Hair Loss Specialist
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Integrated Dermatology of Newton-Brighton
Dermatology located in Brighton, MA, Mashpee, MA & Needham, MA
While it's natural to lose up to 100 hairs a day, noticeable bald spots might be a sign of an underlying condition. At Integrated Dermatology of Newton-Brighton, with offices in Needham, Mashpee, and Brighton, Massachusetts, Mark Amster, MD, and the team offer diagnostic testing, including scalp biopsies, to identify what’s causing your hair loss. You can receive a customized treatment plan to stimulate new hair growth and prevent further hair loss. To find out more about the available treatment options for hair loss, book an appointment online or call the Integrated Dermatology of Newton-Brighton office nearest you today.
Hair Loss Q & A
What causes hair loss?
Hair loss can be the result of several factors, including age. As you get older, your hair follicles might stop growing, causing your hair to thin out. Aging can also cause the hairline to gradually recede.
Other causes of hair loss include:
Heredity
Women and men can begin losing hair because of their genetic background. If you have genes that cause your hair follicles to shrink, you might begin progressively losing hair, even as early as your teens.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition where skin cells multiply too quickly and cause scaly, bumpy patches to form. If you have psoriasis on your scalp, it can interfere with hair growth.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a disease that causes your immune system to attack your hair follicles. This condition can cause loss of hair anywhere on your body, including your scalp and your eyelashes.
Hormone imbalance
A hormone imbalance can cause thinning or lost hair. Many women experience increased hair loss during pregnancy and menopause when their hormone levels are imbalanced or due to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
If your hair sustains damage from styling products or frequent coloring, you might also notice significant thinning, breakage, or loss of your hair.
How is hair loss diagnosed?
Integrated Dermatology of Newton-Brighton evaluates the condition of your hair to determine the underlying cause of loss.
If your provider suspects that you have a hormone imbalance or an infection, they can order blood work. They may also perform a scalp biopsy by taking a sample of tissue from your scalp for testing at a medical lab.
Once they understand what’s causing your hair loss, your provider customizes a treatment plan to stimulate new hair growth.
How is hair loss treated?
To stimulate the growth of new hair and prevent further hair loss, Integrated Dermatology of Newton-Brighton can prescribe medications:
Topical medications
Topical medications like minoxidil that you apply directly to your scalp can stimulate new hair growth and prevent additional hair loss.
Oral medications
There are oral medications like finasteride that you can take to slow the progression of hair loss and stimulate new hair growth.
Hormone therapy
If you have a hormone imbalance, you might benefit from supplemental hormones to address thinning hair and prevent additional hair loss.
You might also need to make changes to your hair care routine to prevent damage to your hair follicles and take supplements like biotin and vitamin A to improve the overall health of your hair.
If you’re concerned about thinning hair or bald patches on your scalp, call the office of Integrated Dermatology of Newton-Brighton nearest you today or book a consultation online.