Hair Loss
Hair loss is a common complaint among our patients, both men and women. Although is it normal to shed hairs each day, excessive hair loss can lead to a thinning hair line, and areas of baldness. There are hair loss treatments that help promote hair growth or hide hair loss. For some types of hair loss, hair growth may return without any treatment.
Normal Hair Growth
To understand how hair loss happens, it is helpful to understand how hair normally grows. Each shaft of hair is produced by a hair follicle. The cells in the hair follicle produce hair for about 2-3 years. During this growth phase called “anagen”, each hair grows about 1 centimeter (1/2 inch) per month. After this growth phase, the hair follicle enters a resting phase called “telogen” during which the hair remains in place, but stops growing. This “resting phase” lasts about 3-4 months, after which the hair falls out. After the hair falls out, the hair follicle starts producing a new shaft of hair.
On average, 90% of the hairs on the head are in the “growth phase” at any one time (and 10% are in the resting phase). People normally shed hairs each day as the hair follicles reach the end of the resting phase and prepare to produce new hairs. 50 to 100 hairs are shed daily from a normal scalp.
Hair Loss Causes
The most common cause of hair loss among men is called male-pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia. Men who have this type of hair loss usually have inherited the trait. Men who start losing their hair at an early age tend to develop more extensive baldness. With male-pattern baldness, hair loss typically results in a receding hair line and baldness on the top of the head (vertex).
Women may develop female-pattern baldness. With this form of hair loss, the hair can become thin over the entire scalp. Female-pattern baldness is much more common than is generally recognized.
Other less common causes of hair loss include:
- Alopecia areata
- Extreme stress
- Hormonal problems
- Post-partum hair loss
- Certain medications
- Excessive tension on the hair
Non-Surgical Options Using Medications
Medications can provide excellent benefits for patients who are in the early stages of balding or thinning hair. There are two effective and FDA-approved medications for common male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia): Propecia (oral medication) and Rogaine (topical medication).
Rogaine® (minoxidil) is a non-prescription topical medication applied to the scalp to grow hair and to prevent further hair loss. It may also be used for the treatment of alopecia areata. New hair resulting from Rogaine use may be thinner and shorter than previous hair. But, there may be sufficient hair growth in some to hide bald spots and have the new hair blend with existing hair. It is important to note that hair growth stops after you discontinue the use of Rogaine. Side effects can include irritation of the scalp.
Propecia® (finasteride) is a prescription medication taken daily by mouth. It is available for use by men only. Many men taking Propecia experience a slowing of hair loss, and some may show some new hair growth. It may take several months for new hair growth to appear. Hair growth will stop after you discontinue the use of Propecia.
Propecia works by stopping the conversion of male hormones into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can shrink hair follicles in men who are susceptible to its effects.
Candidates for Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatments
Non-surgical hair loss treatments are excellent options for both men and women who want to stop hair loss in their tracks and reclaim a full, healthy head of hair. Since our treatments are non-surgical, almost any patient who is experiencing some form of hair loss can benefit from them.
