There are a ton of reasons why you want a dermatologist to treat your hair loss. Society has placed so much value on hair to the extent that it is now one of the symbols of attractiveness. A slight hair loss, thus, can damage your looks and has even proven to be associated with damaging psychological consequences such as anxiety and depression (1).
Luckily, dermatologists treat skin conditions and are trained to address your hair health and nails. Here are five reasons why you want a dermatologist to treat your hair loss.
Key Takeaway
- Dermatologists are trained to care for skin, nails, and hair and are some of the most qualified hair care specialists.
- A dermatologist will help you diagnose, treat, and formulate a care routine to help you regrow your hair.
- While over-the-counter (OTC) shampoos and hair conditioning gels can make your hair look more attractive, they will not treat your alopecia.
- There are different types of alopecia, and all are treatable with early intervention.
1. Dermatologists Are Hair Loss Experts
Now, you are probably confused. Can dermatologist help with hair loss?
Yes. Dermatologists don’t just deal with skin health issues like acne, warts, and eczema. After earning a bachelor’s degree, they continue with four years of med school, one year of interning, and at least three years as residents. During that time, they learn about skin, hair, and nails.
After completing their education and training, they can become board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology. Like any other medical specialty, a board-certified dermatologist can be more interested in particular study areas than others.
Thus, a dermatologist can become a hair loss specialist, and that is the guy to help you with your damaged hair.
2. They Are Skilled at Diagnosing Types of Alopecia
There are different types of alopecia, each with a different cause, diagnosis, and treatment routine. The most common type of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, characterized by male and female hair loss patterns.
It’s an inherited form of hair loss that occurs when a person’s testosterone converts to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and attaches to the hair follicles. Once that happens, the hair follicles shrink, the hair thins and begins to shed. If the condition isn’t reversed, the hair follicles can eventually close off, preventing new growth altogether.
Dermatologists are trained to diagnose male and female pattern hair loss with a visual exam. As the name suggests, when people experience male or female pattern hair loss, the balding or thinning occurs in predictable patterns.
Diagnosing other types of alopecia may require further testing. While each kind of alopecia has recognizable traits, a closer look at it with a dermatoscope or a pathologist’s report is more conclusive. Blood tests may also be needed to determine if a thyroid imbalance or other medical condition is causing the hair loss.
Regrow Your Hair With Key Ingredient Dutasteride
3. Preventing Irreversible Alopecia Requires Timely and Accurate Information, And That’s Why You Want a Dermatologist to Treat Your Hair
If you have thinning hair or balding, it’s not a good idea to take a wait-and-see approach. Unless you have telogen effluvium, it’s not likely that your hair will magically grow back without intervention.
Treatment for androgenetic and other alopecia types is designed to stop shedding and stimulate regrowth. The process is time-sensitive because the hair follicle must remain open for growth. Once the hair follicle closes, the window of opportunity for hair regrowth also closes.
Having a dermatologist prescribe the proper hair loss treatment procedure from the start will give you the best chance of achieving your desired result.
4. They Can Give You Access to Effective Prescription Hair Loss Medications
The market is flooded with over-the-counter (OTC) hair growth remedies. OTC shampoo and hair care conditioning will improve the appearance of your existing hair, but they won’t regrow your hair if you have male or female pattern hair loss.
Similarly, supplements will compensate for any vitamin deficiencies and create a healthy environment for new hair. However, it takes stronger, prescription-grade medication to regrow hair; these are only available through a dermatologist. Some are FDA-approved, and others are prescribed off-label.
Here’s an idea of what Happy Head dermatologists often prescribe:
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is clinically proven to revive hair follicles and thicken hair over time. It’s available in pill and topical solutions. The medication works by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, giving the scalp more oxygen and nutrients. It also kickstarts the hair growth cycle, moving hair from the resting phase into a growth phase and extending the stage.
Minoxidil is sold OTC as Rogaine and in private store brands. The difference between what you can get with a prescription is the dosage. Stores sell two and five percent. Happy Head and pharmacies sell eight percent topical solutions and 2.25 milligrams of oral Minoxidil, which is higher than what’s available in OTC.
Research indicates that pairing Minoxidil with DHT blockers such as Finasteride (1), Dutasteride, and Spironolactone (2) improves efficacy. That’s why Happy Head offers combination formulas.
Finasteride
Finasteride is a first-line DHT blocker that has been FDA-approved for men with androgenetic alopecia since 1997. It’s prescribed to women off-label.
Research indicates that Finasteride reduces serum DHT levels by 70 percent. Increasing the dose doesn’t result in a more significant serum reduction. (3) The medication is ideal for people with early recession or thinning.
Dutasteride
Dutasteride is a step up from Finasteride. It’s also a DHT blocker but inhibits more enzymes than Finasteride. Finasteride inhibits the Type II 5-alpha reductase enzyme, while Dutasteride inhibits both Type 1 and Type II.
Experts estimate that Dutasteride reduces serum DHT levels by approximately 95 percent. (4) Because Dutasteride is a more potent medication than Finasteride, side effects may be more likely when taken orally. Topical formulas have been proven to be equally as effective with lower changes of undesirable side effects. (5)
Spironolactone
Spironolactone is an aldosterone receptor antagonist often prescribed to women under 50. It works like a DHT blocker. The oral medication is typically reserved for women since it can cause feminization side effects such as enlarged breasts in men. Both women and men can use the topical formula.
Latanoprost
Latanoprost is one of the newest prescription hair-loss medications on the market. It was initially marketed as a glaucoma treatment. When doctors discovered the medication caused longer, thicker, darker eyelashes, dermatologists tested and sold the product for scalp growth.
5. Dermatologists Can Adjust Your Treatment Plan if Necessary
Not every treatment option works for every person. Body chemistry differs from person to person, and no test exists to indicate which medication is best for each individual. Sometimes, finding the proper medication or mix of drugs means starting with a first-line prescription and stepping up dosages or to more powerful formulas as needed.
Other times, patients need customized formulas. Dermatologists have the experience necessary to determine when changes need to be made in your treatment plan.
If you’ve noticed that your hair is thinning, now is the time to make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist and hair specialist. Minoxidil, finasteride, and spironolactone are just a few of the treatment options available, and you don’t want to waste valuable time that you could use to regrow your hair.
Need a referral? Visit Happy Head, your one-stop hair loss shop, without waiting for an appointment. Happy Head was founded by renowned dermatologists Dr. Ben and Dr. Sean Behnam, who continue to be at the heart of its operations.
Your health history is reviewed by a screened and licensed dermatologist, who will work with you to select the right medication for your condition. We even customize prescriptions and ship your order discreetly to your front door.
Need a change? That's not a problem. We’re also here to answer any questions you have. Take the questionnaire to get started. It only takes a few minutes, and there’s no wait—it's all done online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a dermatologist help with hair loss?
Yes. Dermatologists specialize in skin care, nails, and hair care. A board-certified dermatologist will help you diagnose, treat, and prescribe appropriate care routines for your hair to treat hair loss.
Is Hair Loss the Same as Alopecia?
Yes. Alopecia is the umbrella term for the over 15 types of hair loss. These types are determined based on their severity and the possibility of treating or reversing them. In most extreme cases, the hair follicles become damaged, while the follicles remain open and intact in less severe situations.
How Do I Know Which Type of Hair Loss I Am Having?
There are different types of hair loss, each with its own diagnosis and treatment routine. It is also possible to have more than one type of alopecia, and the best way to know about this is to book a session with a board-certified dermatologist for assessment and diagnosis.
Is it Possible to Reverse Hair Loss?
The possibility of reversing hair loss depends on the type and the response duration one takes to address the condition. Timely intervention to address the inflammation around the hair follicles can open up these follicles for your hair to regrow. However, if you delay and the hair follicle closes, the window of opportunity for hair regrowth also closes.
Does Not Shaving Reduce Hair Loss?
No. Shaving or not shaving does not impact hair loss. Shaving only cuts the base of the hair and does not affect the hair follicle, which is where hair loss happens.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10084176/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32166351/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10010138/#:~:text=Three%20studies%20compared%20the%20combination,with%20only%20one%20emerging%20hair%2C
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513329/#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%20finasteride,reduction%20in%20serum%20DHT%20levels.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684818/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7706484/
