Tag Archive for: Protein Rich Plasma

Do You Need a Hair Loss Doctor? – How to Know When It’s Time for a Professional Opinion.

 

Did you know that many types of hair loss can be reversed?  If you didn’t, you’re not alone.  According to a 2018 study that evaluated why people don’t seek treatment for their hair loss, a significant number of people with androgenetic alopecia aren’t aware that treatments are available to help them regrow their hair.  (01)  This is one reason why people don’t seek medical attention when their hair is thinning or balding.  However, if you are experiencing male or female pattern baldness, not only can treatment help you regrow your hair, but the earlier you begin treatment, the better your results.  

Nobody wants to leave work early or spend money on doctor’s appointments that aren’t necessary.  Life is way too busy for that.  So, how do you know whether your hair loss warrants a visit?  Here’s a guide to help you with everything you need to know, from when it’s time to get a professional opinion to what type of doctor you’ll need.  

How Much Hair Loss is Too Much?

Everyone sees a few strands of hair in the sink or on the shower floor from time to time.  That’s a normal part of the hair growth cycle and is expected.  Losing 50 to 100 hairs during the shedding phase is normal.  How do you know if you’re losing more than that, though?  Here are a few signs:

Gradual Hair Loss

  • Thinning on top of your head
  • Growing bald spot
  • Receding hairline
  • Widening center or side part
  • Thinning ponytail

Sudden Hair Loss

  • Seeing a bald spot or area appear within 1 or 2 days
  • Losing clumps of hair 
  • Watching all or most of your hair fall out all at once

Both Gradual and Sudden Hair Loss Requires Medical Attention

Whether you notice gradual or sudden hair loss, we recommend you seek medical attention.  In addition to losing hair on their heads, some people lose hair on their face and their bodies.  If you notice bald spots or missing hair in areas such as your eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, mustache, or other areas, that also warrants a doctor’s visit.  

Male and female pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss, and usually does not have any accompanying symptoms besides hair loss.  However, people with other types of alopecia such as alopecia areata and lichen planopilaris may experience burning, stinging, itching, or tenderness resulting from inflammation.  If this is the case for you, treatment is needed as quickly as possible to limit the amount of hair lost and have the best possible chance of regrowth.

What Type of Doctor Treats Hair Loss?

Finding the right person to help diagnose and treat your hair loss can be tricky.  There are a lot of different types of practitioners who claim to help people with their thinning hair and bald spots.  Here’s a rundown of who’s who:

Trichologist

A trichologist is a specialist who focuses on treating hair and scalp diseases.  Although trichologists have specialized training, they are not medical doctors.  They can’t write prescriptions or perform medical or surgical procedures.  

Holistic Medicine Doctors (Naturopaths)

A holistic medicine doctor focuses on a whole-body approach to improving health and wellness.  Rather than just looking at symptoms, naturopaths evaluate a patient’s mind, body, and spirit.  Prevention comes first, and treatment comes second.  Although holistic medicine doctors can order lab tests and use botanical therapies, they cannot write prescriptions unless they also hold medical degrees.  

Dermatologist

A dermatologist is a medical doctor trained to treat skin, hair, and nails.  Dermatologists have the training and expertise necessary to conduct a full evaluation, run any necessary tests, and prescribe medications if needed.  Some dermatologists have more specialized training and experience working with hair loss than others.  When selecting a dermatologist, ask questions such as what hair loss conditions he or she typically treats and what treatments are most often used.  

Why Self Diagnosis is a Bad Idea

There are many good reasons why you should get a professional diagnosis.  Access to the wealth of online information may make you feel like an expert, but you’re not.  You may come to the wrong conclusion about why you’re losing your hair.  Another reason why is that using ineffective medication is expensive.  There is an abundance of nonmedical treatments on the market, such as vitamins, supplements, shampoos, and topical solutions, but research indicates that they have temporary or little effect on hair growth.  The cost of over-the-counter treatments is actually higher than the cost would be for proven, supervised medical treatments.  (02)

How a Hair Loss Doctor Makes a Diagnosis

Dermatologists use a staged approach to evaluating hair loss conditions.  Typically, he or she will review your medical history to determine if there’s a pre-existing or new condition that is causing your hair loss.  Whether your hair loss is gradual or sudden, your hair loss pattern will point your doctor in the right direction during your evaluation.  For example, androgenetic alopecia usually presents with thinning on top, a receding hairline in men, and a widening part in women.  Bald spots about the size of a quarter are often seen in patients with alopecia areata.  A microscope can see if there is any redness caused by inflammation from scarring alopecia or a possible fungal infection.

Other tests sometimes used include a pull test to see how much and easily hair falls out. Usually, just a visual exam is all that is needed to diagnose androgenetic alopecia.  However, if your doctor needs more information, biopsies are the gold standard for a diagnosis.  

Treatment Options Available Through Hair Loss Doctors

Hair loss treatment depends upon the condition that is diagnosed.  The most proven, commonly prescribed medications include:

Minoxidil 

Topical Minoxidil, a vasodilator that increases the amount of oxygen to the scalp, is often prescribed to treat male and female pattern baldness and various other types of alopecia.  Minoxidil is available over-the-counter in two and five-percent liquid and foam topical formulas.  Higher topical doses and oral pills are only available by prescription.  It’s best to use Minoxidil under a doctor’s supervision.  Once you start using the medication, any hair that has grown can be lost if you stop taking it.   

Finasteride

Finasteride is a topical and oral medication only available by prescription.  The medication is typically prescribed to treat androgenetic alopecia; however, it has been proven effective for generating hair growth among patients with lichen planopilaris and other types of alopecia.  (03)   Finasteride works by blocking the production of DHT, which causes hair loss.  Finasteride has a reputation for causing sexual side effects among men.  If this concerns you, talk to your doctor about using topical formulas instead.  Topicals work equally as effectively without side effects. (04)

Dutasteride

Finasteride is effective for most patients and is usually used as a first-line medication to treat hair loss.  If you do not respond to Finasteride, your doctor may recommend trying Dutasteride, which works similarly to Finasteride.  The difference between the two medications is that Finasteride inhibits one type of isoenzyme, while dutasteride inhibits two types.  

Spironolactone

If you are a woman, your doctor may recommend Spironolactone, which blocks aldotestosterone, a hormone produced in the adrenal glands.  Spironolactone is not usually prescribed to men since it can cause feminizing side effects.  

Combination Treatments

Some types of alopecia require a combination of medications.  For example, doctors often prescribe Minoxidil and Finasteride simultaneously.  Minoxidil enlarges the hair follicles, while Finasteride prevents testosterone from converting to DHT.  Retinol helps the absorption of other topical hair treatments, and cortisone can be added to prevent irritation.  

Protein Rich Plasma (PRP)

Protein Rich Plasma treatments are a three-step process that involves drawing and separating your blood and injecting the separated platelets.  Protein derived from the PRP process is believed to help your hair grow by encouraging cell growth.  Only licensed practitioners can perform this medical procedure.

Hair Transplant Surgery

Hair transplants are becoming more common thanks to improved techniques that have been developed throughout the years.  Because hair transplants are a type of surgery, doctors performing hair transplants must be licensed.  

Why Prescription Hair Loss Medications are Superior to Over-the-Counter Treatments

As you’re probably already aware, the number of products on the market to treat hair loss is pretty overwhelming.  Trying out a new shampoo that you find on Amazon may be harmless but could cost a lot of money without much hair gain.  The window to regrow your hair could also close while you’re experimenting.  The difference between the OTC products and what your dermatologist prescribes is research.  It may not sound like much, but it’s a big deal.  Clinical studies provide dermatologists with a scientific basis for providing advice and treatment.  Clinical studies are also FDA-regulated, ensuring safety and properly reported results.  

Need a Hair Loss Doctor?  We Can Help.

Finding a dermatologist who is also a hair specialist can be difficult.  If you have questions or are interested in treatment for your alopecia, contact us.  Our licensed dermatologists will consult with you to determine whether you would benefit from using Happy Head or any other type of medication that treats hair loss.  

Resources:

(01) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6029958/

(02) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6029958/

(03) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4809380/

(04) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4314881/#:~:text=Studies%20show%20that%20topical%20finasteride,post%2D%20treatment%20with%20oral%20finasteride.

 

5 Facts All Men Should Know About Hair Loss

Man looking at his hairline in the mirror, wondering what to do. Happy Head can help you stop hair thinning and loss in its tracks with custom topical solutions made with fda approved ingredients that are just for you.

A few weeks ago, my husband pointed out a Facebook meme that made us laugh. It showed two photos of hair and body care products. One photo included products that women use in the shower, and another photo showed the products that men use.  The women’s photo was loaded with products, including body wash, face wash, two different types of shampoos, and a couple of different types of conditioner. The men’s photo only had one product, a lone all-in-one bottle of body wash, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, and toothpaste. Not only was it funny, but it also depicted the scene in our shower pretty accurately. The truth is, though, although some men don’t give their hair a lot of thought, I don’t know of any who are thrilled about the idea of going bald. It’s a super sensitive topic. As nonchalant as my husband is about his hair, even a hint that his hairline is receding results in a very alarmed “What?” and a close scalp examination in the mirror that night.  Hair loss in men is common, but that doesn’t mean you’re okay with it. Nor does that mean that you have to accept your fate. So, if you’re a guy with some recession, thinning, or balding, this one’s for you. We’re here to fill you in on what you need to know about male pattern hair loss and what you can do about it.  

1. Hair Loss in Men is More Common Than You Realize

According to the American Hair Loss Association, by age 50, 85 percent of all men will have significantly thinning hair. (01)  Yes, you read that correctly. The majority of men will deal with some type of hair loss in their lifetime.  Men lose their hair for a lot of different reasons.  Balding or thinning hair can be due to autoimmune conditions, Covid, or even stress. The most common reason, though, is genetics. The vast majority of men with thinning or balding hair have androgenetic alopecia, male pattern baldness. Yup, that’s right. Your parents or grandparents may have passed along a baldness gene.  

Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, occurs when your testosterone is converted to an androgen (a sex hormone) known as Dihydrotestoterone (DHT). The DHT attacks your hair follicles and causes a reaction called miniaturization which shrinks the follicles. When that happens, the hair that is already there falls out. New hair has trouble emerging through the shrunken follicles, and eventually, the hair stops growing.  

Although Male pattern baldness is the leading cause of hair loss among men; it’s not the only reason men lose their hair. Other forms of alopecia can cause hair loss among men as well. For example, Covid or other illnesses can cause a temporary hair loss called telogen effluvium. In this case, your hair will grow back within six to twelve months. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes sporadic bald patches. Some men’s hair spontaneously regrows, but flares can occur at any time without notice.  Lichen planopilaris is another type of alopecia that causes inflammation, leading to scars over the hair follicles that prevent new hair growth.         

2. Timing is Everything When It Comes to Hair Loss Treatments

Many men avoid doctors like the plague. (02)  However taking a “let’s wait and see what happens” attitude isn’t recommended when it comes to hair loss. If you don’t get treatment when you first notice that your hair is thinning, then your hair loss will most likely progress, leaving you with a higher number on the Hamilton-Norwood Scale. In case you don’t know what that is, the Hamilton-Norwood Scale is a classification system developed to measure the extent of baldness. You don’t want to get high scores on that test.  

If you visit a board-certified dermatologist as soon as you see signs of thinning or balding, your doctor will identify the cause of your hair loss. Once you are diagnosed, your dermatologist can recommend treatments to stop your male pattern hair loss and to promote new growth.  

3. Hair Loss Consultations Are Not a Big Deal (Really!)

If the idea of any medical procedure secretly has you a bit nervous, don’t let that prevent you from seeing a dermatologist.  The exam is much easier than you would expect, and trust me, your dermatologist will not think you are vain for seeking treatment.  Dermatologists evaluate men for hair loss conditions all the time.  So, while you may be out of your comfort zone, your dermatologist certainly isn’t.   

Your dermatologist will ask questions about your health, medications, family history, and lifestyle during your exam. The more detailed information you provide, the better. Your dermatologist will examine your scalp to evaluate your hair loss pattern and possibly do a pull test. A pull test measures the severity of your hair loss. During the test, your dermatologist will gently tug on small sections of your hair to see if any strands fall out.  If six or more do, you have active hair loss. Dermatologists usually diagnose androgenetic alopecia based on visual exam. A blood test or a small biopsy may be ordered if he or she suspects another type of alopecia. Don’t stress if you need a biopsy. You’ll be numb, the biopsy area is small, and it heals within a week.

4. Today’s Hair Loss Treatments are Effective and Natural Looking 

After you get a diagnosis, you’ll have many treatment options. The good news is more data than ever is available on hair loss treatments. Research indicates that many are not only safe, they’re highly effective. Here are some examples of the most popular prescription hair loss treatments used:

Minoxidil 

  • FDA approved to treat hair loss
  • Available in oral or topical formulas
  • Brings oxygen to the hair follicles, enlarging them so existing hair does not fall out and new hair can emerge

Finasteride

  • FDA approved to treat hair loss
  • Available in oral and topical formulas
  • Prevents testosterone from converting to DHT and attacking your hair follicles
  • First-line treatment for androgenetic alopecia

Dutasteride

  • Used off label to treat hair loss
  • Only available as a pill like our SuperCapsule
  • Prevents testosterone from converting to DHT and attacking your hair follicles
  • Prescribed if patient does not respond to Finasteride
  • Lower dosage prescribed for Dutasteride than Finasteride

Cortisone

  • Available in pill and topical formulas
  • Reduces irritation and inflammation

Retinoic Acid

  • Available in topical formula
  • Proven to improve absorption of topical Minoxidil and Finasteride

Compounded Topical Formulas

Research has shown that combinations of topical formulas are more effective than monotherapy.  For example, topical Finasteride combined with topical Minoxidil works better than one of the medications alone. (03)  Finasteride and Minodixil combined with Retinoic Acid is more effective because the retinol helps the scalp better absorb the other two medications. (04)

Alternative Hair Loss Treatments for Men

You may also be a candidate for treatments such as Protein Rich Plasma (PRP), laser light treatments, and hair transplant surgery. Let’s talk about what these are and how they work.

Protein Rich Plasma

PRP acts similarly to Minoxidil by bringing oxygen to the hair follicles to enlarge them. During a PRP procedure, your dermatologist draws your blood. The blood is then separated. The plasma is then injected into sites where your hair is thinning or balding. 

Laser Light Treatment

You may have seen ads for laser light caps. Do they work? Well, the jury is out. The philosophy behind them is that the light increases blood flow to the areas on your scalp that are thinning. More oxygen and nutrients are able to reach the hair follicles, allowing the hair to grow thicker and longer. Although research indicates that laser lights show promise for treating hair loss, the most effective intensity and frequency is still to be determined. (05, 06)  

Hair Transplant Surgery

In the 70s and 80s, you could always tell when a man had hair restoration surgery. You could actually see little circular holes where the plugs were implanted. It looked like a doll’s head. Over time, dermatologists have been perfecting the surgery and today’s techniques give a natural appearance. Dermatologists now move individual hairs from a place where the hair is dense to an area where the hair is thinning. (07) You can’t even tell that the hair has been transplanted.  

5. Perceptions of Bald or Balding Men Have Changed for the Better

Men with thin or thinning hair tend to have lower self-esteem and lack confidence, which could explain negative perceptions of their appearance. (08)  The key is to work with what you do have so you feel as confident as possible.  

Yes, there was a time when bald or balding men were deemed less attractive. That’s no longer the case, though. Today, men who embrace their look are seen as intelligent, successful, and confident. (09) Jeff Bezos, Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris, and The Rock are prime examples. So if your hair is thinning or balding, work with your barber or hair stylist to find and own a fresh new look. That look can evolve as you undergo hair loss treatment.  

If you notice some recession, thinning, or balding, and are concerned, contact us for a discrete consultation from the comfort of your home, on your schedule. Our board-certified dermatologists and hair specialists are available to evaluate how much hair you’ve lost and your scalp’s condition. Most importantly, they can offer a customized prescription solution to give you the desired results.  

 

Resources:

(01) https://www.americanhairloss.org/men_hair_loss/introduction.html

(02) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6560804/#:~:text=At%20the%20societal%20level%20masculine,not%20go%20see%20the%20doctor.

(03) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32166351/

(04) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2693596/

(05) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8906269/

(06) https://www.karger.com/article/fulltext/509001

(07) https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/transplant

(08) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16307704/

(09) https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1948550612449490