The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that more than 75 million Americans suffer from hair loss. Because many Americans are affected, the organization has dedicated August as National Hair Loss Awareness Month. During the month, dermatologists and medical professionals take their time to educate people dealing with hair loss about its potential causes, treatments, and preventions. Martin Maag M.D. is a hair loss specialist offering hair transplants and hair loss consultations, which you may require if you are one of the millions requiring hair loss diagnosis and treatment.
For instance, during a hair loss consultation, the doctor will review your health history and examine and test areas affected by hair loss, including your scalp.
Then there will be a discussion about your desired hair restoration outcome, which will inform the treatment plan your doctor develops. Your doctor can medically manage hair loss through hair transplantation, regenerative medicine, and medications.
Consequently, below are common types of hair loss that may affect you.
1. Androgenic hair loss
Androgenetic alopecia involves the actions of androgens, a group of sex hormones necessary for normal male sexual development and regulating various functions, including hair growth and sex drive.
Androgenic hair loss is common in men and women. In men, the condition is often referred to as male-pattern baldness, affecting the top and front of the scalp. The hair loss usually starts above the temples, and the receding hairline forms an “M” shape.
Also, the hair at the top of your head becomes thinner as you become balder.
2. Telogen effluvium
Often, your hair will grow for a few years, rest for a few months, shed, and then regrow. Telogen is the resting stage of the hair growth cycle. The scalp disorder is characterized by excessive falling out of hair after a stressful experience or traumatic event, and there is no new hair growth.
Acute or chronic hair loss often occurs months after you have experienced severe stress or body change, possibly due to drugs, trauma, thyroid imbalance, or emotional and physiological stress. Moreover, you may have telogen effluvium if your body lacks sufficient levels of particular minerals or vitamins, such as iron.
If hair regrowth has yet to occur for more than six months, you will need to seek treatment.
3. Alopecia areata
Commonly referred to as patchy hair loss, alopecia areata is a sudden hair loss caused by an autoimmune disorder that results in one or more circular or oval bald patches. The bald patches may overlap.
When you have alopecia areata, your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles, causing hair loss. Therefore, you are at risk of alopecia areata when you have an autoimmune disease such as vitiligo, thyroid disease, or psoriasis.
4. Cicatricial alopecia
Also called scarring alopecia, cicatricial alopecia is a hair loss that results from an inflammatory condition that attacks and destroys hair follicles. As a result, you will have a formation of scar tissues, which causes permanent loss of hair.
Besides hair falling out at once, expect itching, inflammation, or red spots on the scalp.
Contact Honest Hair Restoration today to schedule an appointment with a hair loss specialist and learn more about hair restoration solutions.