Hair Loss

Premature hair loss can have a significant impact on your confidence and self-esteem. If you’re struggling with a hair loss condition, like alopecia, Sarika Snell, MD, FAAD, and the team at Integrated Dermatology of 19th Street in Washington, DC, can help. The team uses several hair loss techniques and treatments to manage your condition. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

Why do I have hair loss?

Everybody experiences hair loss at some point in their lives. In fact, the average person sheds between 50-100 hairs a day. 

Although hair loss is perfectly normal, it can become excessive. If you’re noticing large bald patches, thinning hair, or clumps of hair in your shower drain or on your pillow, you may have an 

underlying condition.

What causes hair loss?

There are several medical, environmental, and lifestyle factors that may affect hair growth and loss, including:

Hair care

Hair dyes, bleaches, chemical straighteners, and permanent waves (perm) can make your hair brittle and fragile. If you’re noticing an increase in hair loss after one or more of these treatments, give your hair a break, so it has a chance to regrow.

Certain hairstyles also cause hair breakage. Tight ponytails and braids that pull at your scalp can lead to hair loss, especially around the sides of the scalp.

Diet

An inadequate intake of protein, iron, and overall malnutrition can cause your hair to shatter easily.

Hereditary hair thinning

Genetics play an important role in your hair health. If your parents and grandparents experienced hair loss or premature balding at an early age, then you may also be at risk.

Thyroid disease

An overactive or underactive thyroid can cause hair loss, but this side effect of thyroid disease is reversible with proper treatment and early intervention.

Alopecia 

Alopecia is an autoimmune skin disease that causes large, smooth bald patches and, in rare cases, complete baldness. The disease can develop at any age during childhood and adulthood, and it’s most often linked to genetics.

How is hair loss diagnosed? 

Depending on the severity and location of your hair loss, the Integrated Dermatology of 19th Street team may recommend a blood test to determine the cause. 

They may need a scalp biopsy, a pull test (where the team gently pulls several hairs to see how many fall out), or a light microscopy.

How is hair loss treated?

Some common treatments for hair loss include:

Medication

Your dermatologist may prescribe medications or over-the-counter (OTC) treatments to promote new hair growth and thicken hair.

Laser therapy

Laser therapy can treat hair loss in men and women while increasing the overall hair density.

Hair transplant

A hair transplant is the most effective hair loss treatment available. During the procedure, your dermatologist removes small patches of skin from your scalp, which contain tiny hairs, and implants the follicles into your bald patches.

The Integrated Dermatology of 19th Street team has the necessary skills and experience to diagnose and treat hair loss in patients of all ages. To book a hair loss consultation, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.