Identifying the underlying causes of hair loss in both men and women can be tricky. A variety of factors contribute to the condition and in some cases, the causes are simply unknown. Board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Joel Schlessinger elaborates, “Getting to the root of the problem is essential to identify which hair loss treatment will ultimately work best for you. While it is not always possible to find a cause of hair loss, at Schlessinger MD, we take a multi-faceted, thorough approach when developing any hair loss treatment regimen.”
The first thing to know is that if you’re dealing with hair loss, you’re not alone: it’s one of the most common medical concerns in America. To learn more about this condition as well as treatment options at Schlessinger MD, read below as we discuss:
- What causes hair loss (alopecia)?
- Hair loss treatments for improved hair growth
What causes hair loss?
It’s normal for humans to lose between fifty and a hundred and fifty hair strands a day, but if you experience a noticeable amount in your hairbrush, your shower drain, or your pillow, you may be experiencing a form of alopecia, which is the general medical term for hair loss. Understanding the different types of hair loss and the causes of each can be anything but simple. Board-certified dermatologist as well as Mohs and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Daniel Schlessinger elaborates, “Hair loss isn’t just one condition but rather a variety of different conditions. Hair loss may be caused by genetics, environmental exposures, autoimmune diseases, hormonal changes, trauma, stress, viral illnesses, diet or things we simply don’t know.”
Here are a few common types of hair loss:
Androgenetic alopecia – This type of hair loss is the most common. It is usually inherited and is related to an increase in androgen hormones found in both men and women. With this type of hair loss, men typically notice a receding hairline or thinning at the top of the head, while women typically notice thinning or hair loss over the crown or temples of the scalp. A board-certified dermatologist can generically help this via certain procedures and medications, but time will almost always continue to progress the hair loss.
Telogen effluvium – This type of hair loss involves excessive hair shedding due to stress or a traumatic change to the body from illnesses like COVID-19, dramatic weight loss after taking medications like Ozempic or other GLP-1 medications, serious infections, surgeries, major stressors (e.g., car accident or death in the family), or postpartum hormonal changes. Hair will thin with this type of hair loss, but it’s rare for discrete, large bald spots to form. Dr. Joel Schlessinger adds, “In the years following the pandemic, we saw many patients dealing with COVID-19-related hair loss. As opposed to postpartum-related telogen effluvium, COVID-19 hair loss tends to appear quicker and last longer, especially if there have been multiple episodes of COVID infection.”
Alopecia areata – Associated with autoimmune disease and genetics, this type of alopecia causes patchy hair loss on the scalp and, in some cases, the face or body. While the triggers are multi-factorial and not fully understood, it is auto-immune at its core, causing your body’s immune system to mistake your healthy tissue for harmful tissue and attack it. Sometimes, patients with alopecia areata can see its effects on their nails or lose all the hair on the scalp ( alopecia totalis) or all the hair on their body (alopecia universalis). With proper treatment from a board-certified dermatologist, this type of hair loss can often be reversed or improved.
Frontal Fibrosing alopecia (FFA) – This increasingly common form of hair loss is a type of alopecia affecting the frontal hairline and eyebrows in which scar formation destroys the hair follicle. Unlike the three prior forms of hair loss, this is a scarring alopecia, meaning that the hair follicles are permanently destroyed. A recent article published by Dr. Daniel Schlessinger showed that this type of alopecia may be linked to an allergic sensitivity to cetrimonium bromide, an anti-frizz chemical found in many hair conditioners.
Traction alopecia – Chronic, repetitive tension on hair strands from tight hairstyles is the cause behind this common type of scarring hair loss. Tight ponytails, buns, braids, hair extensions and pigtails can all contribute to this type of alopecia.
Hair loss treatments for hair growth
The sooner you can get to the bottom of the cause(s) of your hair loss, the quicker you can take steps to improve it. To save time and money on treatments that may or may not be helpful in treating your type of hair loss, your first step should be scheduling a visit with a board-certified dermatologist. Drs. Joel and Daniel Schlessinger or one of our board-certified physician assistants will gather an in-depth medical history in conjunction with an examination and tailored lab work to learn more about your hair loss. From here, a treatment regimen will be curated for you and may include a combination of different types of oral medication, at-home supplements, hair care regimens and in-office treatments.
A hair loss treatment may include:
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) – Platelet-rich plasma treatment involves utilizing the regenerative capabilities of growth factors found in your blood, increasing their concentration and then injecting them into the areas of hair loss. During this treatment, we ensure patient comfort with topical numbing options or Pro-Nox. For best results, we typically recommend three treatments be spaced two to six months apart. Maintenance treatments are recommended every six months to a year.
Clinical trials – The clinical research department at Schlessinger MD researches the most cutting-edge treatments for many skin and hair conditions, including hair loss. We have done several clinical trials on hair loss in the past and currently, and if you qualify, you may be able to participate and try some of the latest advancements in hair loss medications and treatments. Notably, our researchers were involved in clinical trials for Olumiant®, the first FDA-approved, once-daily pill for adults with severe alopecia areata.
Topical prescriptions – We may prescribe a medication like minoxidil, which is FDA-approved for androgenetic alopecia. Although it isn’t fully understood, minoxidil is thought to work by shortening the telogen (resting) phase of hair growth, extending the growth (anagen) phase, increasing follicle size and stimulating blood flow in the scalp. Minoxidil is typically a long-term or life-long treatment that needs to be applied daily to maintain results.
At-home treatments – There are several over-the-counter supplements, devices and other treatments that are helpful for hair loss patients. We often recommend board-certified dermatologist-developed ReTress hair care products to improve hair density and nourish hair follicles.
Additionally, the Viviscal Professional Hair Growth Program is a supplement that can be incorporated into your anti-hair loss regimen, as it is formulated with an AminoMar® marine complex, biotin, apple extract and vitamin C to encourage hair growth and strengthen weak strands.
Finally, some specific laser treatments can also improve hair loss. If you want to try laser therapy at home, we recommend the FDA-cleared HairMax LaserBand 41 ComfortFlex Hair Growth Device. It uses light energy to stimulate hair follicles at the cellular level to promote and support healthy hair growth.
The emotional toll of hair loss can be difficult, but our team at Schlessinger MD is here to help you take the guesswork out of choosing treatments that are right for you. Visit our appointment page and book an appointment with our team of board-certified providers today.