If you are experiencing hair loss, find a dermatologist who will help you address the various aspects of hair thinning through products and approaches.
By Susan Hammerling-Hodgers| For FLORIDA TODAY
Judy, a 54 year old women hates to style her hair because she feels like it is getting thinner each day.She has a family history of her mother and aunts having thinning hair on the top of their heads.
At 39 years old, Ed started noticing significant thinning of hair on his scalp.
Every day, men and women of all ages seek to find the best treatments to help grow hair or prevent further hair loss. Hair loss or thinning can be an emotionally challenging experience for anyone.
The American Hair Loss Association, 2017 says that more than 30% of the population deals with thinning hair which affects over 60 million men and 40 million women.
According to Industry Market Research in IBIS World, the hair loss industry has grown to over $3.9 billion. Both men and women regularly seek treatments at their dermatologists or hair salons.
Will hair loss treatments work?
Depending on the cause of hair loss is how well the treatment will work.
Unfortunately, many patients are told the cause of their hair loss or thinning is from genetics. However, there are multiple causes of hair loss and can affect everyone depending on their stage of life.
Some factors that can influence the loss of hair are aging, stress, hormones, nutrition, metabolism, and lifestyle choices. In addition, a major contributor to damaged or thinning hair is having poor scalp health. Scalp health can be determined by evaluating the texture of the hair, thickness, and color.
Dr. Yael Halaas, MD, FACS states, “The benefits of a healthy scalp are critically important, yet not widely understood. A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthier and fuller looking hair.”
How hair loss affects men
Over 95% of hair loss seen in men is androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). Between the ages of 35 years old and 50 years old, men will experience some type of hair loss.
Common treatments that men seek for hair loss are over the counter Rogaine or prescription Propecia. Sometimes labs are ordered before starting a patient on a oral prescription. A popular option that can be seen dispensed at dermatologist offices is Nutrafol for Men. After using Nutrafol for 3- 6 months, thicker and fuller hair growth can be seen in some patients. This is a popular option due to a blend of natural ingredients.
How hair loss affects women
Women can experience different hormonal changes throughout life and experience thinning or hair loss. If lab work is ordered and the thyroid is normal, no anemia is present or no abnormal testosterone levels, then a few options may help to stimulate hair growth or reduce the amount of hair being lost on a daily basis.
Some women try over the counter Rogaine or try biotin supplements. Other women may try topical steroids which can calm down inflammation or Platelet rich plasma therapy. In younger women who are on hormonal contraception, it may cause early onset of hair loss/thinning.
Nutrafol Women’s balance is a popular healthy natural option for women with different types of hair loss.
Whether or not prescriptions can be prescribed for women's hair loss depends upon the severity of hair loss. Different compounds can be formulated such as spironolactone, Finasteride and Minoxidil serums or pills, or topical metformin.
Some women prefer to try shampoos such as Brigeo Destined for Density Caffeine and Biotin or Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Shampoo.
Are there treatments at the salon?
Grace Ruano, owner of Sorrelli Hair Studio in Suntree says she gets a lot of clients that sit in her chair, male and female, that struggle with hair loss. She recommends healing the hair from within to promote new growth, and heal the hair on the outside to protect what her clients already have.
For her clients, she jump starts the hair growth with the HydraFacial Keravive treatment, which is basically a facial for your scalp and comes with a take home treatment. Along with this treatment, she found that Phyto Haircare does the best job at helping with hair growth. Their systems are separated into a male line and a female line, really taking into account the genetic difference between the two. An added bonus is most of their ingredients are found made with little to no chemicals.
If you are experiencing hair loss and it is affecting your self esteem or daily life, find a dermatologist who will listen to you and address the physical and emotional aspects of hair thinningthrough various products and approaches.
Most of the time the discussion of hair loss isn’t a simple one. It can involve a complex discussion and understanding of the possible causes of hair loss. Fortunately, in recent years there has been a growing interest to learn about hair loss and develop effective treatments.
Susan Hammerling-Hodgers, a Member of the National Psoriasis Foundation, is aPA-C (Certified PhysicianAssistant) andMPAS (Master of Physician Assistant Studies) and a Diplomate of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (DSDPA). She works atWater's Edge Dermatology's Viera and Merritt Island and Palm Bay locations.
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