Injections of corticosteroids: To help your hair regrow, your dermatologist injects this medication into the bald (or thinning) areas. These injections are usually given every 4 to 8 weeks as needed, so you will need to return to your dermatologist's office for treatment.
Dermatologists are the experts in diagnosing and treating hair loss.
“For those who notice they're shedding more than the average 100 - 150 scalp hairs a day, see a receding hairline, balding at the crown, or have a strong history of male pattern baldness in their family, seeking the help of a dermatologist early on will likely have the greatest impact on reducing or reversing hair loss ...
Medication. Your dermatologist will prescribe medication to help with hair loss. Topical minoxidil, commonly called Rogaine, can help with hair growth and thickness. In some cases, your doctor will prescribe Finasteride in oral form.
How is female hair loss treated? Minoxidil (Rogaine) 5% is the only topical medication approved by the FDA for female-pattern hair loss. The once daily use foam treatment regrows hair in 81% of the women who try it. Liquid options of 2% and 5% solutions are available over the counter.
Lifestyle factors could include using certain hair products, wearing your hair up too tightly, experiencing high stress levels, or not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals in your diet. People who have immune system deficiencies could also have thinning hair.
Oral finasteride is a prescription medication for men who have male pattern hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride slows the rate of hair loss and stimulates new hair growth by inhibiting the body's production of a hormone that destroys hair follicles.
Although hair re-growth may be possible, you should also know when to seek professional help. If the reason for thinning hair is genetics, it will not grow back on its own. To grow back a healthy, full head of hair, you'll need to take action, and that involves reviewing different hair loss options.
When to see a doctor. See your doctor if you're concerned about how much hair you are losing every day. A gradual thinning on the top of your head, the appearance of patchy or bald spots on your scalp, and full-body hair loss are signs that there may be an underlying health condition.
Medical and Other Conditions
There are a wide range of conditions that can bring on hair loss, with some of the most common being pregnancy, thyroid disorders, and anemia. Others include autoimmune diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and skin conditions such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, Rogers says.
Iron deficiency (ID) is the world's most common nutritional deficiency and is a well-known cause of hair loss.
Family history (heredity). The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that happens with aging. This condition is called androgenic alopecia, male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Blood Test, LC/MS
The Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Blood Test measures DHT levels in the blood to help determine the cause of male pattern hair loss and prostate problems.
Overall, Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam for Hair Thinning and Loss is the top choice given the FDA-approved hair growth-boosting ingredient in its formula.
Currently, minoxidil is one of two FDA-approved hair regrowth treatments (the other, finasteride, is something we've discussed below). As such, it's one of several dermatologist recommended hair growth products you'll likely hear about if you talk to a healthcare provider about thinning hair.
Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair At a Glance:
Best Overall: Pura D'Or Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Shampoo. Most Nourishing: Virtue Flourish Shampoo. Best Volume: Biolage Advanced Full Density Thickening Shampoo. Best Organic Formula: Andalou Naturals Argan Stem Cell Age Defying Shampoo.
Fatigue associated with an iron deficiency (or a lack of iron in the blood, with or without anemia) can cause chronic hair loss, scientifically referred to as “chronic telogen effluvium”.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.