Hair loss can be a distressing experience, impacting self-esteem and overall well-being. Effective treatment begins with understanding the root cause of your hair thinning. This is where a Hair Thinning Doctor, a board-certified dermatologist, plays a crucial role. Dermatologists possess specialized knowledge in diagnosing and treating the diverse causes of hair loss, offering expertise to help patients understand their condition and explore effective solutions for hair regrowth.
How Hair Thinning Doctors Diagnose Hair Loss
Identifying the cause of hair thinning is the first step towards effective treatment. A hair thinning doctor, or dermatologist, employs a comprehensive approach to pinpoint the underlying issue. This process typically involves:
- Detailed Questioning: Your dermatologist will ask about the onset and duration of your hair loss, seeking to understand if it was sudden or gradual.
- Thorough Scalp Examination: A close examination of your scalp, nails, and other areas affected by hair loss provides vital clues about the nature of the condition.
- Hair Health Assessment: Gentle hair pull tests help the dermatologist assess hair growth patterns and identify hair fragility or breakage.
In cases where an underlying medical condition, vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, or infection is suspected, blood tests or a scalp biopsy may be necessary. These diagnostic tests can be conveniently performed in your dermatologist’s office.
Once your hair thinning doctor gathers this information, they can often provide a clear diagnosis of the cause of your hair loss.
Sometimes, identifying the exact cause is more complex, especially when multiple factors are at play. For instance, postpartum hair shedding in women may coincide with early stages of hereditary hair loss, requiring a nuanced diagnosis from a hair thinning doctor.
Not Every Hair Thinning Treatment is Universal
After diagnosing the cause of your hair thinning, your dermatologist will discuss treatment recommendations. In some instances, hair regrowth may occur naturally, making treatment unnecessary.
When Hair Regrowth May Happen Naturally
Yes, hair can regrow on its own in certain situations. This spontaneous regrowth is often observed following:
- Childbirth
- Recovery from significant illness or surgery
- Cancer treatment completion
- Weight loss of 20 pounds or more
- Mild cases of alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition affecting hair follicles
- Resolution of scalp psoriasis
A hair thinning doctor can assess your specific situation and determine if natural hair regrowth is likely.
In some cases, simple lifestyle adjustments can be sufficient to encourage regrowth.
Hair Care Adjustments to Combat Thinning
Certain hairstyles and hair care practices can contribute to hair damage and thinning. If your dermatologist identifies these factors as potential causes, they can recommend adjustments to minimize hair damage and promote healthier hair growth.
For expert advice on hair care practices recommended by dermatologists, consult resources focusing on gentle hair care techniques.
When Hair Thinning Doctors Recommend Treatment
While spontaneous hair regrowth is possible, a hair thinning doctor may recommend treatment to expedite the process or prevent further hair loss. In some cases, treatment is crucial to halt progressive hair thinning.
A personalized treatment plan for hair loss may incorporate one or more of the following approaches.
Convenient At-Home Treatments for Hair Thinning
At-home treatments offer ease of use, and many are available over-the-counter. Backed by research, these options are often integrated into a dermatologist-recommended at-home treatment plan.
Minoxidil (Rogaine®): Minoxidil is effective for early-stage hair loss but may not restore a full head of hair.
Applied topically to the scalp as directed (usually once or twice daily), minoxidil can:
- Encourage hair follicle stimulation for growth
- Help prevent further hair thinning
Minoxidil’s effectiveness is often amplified when used in combination with other hair loss therapies. While regrowth is common, it is a gradual process, typically taking 6 to 12 months to become noticeable.
Consistent daily use is essential to maintain results. Discontinuing minoxidil will lead to a reversal of benefits, including potential thinning and increased shedding.
At-Home Laser Therapy: Laser caps and combs offer a convenient way to treat hair thinning at home. While research is still evolving, initial studies show promise.
One study involving individuals with hereditary hair loss compared laser hair combs to sham devices. Participants used the assigned device three times weekly for 26 weeks.
Results indicated that laser comb users experienced statistically significant improvements in hair thickness and fullness compared to the sham device group.
It’s important to note that laser therapy is not universally effective. Further research is needed to identify ideal candidates and assess long-term effects.
Microneedling: Microneedling devices, equipped with numerous fine needles, have shown potential in stimulating hair growth. One study investigated men aged 20-35 with mild to moderate hereditary hair loss, comparing:
- 5% minoxidil applied twice daily
- 5% minoxidil plus weekly microneedling
After 12 weeks, the combination therapy group demonstrated significantly greater hair regrowth compared to minoxidil alone.
Other studies suggest that combining microneedling with treatments like platelet-rich plasma or topical corticosteroids can enhance hair growth.
While at-home microneedling devices are available, consulting a hair thinning doctor is recommended. Microneedling can exacerbate certain conditions, and selecting the appropriate device with the correct needle length is crucial for hair loss treatment.
In-Office Procedures for Hair Regrowth
While at-home treatments offer convenience, in-office procedures performed by a board-certified hair thinning doctor often yield more impactful results. Dermatologists may recommend procedures like:
Corticosteroid Injections: To stimulate hair regrowth, corticosteroids are injected directly into thinning or bald patches. Injections are typically administered every 4 to 8 weeks as needed, requiring regular visits to the dermatologist’s office.
This treatment is highly effective for localized alopecia areata. A study of 127 patients with patchy alopecia areata showed that over 80% experienced at least 50% hair regrowth within 12 weeks of corticosteroid injections.
Hair Transplantation: For individuals with thinning or balding due to male or female pattern baldness, hair transplantation offers a viable solution. This procedure can provide permanent, natural-looking results.
Further information can be found in resources detailing the benefits of hair transplant procedures for restoring hair.
Laser Therapy (In-Office): For those seeking alternatives to daily topical or oral medications, in-office laser therapy is an option. Also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), studies suggest its efficacy in treating:
- Hereditary hair loss
- Alopecia areata
- Chemotherapy-induced hair loss
- Promoting healing and hair growth post-hair transplant
Laser therapy is considered safe and painless but requires consistent treatment sessions, often multiple times a week for several months to achieve noticeable hair regrowth.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): PRP therapy is emerging as a safe and effective hair loss treatment. The procedure involves drawing a small blood sample, processing it to concentrate platelets, and injecting the platelet-rich plasma into areas of hair loss.
The procedure is relatively quick (around 10 minutes) and typically involves minimal downtime.
Repeat injections are necessary, usually monthly for the first three months, followed by maintenance treatments every 3 to 6 months. Patients often observe reduced hair shedding within the initial months of PRP therapy.
Prescription Medications to Regrow Hair
Another avenue for hair regrowth is prescription medication. The choice of medication depends on several factors, including:
- The underlying cause of hair loss
- Overall health status
- Age
- Desired outcomes
- Family planning considerations
Potential side effects are associated with all medications, and it’s essential to discuss these with your hair thinning doctor. Common prescription medications include:
Finasteride (Propecia®): FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss, finasteride can:
- Slow down or halt hair loss progression
- Stimulate new hair growth
Finasteride is taken orally once daily, ideally at the same time each day for optimal results.
Finasteride: Before and After Results
This series of photos illustrates the effectiveness of finasteride in treating male pattern hair loss. After one year of treatment (B), noticeable hair regrowth is evident. By year two (C), significant hair restoration has occurred.
Like other hair loss treatments, finasteride requires time to produce visible results, typically around 4 months.
Finasteride tends to be most effective when initiated early in the course of hair loss. Dermatologists may also prescribe it for women with hereditary hair loss who are not planning pregnancy.
Continuous use is necessary to maintain the benefits of finasteride. Discontinuation will lead to hair loss recurrence. Discuss potential side effects with your dermatologist before starting finasteride.
Spironolactone: This medication is an option for women experiencing female pattern hair loss. Spironolactone can:
- Prevent further hair thinning
- Increase hair thickness
Studies indicate spironolactone’s effectiveness in approximately 40% of women with female pattern hair loss. One study reported mild improvement in 42% and increased hair thickness in 31% of women treated with spironolactone.
Pregnancy must be avoided while taking spironolactone due to the risk of birth defects. Hair thinning doctors will prescribe birth control for women who could become pregnant while on this medication.
Other Medications: For hair loss associated with infection or inflammation, dermatologists can prescribe targeted medications.
For example, frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), a condition causing inflammatory hair loss, may be treated with antibiotics and antimalarial medications. Scalp ringworm, a fungal infection, requires antifungal medication.
Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements for Hair Health
If blood tests reveal deficiencies in biotin, iron, or zinc, your hair thinning doctor may recommend supplements. Protein deficiency can also contribute to hair loss, and your dermatologist can advise on dietary adjustments.
It’s crucial to only supplement biotin, iron, or zinc when a deficiency is confirmed by blood tests. Excessive intake can be harmful. For instance, iron overload can lead to iron poisoning, with symptoms like stomach pain and vomiting.
Many hair loss supplements contain high concentrations of single nutrients, which can be problematic. Many dermatologists recommend a multivitamin as a safer alternative.
Wigs and Hair Concealers
For individuals who prefer non-medical approaches, have time constraints, or are concerned about treatment costs (often not covered by insurance), wigs and concealers are viable options.
While wigs and concealers do not address the underlying cause of hair loss or promote regrowth, they can significantly improve self-esteem by providing immediate cosmetic solutions.
A wide variety of wigs, including custom-made options, are available. Hair concealers, such as sprays and powders, effectively camouflage thinning areas. Given the extensive product choices, consulting a dermatologist can help in selecting the most suitable wig or concealer.
Expected Outcomes of Hair Loss Treatment
With accurate diagnosis and appropriate intervention from a hair thinning doctor, many individuals experiencing hair loss can achieve hair regrowth. Early treatment initiation generally improves the likelihood of successful regrowth.
It’s essential to have realistic expectations:
- Not all types of hair loss are treatable, but further progression can often be prevented.
- Treatment results are gradual and may take months to become apparent.
- Treatment effectiveness varies, even among individuals with the same type of hair loss.
- Persistent hair loss may necessitate trying different treatments to find an effective solution.
Self-care practices also play a vital role in hair loss management. Resources on self-care strategies for hair loss provide valuable dermatologist-recommended tips.
Images Image 1 and 2: Getty Images
Image 3: Property of the American Academy of Dermatology, A to Z Video Series
Image 4: Image used with permission of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998; 39:578-89.
References Adil A, Godwin M. “The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77:136-141.
American Academy of Dermatology:
- “Research demonstrates potential of platelet-rich plasma therapy for hair loss” News release issued March 1, 2019. Last accessed May 22, 2019.
- New generation of laser and light therapies could provide future treatment options for skin, hair and nail conditions,” News release issued March 16, 2012. Last accessed May 22, 2019.
Avci P, Gupta GK, et al. “Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) for treatment of hair loss.” Lasers Surg Med. 2014;46:144-51.
Dhurat R, Sukesh M, et al. “A randomized evaluator blinded study of effect of microneedling in androgenetic alopecia: A pilot study.” Int J Trichology. 2013;5:6-11.
Donovan J. (2019, March) “Medically maximizing male and female hair loss.” In: Rogers NE (Director) Session S032: Alopecia: Work-up and treatment.” Symposium conducted at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, Washington, DC.
Freites-Martinez A, Shapiro J, et al. “Hair disorders in cancer survivors.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80:1199-1213.
Goren A, Shapiro J, et al. “Clinical utility and validity of minoxidil response testing in androgenetic alopecia.” Dermatol Ther. 2015;28:13-6.
Jimenez JJ, Wikramanayake TC, et al. “Efficacy and safety of a low-level laser device in the treatment of male and female pattern hair loss: a multicenter, randomized, sham device-controlled, double-blind study.” Am J Clin Dermatol. 2014;15:115-27.
Kumar MK, Inamadar AC, et al. “A randomized controlled, single-observer blinded study to determine the efficacy of topical minoxidil plus microneedling versus topical minoxidil alone in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.” J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2018;11:211-6.
Paus R, Olsen EA, et al. “Hair growth disorders.” In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008:753-74.
Ring CM, Keller MS. “Research letters: Effect of camouflaging agents on psychologic well-being: A cross-sectional survey of hair loss patients.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;76:1186-9. Funding sources: None. Conflicts of interest: None declared
Rodrigues BL, Montalvão SAL, et al. “Treatment of male pattern alopecia with platelet-rich plasma: A double-blind controlled study with analysis of platelet number and growth factor levels.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80:694-700.
Shannon F, Christa S, et. al. “Demographics of women with female pattern hair loss and the effectiveness of spironolactone therapy.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015;73: 705-6.
Last updated: 12/13/22
