29
Nov
August is National Hair Loss Awareness Month
Every year, millions of Americans wake up to realize that their hair has grown thinner than before. It’s often alarming to see such a stark difference in your appearance when you look in the mirror. Especially in our age of social media, unwanted changes to our appearance affect how we want others to see us and how we see ourselves.
If you feel this way, please know you’re not alone. Hair loss, also known as alopecia, affects over 40 million men and 20 million women in the United States. A majority of men and a significant minority of women struggle with some degree of alopecia by the time they reach their mid-thirties.
In honor of National Hair Loss Awareness Month, our team at Clarity Dermatology wants to give you an overview of hair loss and what can be done about it. While often devastating, hair loss is a normal and treatable condition.
What causes hair loss?
Hair loss stems from several different conditions, both genetic and social. Some family lines are simply more likely to experience hair loss, especially if older generations experienced the condition. Hormonal balance also plays a role. Over time, testosterone converts into a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT); certain genetic conditions make hair follicles respond poorly to DHT, resulting in hair loss. Alopecia is also caused by autoimmune responses, in which your body’s immune system attacks hair follicles.
Non-genetic causes for alopecia include lifestyle choices, stress levels, and your choice of diet. Intensive hairstyling can also lead to hair loss, especially tight hairstyles, which strain your hair follicles. Finally, some medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or medications, impact hair growth, including certain antidepressants.
What kinds of hair loss are there?
Alopecia comes in several different varieties. Genetic hair loss is known as androgenetic alopecia or male-/female-pattern baldness. Autoimmune conditions create what is known as alopecia areata, which causes hair loss on both the head and other parts of the body. Disruptions to your hair growth cycle through stress, diet, or other lifestyle choices include telogen effluvium, which is an excessive amount of hair shedding, and in rarer cases, anagen effluvium, in which your body sheds all of its hair at once.
Traction alopecia results from overly tight hairstyles, braids, ponytails, or extensions. Constant strain on hair leads to hair follicles weakening or breaking entirely. Scarring disorders can lead to cicatricial alopecia, where scar tissue displaces or destroys your hair follicles. Finally, diffuse alopecia is the result of nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, chronic illness, or side effects from medication.
What treatments are available?
Given the different conditions that can lead to hair loss, the treatment that works best for you will be unique. Always consult a certified and qualified dermatologist to determine the best treatment plan for your needs.
Treatments for alopecia come in several forms. Topical medications include ointments containing minoxidil (Rogaine). Steroid injections can reinforce hair follicle health, leading to longer-lasting hair growth. Oral treatments, like finasteride (Propecia), are pills.
Some multiple procedures or surgeries can help you address your hair loss. Hair transplant surgery involves moving small sections of skin with healthy hair follicles into areas that lack them. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, a newer development, injects vitamin-rich plasma derived from your blood into areas of need, giving them a boost toward proper hair follicle health.
Clarity Dermatology can help you address your hair loss needs
At Clarity Dermatology, we provide excellent dermatological care for every patient, striving to treat you with compassion and sensitivity. We offer topical and oral treatments for hair loss and PRP therapy to give your skin the rejuvenation it needs.
If you need treatment for hair loss, please contact us and set up an appointment with our team. We look forward to helping you make your appearance healthy, sustainable, and suitable for your needs.
Dr. Hannah Pederson, MD
Hannah Pederson, MD, is a board-certified Dermatologist passionate about all areas of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. She attended the Colorado School of Mines and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering. She attended the University of Colorado School of Medicine for medical school and completed her dermatology residency at Baylor Scott and White Health in Temple, Texas.Dr. Pederson is passionate about skin cancer prevention and has volunteered with the Colorado Skin Cancer Task Force. She had also received a grant from the Melanoma Research Foundation.
Dr. J. Daniel Jensen, MD
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J. Daniel Jensen, MD is fellowship-trained in Mohs Micrographic Surgery and cosmetic dermatology. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and specializes in vein disease treatment.
Dr. Jensen attended Brigham Young University where he studied Biochemistry and Portuguese and graduated with University Honors before attending the University of Colorado for medical school. After medical school, he completed his dermatology residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Jensen was then selected for a prestigious one-year fellowship in Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology at Scripps Clinic in San Diego, California.
He has participated in numerous clinical trials, published many articles, book chapters, and research abstracts/posters, and presented his research at national and international meetings. Dr. Jensen has also served as past President of the Colorado Dermatologic Society.
Dr. Tracy Haines, MD
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Tracy Haines, MD graduated from the University of Austin, Texas with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and completed medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. She completed her dermatology residency at Wayne State University, Michigan, and then moved to Colorado to work as a dermatologist. Dr. Haines is board-certified with the American Board of Dermatology and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and Colorado Dermatologic Society.
Dr. Haines is also a talented artist, and displays her art at our DTC location. All three are board-certified dermatologists committed to integrity, teamwork, and compassionate and individualized care for every patient.
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