Many people experience excessive hair loss, but what most people don't realize is that seeing a dermatologist can actually help treat that hair loss, here at AtlanticDerm in Delray Beach, FL, Dr. Yvette Tivoli can help identify what is causing your hair loss and develop a treatment plan to help.
A large majority of the human body is covered in hair. The only places where hair does not naturally grow on people are on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. Hair is made of a protein named keratin and the hair on our heads is actually just long strings of dead keratin. Most people have approximately 100,000 to 150,000 strands of hair on the head and it is not uncommon to lose between 50 and 300 strands of hair every day.
What Causes Hair Loss?
Hair loss is called alopecia, and there are many different types of hair loss. Some types of hair loss are treatable, while there isn't much that can be done for others. Some causes of hair loss are:
- Advancing age
- Genetics
- Changes in hormones
- Stress or illness
- Pregnancy
- Some medical conditions, such as:
- Autoimmune disorders
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disease
- Lupus
- Anemia
- Eating Disorders
- Burns, X-rays, or some injuries
- Improper diet and nutrition
- Medications, including chemotherapy medications
- Cosmetic overuse - for example:
- Using hot rollers, heating irons or other tools improperly or too often
- Keeping hair in tight braids
- Bleaching, perming or dyeing the hair too often
How Can a Dermatologist Help With Hair Loss?
When a patient seeks the help of a dermatologist for hair loss, the doctor will take a medical history and then examine the patient's hair and scalp. They will also examine anywhere else that the person might be experiencing hair loss. If the dermatologist thinks that the hair loss is being caused by a vitamin deficiency or some other type of medical issue or disease, they will likely order some additional tests, such as blood tests or perhaps a scalp biopsy. Once the dermatologist determines the cause of the hair loss, they will recommend a course of treatment which might include:
- Topical medications which are applied directly to the scalp or area of hair loss
- Prescription medications
- Laser treatments to help stimulate hair growth
- Microneedling
- Corticosteroid injections
- Platelet rich plasma treatment
- Supplements, including vitamins and minerals that the person's body might be lacking
- Hair transplants
If you are worried about your excessive hair loss, call (561) 802-7546 and let Dr. Yvette Tivoli and AtlanticDerm in Delray Beach, FL identify the problem and get your locks growing and flowing again.