Hair LossHacks

What are the types of hair loss?

The medical term for hair loss is alopecia. This includes the loss of visible hair or hair shaft, and the loss of the skin structure that makes hair, which is called the hair follicle.

“When the loss is centered around the hair shaft without affecting the health, size, or density of hair follicles, there may be a physical or structural cause, such as damage to the hair from traction, hair treatment activities or infection,” Dr. Zelac explains.

When the follicles are affected, the hair loss is often related to conditions in the scalp, such as irritation, scale and scarring.

Aging and hair loss

When alopecia happens gradually, it may just be due to aging. Hereditary hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss, affecting about 80 million individuals in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Specifically, it is known as female or male-pattern baldness. Age and family history are often factors. However, in some cases, a biopsy of the skin is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

More than 50 percent of men over the age of 50 will be affected by male-pattern baldness, which is often characterized by a receding hairline or thinning of the hair on the back or vertex of the scalp. Women tend to keep their hairline, but experience thinning hair, with the first sign of hair loss being a widening part.

“Both men and women experience hair loss as a result of the aging process. The extent, distribution, rate of development and age of onset are all individually determined,” Dr. Zelac says

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.

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.

Available Treatments Without a Prescription

Minoxidil: This medicine is applied to the scalp. It can stop hairs from getting thinner and stimulate hair growth on the top of the scalp. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved minoxidil to treat hair loss. It is the only hair re-growth product approved for men and women. A dermatologist may combine minoxidil with another treatment.

Laser devices: Brushes, combs, and other hand-held devices that emit laser light might stimulate hair growth. These devices might make hair look more youthful in some people. Because the FDA classifies these products as medical devices, the products do not undergo the rigorous testing that medicines undergo. The long-term effectiveness and safety for these devices are not known.

PRP for Hair Loss: Injecting the patient’s own blood platelets can potentially stimulate hair restoration as growth factors and stem cells work together to reverse the miniaturization of the hair follicle. It’s like jump-starting dormant hair back into the growth stage. Learn more about PRP for Hair Loss.

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