Hair Loss

Healthy hair is an important part of our identity. Hair loss can result in significant distress impacting one's self esteem. With early intervention, it is possible to control hair loss, reverse the process, and to stimulate new growth. We take a detailed history to determine the cause of your hair loss and then develop an individualized treatment regimen. We provide education on proper hair maintenance.

Hair loss can come in multiple forms. Scarring forms of alopecia can be caused by styling practices and other unknown factors. Traction alopecia results from tight and/or heavy hairstyles such as weaves, corn rolls, ponytails, dreads, and braids. Central centrifugal scarring alopecia is characterized by hair loss on the crown of the scalp. This condition can be associated with scalp itching, pain, and tenderness. When treated in the early stages, the progression can be controlled. Without treatment, scar tissue can become more extensive resulting in complete loss of hair follicles. The cause is unknown, but has been associated with tight styling practices. Those with high blood glucose, as seen in diabetes, may be more susceptible to developing this condition. Other less common forms of scarring hair loss include discoid lupus, lichen planopilaris, and frontal fibrosing alopecia.

Nonscarring forms of alopecia include androgenetic alopecia which is better known as female and male pattern hair loss and is hormonal in nature. Telogen effluvium is shedding of the hair due to a severe acute or chronic stress, thyroid disorder, anemia, medication, hormonal changes such as seen with childbirth, crash diet or poor nutrition, and major surgery. Alopecia areata is due to the immune system attacking the hair follicle. This condition can be localized or more extensive as seen in alopecia universalis.

Treatment for hair loss is multifaceted. It includes finding the underlying cause. Blood work may be needed to determine if the loss is metabolic in origin. A hair culture may be performed to rule out a fungal infection. Medical treatment includes a combination of corticosteroid creams, minoxidil preparations, Kenalog injections to the affected area, and the possible use of oral antibiotics used to help reduce scalp inflammation. Cosmetic treatment options include low-level laser therapy, platelet-rich plasma injections, and hair transplantation. In addition to medical and cosmetic treatments, the whole person must be addressed. Healthy responses to stress must become a way of life. The body must be given adequate rest and proper nutrition. Hair restoration is a slow process. It takes 6 months to 1 year for hair loss to begin to reverse itself. Unfortunately, no treatment option is a guarantee. In advanced forms of hair loss, there may not be any viable treatment options. Early treatment is key.