified in dermatology or in another specialty with equivalent training and experience?
  3. Was my medical history taken?
  4. Was I given an initial evaluation to determine if the technique or procedure is appropriate for my skin type?
  5. Did the doctor show me before-and-after photos?

Questions to ask the dermatological surgeon 

  1. Which hair loss procedure is the correct one for me? (What are the options?)
  2. What is the estimated cost of the procedure?
  3. How long is one appointment?
  4. How often will I need to receive treatment?
  5. How far apart are the treatments?
  6. What are the common side effects or complications associated with the procedure?
  7. How can I prepare for the treatment/procedure?
  8. Do the treatments hurt?
  9. What are my pain management and anesthesia options?
  10. How long is the recovery time associated with my procedure?
  11. Do you have before-and-after patient images to help to prepare me for what to expect?
  12. Will someone walk me through the process before going in for treatment?
  13. What are the risks?
  14. What should I expect after the procedure is performed? (i.e., short-term and long-term effects; activity restrictions; expected recovery period)