Effective Treatment Options for Hair Loss
Hair loss or alopecia is a troubling affliction that can affect every aspect of a person’s life. While many people think of hair loss as a problem among men, women and children can just as easily be impacted by this condition. The American Hair Loss Association estimates that by age 35, two-thirds of American men experience some degree of hair loss. About 40 percent of women suffer hair loss, and for children, three percent of pediatric office visits are attributed to hair loss.
Hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors. Fortunately for those suffering from hair loss or thinning hair, there are a number of treatments available to help stimulate hair growth.
Causes of Hair Loss
- Stress: Many individuals experience hair thinning or hair loss following a period of intense stress or emotion, such as a family death, serious illness, or rapid weight loss.
- Heredity: Genetics is a leading cause of female pattern baldness, accounting for an estimated 30 million cases of hair loss among women in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Women who inherit this condition tend to experience hair thinning in their 50s and 60s, and in some cases, hair follicles stop growing completely.
- Medication: Hair loss can occur as a side effect of drugs used to treat conditions including cancer, arthritis, depression, and high blood pressure.
- Underlying medical conditions: A variety of medical conditions can cause hair loss or thinning including thyroid problems, autoimmune disorders such as alopecia areata, scalp infections, and other skin disorders.
- Hormonal changes: Hormones play a large role in the growth of hair, and shifts in certain hormones can trigger temporary or permanent hair loss. For example, many women tend to lose their hair after pregnancy and childbirth, and during menopause.
Dr. Bernard Gasch, of the Center for Dermatology and Laser Surgery, says that hair loss may leave patients with pattern baldness, thinner hair, or even bald patches. “The loss of hair is undesirable, especially for women, since it drastically changes one’s appearance, and usually impacts their self-confidence,” Dr. Gasch says, “While there is still no cure for hair loss, there are many effective treatments available for patients who want to correct this bothersome condition.”
Hair Loss Therapy
At the Center for Dermatology and Laser Surgery, we are experts in providing hair loss therapy. We have several different treatment options available depending on our patient’s wishes as well as the severity of their loss. Some of the most common forms of hair loss therapy we provide, including systemic options:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
- Laser hair phototherapy
- Topical medication
- Oral medication
We encourage anyone experiencing a significant hair loss to learn more about their treatment options. For more information, contact the Center for Dermatology and Laser Surgery to schedule an appointment with one of our providers at 503-297-3440.
- Posted on: Jul 7 2017
