Who treats hair loss?
Dermatologists and other specialists, such as trichologists, can treat hair loss. Dermatologists are doctors of medicine specializing in skin, hair, and nail conditions. They complete over ten years of education, which includes studying the skin and hair at a biological level.
Dermatologists work alongside experienced doctors during their residency and complete approximately 12,000 to 16,000 hours of clinical training. On the other hand, trichologists are not doctors but focus on specifically treating scalp and hair conditions. Like dermatologists, they can also help with problems like hair breakage, various types of hair loss, oily scalp, and scalp psoriasis.
Dermatologists can prescribe medication and perform surgeries, whereas trichologists cannot. They are also highly experienced in recognizing the signs of hair loss, whether the cause is genetic, medical, or environmental. To detect hair loss, dermatologists visually assess the pattern of hair loss and use various techniques such as blood tests, punch biopsy, fungal cultures, pull and tug tests, and card tests to reach an accurate diagnosis. They may also use advanced techniques such as a trigonometric analysis and a computerized measurement tool to magnify the scalp's appearance by up to 100 times. Similarly, trichologists sometimes conduct a hair analysis to check the scalp for structural damage or the presence of lice or fungal infection.
What are the types of hair loss?
Hair loss may occur not only on the scalp but also on the rest of the body. Some common types of hair loss include:
- Male pattern baldness: Hair loss in men starts in a well-defined pattern. It can begin to rise above both temples and eventually recede to form an "M" shape. Women are more likely to have overall hair thinning without a receding hairline. Male pattern baldness in men can occur due to several severe medical conditions, including coronary heart disease, prostate enlargement, and diabetes. Hair loss is also a common symptom in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- Alopecia areata (AA): It is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the hair follicles that hold the hair in place by mistake. This condition can lead to hair loss anywhere on the body, including inside the nose, scalp, armpits, and ears. In some cases, people even lose their eyelashes or eyebrows.
- Traction alopecia: Hairstyles that hold the hair tightly in place, such as pigtails, cornrows, or high ponytails, may lead to hair loss called traction alopecia.
What are the possible causes of hair loss?
The best way to understand the cause of your hair loss is to visit a hair loss specialist near you. A few common reasons that contribute to hair loss include:
- Hereditary hair loss
- Certain medications and supplements for arthritis, heart problems, and high blood pressure
- Hormonal changes and medical conditions
- Cancer treatment, such as radiation therapy
- Stressful events such as a physical or emotional shock can also cause hair thinning.
- Aging
- Childbirth
- Scalp infections
- Sexually transmitted infections like syphilis
- Lack of nutrients, including biotin, iron, protein, or zinc
- Thyroid conditions
- Excessive hairstyling and hair treatments that include various chemical products can cause hair loss. Additionally, hot oil treatments and permanent hair dye can cause hair to fall out. In the case of scalp scarring, hair loss could also be permanent.
How is hair loss diagnosed?
Sometimes, the reason for hair loss is apparent. For instance, if you are losing hair during chemotherapy. In other cases, your healthcare provider will need to investigate to find the cause.
To make an accurate diagnosis, your provider may:
- Ask about your family history, including whether any relatives had hair loss and when it started.
- Review your medical history.
- Order blood exams to detect thyroid function and iron levels.
- Examine your scalp for signs of infection.
- Take a scalp biopsy to look for skin disease.
How do hair loss specialists treat hair loss?
How a hair loss specialist treats your problem depends on the type of hair loss, its underlying cause, and how severe your condition is. Dermatologists may prescribe one or a combination of the following hair loss treatments:
- FDA-approved medications such as minoxidil (rogaine) or finasteride (Propecia®)
- Microneedling
- Injections of corticosteroids
- Hair transplant
- Laser therapy
- Vitamins, minerals, or other supplements
How do you prepare for an appointment with a hair loss specialist?
If you are going to visit a hair loss specialist near you for the first time, many doubts and queries may be running through your mind. What will the provider ask me? What should I carry to the appointment? Are there any do's and don'ts to follow? Find answers to these and other related questions in the preparation guide below:
- Document symptoms: Maintain a symptoms journal and write down every detail possible. Expect questions like: When did you first notice hair loss? Is your hair loss gradual or sudden? Which areas of the scalp do you have hair loss? Do you have hair loss in any other parts of the body? Do you feel anything makes your hair loss better or worse? Do any of your immediate family members have hair loss? In addition to this, you can also collect before and after photos for your provider's reference.
- Gather medical records: The provider will most likely ask about your general health and well-being to understand possible causes of hair loss. So, you must have information on your past and current medical conditions, mental illnesses, allergies, injuries, and surgeries. Moreover, remember to carry a list of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and herbal remedies.
- Make notes on personal information: The hair loss specialist will discuss your personal life, lifestyle, diet, and hair care routine as well. So, note whether you have had any recent life changes or stressors. Also, document your exercise level, sleep, diet, hair care routine, tobacco use, and alcohol intake.
- Record your questions: If you have any specific queries regarding diagnosing and treating your hair loss, please bring them up during the appointment. Here are some ideas for you: Is my hair loss reversible or irreversible? Can I try any home remedies while the treatment is ongoing? What is the best hair care routine? Will any lifestyle and diet changes help?
Can hair loss be reversed?
Whether hair grows back depends on what is causing the hair loss. A dermatologist can assess if your hair might regrow on its own.
Hair loss can be temporary and reversible in the following situations:
- If a medication causes hair loss, regrowth may begin after stopping the medication. Full regrowth can take up to 18 months.
- Decreased estrogen levels during pregnancy may lead to hair loss. Many people also notice temporary hair loss around three months after giving birth.
- Treatment may reverse hair loss in mild cases of alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition.
- Cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation may lead to hair loss, which can reverse once treatment ends.
- Major stress, serious illness, or surgery can trigger significant hair loss for weeks or months afterward.
- Losing more than 20 pounds may also cause noticeable hair shedding.
To encourage hair regrowth, a dermatologist might recommend one of these treatments:
- Corticosteroid injections in bald or thinning areas every 4 to 8 weeks. According to the AAD, this is the most effective option for alopecia areata.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, where the doctor draws a small amount of your blood and injects the plasma into bald spots. The procedure takes about 10 minutes and is done monthly for 3 months, then every 3 to 6 months.
- Finasteride (Propecia), a prescription medication, may help slow hair loss and promote new growth.
Find the best hair loss specialists near you
If you're frustrated about your hair falling out and haven't found any success with over-the-counter or cosmetic remedies, consider seeking a professional's opinion. Hair loss specialists, such as dermatologists, are highly skilled in diagnosing and treating hair and scalp problems. They can help you comprehend the root cause of your hair loss and offer the proper treatment.
If you wish to consult a hair specialist near you, Zocdoc can help you find one in your area or neighborhood. Booking an appointment with a top-rated dermatologist or trichologist can be challenging, but Zocdoc can help you do so within a few clicks.
To book a video or in-person consultation, visit the Zocdoc website and enter your condition or symptoms, location, insurance plan, and the date you want to see the provider. If you do not have insurance coverage, select "I'm paying for myself" from the drop-down menu and continue searching for providers. Review the FAQs on the Zocdoc patient help center page for more insurance-related information.
You can browse through the list of top-rated hair loss specialists and choose one based on gender, distance, time of day, hospital affiliation, spoken languages, wait time, office location, and whether the provider treats children or not. Depending on the provider's availability, you can schedule appointments on the same day, in advance, after work hours (5 pm), in the morning before 10 am, or even on weekends.
Zocdoc also lists each provider's profile, where you can view their medical background, including their specialties, clinical experience, and any certificates, awards, or licensures earned. You can also read honest and verified patient reviews to see how that provider has helped other patients.
All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!
Statistics for hair loss and hair specialists
According to a report published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 12,040 dermatologists in the country (as of May 2023). The top five states with the most dermatologists include Florida, New York, Texas, California, and Massachusetts.
According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, roughly 6.7 million people in the US have alopecia areata or have had or will have it. About 40% of patients start experiencing symptoms by age 20, and more than 80% display signs of this disease by age 40.
A study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information also suggests that as many as 8.2 million people have had alopecia areata in their lifetime. Another study conducted by the JAMA Network between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019, analyzed records of nearly 1,093,176 patients in the country and found that women are more likely to develop alopecia areata than men. The research showed that of the 1,812 patients with alopecia areata, nearly 1,216, or 67%, were female, and 596, or 33%, were male.
Sources
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
WebMD
American Academy of Dermatology[1]
American Academy of Dermatology[2]
American Academy of Dermatology[3]
American Academy of Dermatology[4]
NYU Langone Health
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
National Alopecia Areata Foundation
National Center for Biotechnology Information[1]
National Center for Biotechnology Information[2]
JAMA Network
Wimpole Clinic
Nemours KidsHealth
Medical News Today
Cleveland Clinic
