Wednesday, May 1, 2024

What is Alopecia? Plus 6 Treatments for Hair Loss

womens hair loss

More studies are needed to find out who is most likely to benefit from this treatment and whether these devices cause long-term side effects. It’s important to understand that not everyone who used a laser saw regrowth. Should you see regrowth, you will need to keep using it every day.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia

They may ask whether any of your relatives have hair loss. Pregnancy, and especially giving birth, can lead to hair loss. You're most likely to see hair loss about 3 months after giving birth. That's because your estrogen levels drop after childbirth.

How to treat hair loss

It prevents androgen receptors from activating, which reduces the influence these hormones can have on your hair follicles. The FDA has approved a few laser treatment devices to treat hair loss at home. But we need more studies into their safety and effectiveness for long-term use.

Medical Professionals

At some point, hair follicles stop growing hair, which causes the hair on our scalp to thin. Doctors often prescribe oral medications to be used along with topical minoxidil because studies show the combination boosts hair production. Low-dose oral minoxidil (prescribed off-label) has been found to be effective and safe for most patients, Mirmirani says. Other oft-used drugs include finasteride (Propecia) and spironolactone. If you have scarring alopecia or alopecia areata, your doctor may recommend an anti-inflammatory medication such as the JAK inhibitor Olumiant (baricitinib) to help tamp down your immune system. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is showing promise in the hair regrowth department, too.

To see a bit of hair growth, you may need several treatments a week for many months. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a low-level laser device as a treatment for hereditary hair loss in men and women. A few small studies have shown that it improves hair density.

Changing your hair care (or hairstyle) may help

Kaitlyn Phoenix is a deputy editor in the Hearst Health Newsroom, where she reports, writes and edits research-backed health content for Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day. She has more than 10 years of experience talking to top medical professionals and poring over studies to figure out the science of how our bodies work. Beyond that, Kaitlyn turns what she learns into engaging and easy-to-read stories about medical conditions, nutrition, exercise, sleep and mental health. “Be cautious about vitamins, supplements, and shampoos that claim to help hair loss,” advises Dr. Goh. “None of these have been studied thoroughly and they often cost a lot of money.” There’s also little regulation of these products by the FDA so there’s no guarantee that they are both safe and effective. But consult your doctor before you start to worry; thinning hair is often reversible, Dr. Simpson says.

These ingredients are those that aren’t typically found in the diet, such as minoxidil and plant-based compounds. When a man has hereditary hair loss, the first sign is often a receding hairline or bald spot at the top of his head. No matter which term you use, it means that you’ve inherited genes that cause your hair follicles (what each hair grows out of) to shrink and eventually stop growing hair.

Minoxidil shortage creates issues for some dealing with alopecia, hair loss - NBC News

Minoxidil shortage creates issues for some dealing with alopecia, hair loss.

Posted: Mon, 30 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Masculinizing hormone therapy (taking testosterone) may cause hair loss within a year, and the effects aren't reversible if you stop hormone treatment. With this type of hair loss, your follicles gradually shrink and the growth cycle is shortened. After a while, some follicles may stop producing hair.

But if your follicles become damaged, the hair loss may be permanent. See your dermatologist if you notice this type of hair loss. The sooner you start treatment, the better the chances for hair regrowth. You can change how you care for your hair, which can prevent hair loss.

It is typically temporary (unless the follicles are damaged). An expert will know how to determine whether your hair will grow back on its own or if you need a personalized treatment plan to turn things around. Anyone can have androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness). These hair changes can make it hard to maintain how you want to look, especially if you're transgender or nonbinary (which means you don't identify as fully male or female).

“Give your doctor a full hair history — when the thinning began, where and how extensive the thinning is, and any relevant symptoms,” she says. Barbosa’s expertise includes managing hair issues specifically affecting Black women. She also organizes quarterly Zoom support group meetings and a series of educational webinars. It doesn't usually cause you to lose all your hair.

womens hair loss

Sometimes to see regrowth, you need to make some changes. Your dermatologist can tell you whether your hair may start to grow again on its own. When faced with hair loss, many people aren’t sure where to turn for help. Use these professionally produced online infographics, posters, and videos to help others find and prevent skin cancer. If you want to diminish a noticeable scar, know these 10 things before having laser treatment.

It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before starting any form of treatment for hair loss. Some types of treatment aren’t safe to use if you’re pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant or going through menopause. A healthcare provider will do a thorough examination and take a detailed history to understand changes in your hair growth. Your provider will also ask about what medications or supplements you currently take. Meanwhile, “the goal of a serum is to target the hair follicle directly by delivering compounds that may allow for improved or optimal hair growth,” says Dr. Mirmirani.

Other studies have shown that using microneedling along with another treatment, including platelet-rich plasma or a corticosteroid that you apply to the thinning area, helps improve hair growth. If your hair loss is caused by an underlying disease, treatment for that disease will be necessary. If a certain medication is causing the hair loss, your doctor may advise you to stop using it for a few months. You can prevent hair loss caused by chemical hair treatments by not using them. You might be able to prevent some hair loss by eating nutritious foods that provide necessary nutrients (like vitamins, minerals and protein) or adding vitamins to your daily routine.

‘Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by repeated pulling or tension on the hair follicles. Tight hairstyles like braids, weaves, or ponytails are common culprits. For instance, if your hair tends to be dry, then “look for serums that contain oils to help hydrate the dry hair shaft,” says Dr. Shaver. Minimize the use of high-heat styling tools, hair extensions and harsh treatments like perms. Avoid hairstyles like tight buns and braids that pull on your scalp, potentially causing traction alopecia. A 2021 review of 15 studies — including several large randomized control trials that are the gold standard for medical research — found that laser therapy increased hair count in both men and women.

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