Are you experiencing hair loss or thinning? Finding the proper hair care solution can be challenging regardless of the situation. At the Dermatology Center for Skin Health, PLLC, our goal is to sit down with you to discuss your problem so that we can find a solution. Continue reading to learn more about alopecia and if there are solutions for hair loss.
WHAT IS ALOPECIA?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body attacks its hair follicles. Hair follicles are where our hair grows from. The more hair follicles your immune system attacks, the more hair loss will occur. Alopecia can cause hair loss anywhere on the body; however, many people who develop alopecia tend to find balding spots on their scalps. Alopecia may also affect the eyelashes, eyebrows and nails.
Alopecia can occur at any age, but most people develop it during childhood or teenage years. Of this age group that develops it, about half will see hair regrowth without treatment. In addition, close to 10-20 percent of people who develop alopecia have a close relative with the disease.
The two most common causes of hair loss are:
- Androgenetic alopecia is often referred to as male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness. In men, bald areas develop in the front and top of the scalp. Women usually experience thinning hair along the top of the scalp.
- Alopecia areata is caused by the body’s infection-fighting system changes and presents as large and typically round spots of missing hair.
The rarest form of alopecia is Alopecia Universalis, which is where the person loses all hair, including all hair on the scalp and body, leaving the entire body bald.
WHAT CAUSES HAIR LOSS?
Although alopecia is the leading cause for hair loss, there are many other factors for hair loss, including:
- Medical conditions
- Medications
- Hormonal imbalances
- Stress
- Inflammation
- Aging
- Allergies
- Irritants
- Toxins
- Burns
- Injuries
- Infections
- Chronic kidney failure
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Vitamin A overdose
- Iron deficiency
- Thyroid malfunction
- Pregnancy
It has also been found that the cold may trigger alopecia. Researchers noticed that the most common time that alopecia occurred was November and January, two of the coldest months. In contrast, the least amount of flare-ups occurred in May and August.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HAIR LOSS?
When alopecia occurs, it does so without any rash, redness, or swelling signs. The most common symptom of alopecia is a round or oval-shaped bald patch on the crown of the scalp. Other signs include:
- Beard not growing in or growing in with patches (men only)
- Large patches of baldness in any shape on the scalp
- A band or strip of hair loss on the scalp called ophiasis
- Widespread hair loss, leaving thinning and little hair on the head
- Loss of eyelashes
- Reddish or brittle fingernails
If you notice you are showing signs of hair loss, it’s essential to be evaluated by a medical professional to determine the cause of your hair loss before receiving treatment.
WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS TO HAIR LOSS?
The good news is that alopecia typically does not cause any pain to the body. However, a tingling sensation may be felt right before the hair falls out. Unfortunately, there is no cure for alopecia. However, it is possible to regrow new hair.
Hair loss can be unpredictable and can sometimes regrow without treatment. The hair that grows back may or may not fall out again. It’s also common to have hair loss and growth cycles for years.
First, the determination of what’s causing the hair loss may be conducted by your dermatologist using a tool called a dermascope to reveal a closer look at the scalp. Dermatologists have expertise in diagnosing hair loss which is the first step in finding the right solution. A blood test and others may sometimes be necessary to help diagnose.
At the Dermatology Center for Skin Health, PLLC, we offer many different treatments, including:
- Hair Regrowth System
- Nutrafol
- Viviscal Pro
Nutrafol
Nutrafol products are physician-formulated hair thinning treatments for men and women. There are three formulas with ingredients clinically proven to improve your hair growth. Created with botanical ingredients from the latest research findings, Nutrafol is one of the first 100 percent drug-free nutraceuticals for hair.
A nutraceutical contains standardized, medical-grade and bio-optimized ingredients. Nutraceuticals are nourishing and have bioactive properties working in tandem.
Nutrafol’s nutraceuticals are held to exacting pharmaceutical-grade standards during the extraction and purification process.
The product is proven to perform the following:
- Rebalance: Stabilize harmful levels of dihydrotestosterone and stress-damaging hormones
- Repair: Fight free radicals and inflammation at the root
- Revitalize: Improve scalp circulation to help revive dormant hair follicles
- Regrow: Deliver nutrients critical to the follicle rebuilding process, necessary for improving the hair growth cycle
Viviscal Pro
Viviscal Pro is scientifically formulated with the marine complex, AminoMar, which helps to promote existing healthy hair growth by nourishing thinning hair and promoting existing hair growth from within.
Hair Regrowth System
Our hair regrowth system includes a replenish shampoo, restore conditioner and a hair growth serum to promote healthy hair regrowth.
HAIR LOSS AND ALOPECIA TREATMENT | DERMATOLOGY FOR SKIN HEALTH, PLLC
At the Dermatology Center for Skin Health, PLLC, we understand the embarrassment and insecurity that comes along with hair loss. With over 20 years of medical experience, our dermatologists can provide you with the services to care for your skin and hair and help get you back to feeling like yourself again. For questions about hair loss or setting up an appointment diagnosis, call us at (304) 598-3888.
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