Effective treatment for hair loss starts by finding out why it’s happening. To get the right diagnosis, it helps to see a dermatologist who is certified by a medical board. These doctors know a lot about the different reasons for hair loss and have experience treating various causes.
How Do Dermatologists Find Out What’s Causing Hair Loss?
To find the cause of your hair loss, a dermatologist starts by gathering information.
Your dermatologist will:
Ask questions.
It’s important to know how long you’ve been losing hair and whether it started suddenly or gradually.
Look closely at your scalp, nails, and any other areas where you’re losing hair.
This exam can give important clues about what’s going on.
Check the health of your hair.
Gently pulling a few strands can show your dermatologist how your hair is growing and whether it’s more likely to break.
If your dermatologist thinks your hair loss could be because of a disease, vitamin deficiency, hormone problem, or infection, you may need a blood test or a scalp biopsy.
These tests can be done in the dermatologist’s office.
Once your dermatologist has this information, they can often tell you what’s causing your hair loss.
Sometimes your dermatologist needs more information.
This might happen if you have more than one cause. For example, a woman might be losing hair because she recently had a baby, and she might also have early hereditary hair loss that’s not so obvious.
When Hair May Regrow On Its Own
Yes, your hair might regrow by itself.
This can happen if you recently:
Had a baby
Recovered from a serious illness or had surgery
Underwent cancer treatment
Lost 20 pounds or more
Developed a mild case of a condition called alopecia areata, where your immune system attacks your hair follicles
Got rid of psoriasis on your scalp
Your dermatologist can tell you whether your hair may start to grow again on its own.
Sometimes, you need to make changes to see regrowth. Why don’t you checkout Hair Loss Treatment in Singapore for more detailed information.
Changing your hair care or hairstyle may help
Some hairstyles and hair care routines can damage your hair, leading to hair loss.
If your dermatologist finds that this could be causing your hair loss, they can suggest changes that will help you stop damaging your hair.
When Do Dermatologists Recommend Treatment For Hair Loss?
Even if your hair may regrow on its own, your dermatologist might suggest treatment to help it grow faster.
Sometimes treatment is necessary to stop more hair loss.
A treatment plan for hair loss may include one or more of the following.
At-Home Treatments For Hair Loss
At-home treatments are convenient, and you can buy many of them without a prescription.
Because studies show these can help, your dermatologist may include one or more in your at-home treatment plan.
Minoxidil (Rogaine®): Minoxidil can help with early hair loss, but it can’t regrow an entire head of hair.
To use minoxidil, you apply it to your scalp as directed, usually once or twice a day.
When used properly, minoxidil can:
Help your hair grow
Stop further hair loss
Minoxidil
Minoxidil tends to work better when used with another treatment for hair loss.
Many people see some regrowth when using minoxidil, but it takes time to see results, usually around 6 to 12 months.
If you see regrowth, you’ll need to keep using it every day.
If you stop using minoxidil, you lose its benefits.
Because minoxidil helps maintain your hair’s thickness, some hairs may look and feel thinner. You’ll also start to notice more hair shedding over time.
Laser for at-home use: You can buy laser caps and combs to treat hair loss at home.
While only a few studies have looked at these devices, the results are promising.