Hair and Nail Conditions
Hair Loss
Hair loss can be an emotionally difficult condition for both men and women.
What Causes Hair loss?
There are many causes of hair loss. Most commonly it can be genetic, age-related hair loss. Both men and women tend to lose hair thickness and amount as they age. Inherited or "pattern baldness" affects many more men than women. About 25% of men begin to bald by the time they are 30 years old, and about two-thirds are either bald or have a balding pattern by age 60.
Other causes of hair loss are stress, illness, trauma, medication-related, and auto-immune. Alopecia areata is a very common auto-immune disorder causing patches of hair loss.
What should I do if I have hair loss?
Evaluation by a dermatologist may help to define the cause of the hair loss and to work with you to develop a treatment plan. Sometimes a small (and relatively painless) biopsy or laboratory evaluation may be necessary to understand the reason for hair loss.
What treatments are available for hair loss?
With correct diagnosis, many people with hair loss can be helped. Hair loss is typically treated with topical medications such as minoxidil and/or oral medications such as finasteride (propecia). Alopecia Areata is treated with injected or topical steroids. Withcorrect diagnosis and treatment, many patients will experience improvement in their hair loss.In some types of hair loss, hair transplantation may be helpful.
Hair loss can be an emotionally difficult condition for both men and women.
What Causes Hair loss?
There are many causes of hair loss. Most commonly it can be genetic, age-related hair loss. Both men and women tend to lose hair thickness and amount as they age. Inherited or "pattern baldness" affects many more men than women. About 25% of men begin to bald by the time they are 30 years old, and about two-thirds are either bald or have a balding pattern by age 60.
Other causes of hair loss are stress, illness, trauma, medication-related, and auto-immune. Alopecia areata is a very common auto-immune disorder causing patches of hair loss.
What should I do if I have hair loss?
Evaluation by a dermatologist may help to define the cause of the hair loss and to work with you to develop a treatment plan. Sometimes a small (and relatively painless) biopsy or laboratory evaluation may be necessary to understand the reason for hair loss.
What treatments are available for hair loss?
With correct diagnosis, many people with hair loss can be helped. Hair loss is typically treated with topical medications such as minoxidil and/or oral medications such as finasteride (propecia). Alopecia Areata is treated with injected or topical steroids. Withcorrect diagnosis and treatment, many patients will experience improvement in their hair loss.In some types of hair loss, hair transplantation may be helpful.
