Hair Loss
Hair loss is very common and is classified based on the presence of scarring or non-scarring hair loss.
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Non-scarring hair loss is more common and responds better to consistent treatment. Non-scarring alopecia mainly consists of androgenic alopecia, alopecia aerata, and telogen effluvium.
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Scarring hair loss is less common and much harder to treat
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What is male or female pattern baldness?
Male/female-pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, occurs due to the combined effect of genetic predisposition and male hormones. In men, the pattern of hair loss usually occurs from front to back and can begin any time after puberty! In women, hair loss usually starts from the midline and extends outwards. You will notice the hair thinning until the eventual loss of hair completely.
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How do you treat male pattern baldness?
Based on your gender, clinical presentation, and needs, we can treat these forms of hair loss with oral finasteride, topical minoxidil, anti-androgen medications like spironolactone, and light lasers. Ask us about PRP injections which are a very popular way to treat baldness in both men and women.
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How are PRP injections performed?
The "platelet rich plasma" is extracted from your blood like any other blood draw. Then, the blood is spun in a centrifuge and the different cells in the blood separate into different layers based on their density. Only the platelets are extracted, which are rich in growth factors and elastin, and they stimulate stem cell production. The platelets are then injected into the scalp. The entire procedure takes about 60 minutes and we recommend at least 3 sessions separated by 4-6 weeks.
What is alopecia areata?
Alopecia Areata is a localized loss of hair in oval patches with no apparent inflammation or scarring. It is associated with autoimmune disease and stress. The hair can sometimes grow back spontaneously.
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How do you treat alopecia areata?
If you want to maximize results, we can treat this with local steroid injections and focus on reducing stress or controlling any other underlying disorder. We can also utilize multiple sessions of light therapy.
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What is telogen effluvium?
Telogen effluvium is the diffuse shedding of hair due to the accelerated growth phase to the resting phase of the hair cycle. It is due to high levels of stress or another underlying disorder such as a nutritional deficiency. The good news is that it is not permanent and will stop once the underlying trigger is addressed. Treatment for this depends on the trigger and you should seek medical attention in order to prevent further hair loss.
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What is scarring hair loss?
Scarring hair loss results from the complete destruction of the hair follicle cells. Once the scarring occurs, it is usually irreversible. However, you should see our office immediately in order to prevent the expansion of the scarring. We must treat scarring hair loss aggressively, requiring several sessions of local steroid injections.