More reasons to run her hands through your hair.
Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery’s Medical Director, Dr. Matt Leavitt, is regarded as one of the world’s leaders in hair loss diagnosis and treatment, including hair transplantation.
Hair protects the scalp and helps regulate body temperature. It is It is a visual statement to the world about our individuality, social status, health and viability, and an integral part of our psyche.
While most people lose hair at an average rate of 50-100 hairs a day, if you see bald patches or lots of thinning, you may be experiencing hair loss.
Nearly one-third of the US population has some hair loss: by age 50, approximately 50% of the male population have significant hair loss and by age 40 an estimate 40% of all women have visible hair loss.
Interestingly, hair loss "remedies" have been documented back to 4000 BC in Egypt and have continued to the present. In today’s society this translates to an astonishing $7 billion per year spent on hair loss remedies in North America alone.
Causes
There are many causes of hair loss. Women may lose more hair after giving birth or after menopause. People under a lot of stress, those with a variety of diseases and those undergoing certain medical treatments, may see noticeable hair loss.
However, the most common cause of hair loss is a medical condition called hereditary hair loss. About 80 million men and women in the U.S. have this type (also known as male or female-pattern hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia).
Types
In addition to androgenetic alopecia, other types are called telogen effluvium, alopecia areata and chemical/traction alopecia.
Androgenetic alopecia is a genetic condition activated by the hormone dihydrotesterone (DHT). It is readily identifiable in men by receding hairlines or temple areas, or the thinning area in the crown. In women, it can be seen by the widening of the parts or a diffuse loss over much of the scalp.
Telogen effluvium is characterized by a rapid onset of diffuse shedding of hair. This is often triggered by stressful events and/or systemic changes, such as illness, dieting, medications or psychological stress, etc. The word telogen refers to a stage in the cycle of hair growth where more hairs than usual are in a resting stage instead of a growing phase.
Alopecia areata often has a sudden onset. It is typified by spotty, patchy or circular areas of hair loss. It also presents as breakage or clumps of lost hair. The hairs in the affected spot(s) can easily be removed or pulled with the fingers. In severe forms, all the hair on the scalp may be lost (alopecia totalis) or all hair on the scalp and body may be lost, including eyebrows and lashes (alopecia universalis). This type of hair loss may be associated with immunological disorders or deficiencies and may be caused by a stress or disease. However, most people who suffer from this condition are healthy.
Chemical/traction alopecia usually involves hairstyles and hair care practices that put excess tension on the hair in some way. It frequently presents in localized or specific areas or in patterns based upon the method in which the hair is traumatized.
Diagnosis
A physical exam and different tests can be performed to distinguish the different forms of hair loss and develop the correct treatment plan for you. Our dermatologists are experts in the evaluation and treatment of all forms of hair loss.
Treatment
To date, there are medically proven treatments for androgenetic hair loss: finasteride (systemic medication for men), minoxidil (topical treatment for men and women), lasercomb (approved for men and women), and hair transplantation (surgical option). Of these treatments, only hair transplantation offers a permanent solution. Although the medical treatments may, in some cases, produce some hair growth they are most helpful in slowing down hair loss.