Why is it that hair seems so hard to hold on to for some of us? When your goal is a thick, lustrous head of hair but the mirror reflects thinning and bald spots, you may find yourself consistently reaching for a ball cap. Unfortunately, you can’t always wear a hat–but with help from Draper Dermatology, you won’t always feel the need to. We have treatments, preventions, and solutions for your thinning hair or hair loss.
Hair is constantly in a growth cycle, so losing up to 50-100 strands a day is normal. Noticeable hair loss can also occur after illness, major life changes, or childbirth. However, for many people, hair loss is more permanent. We're here to help you understand the types of medical hair loss, treatment options, prevention tactics, and aesthetic solutions.
Determining the type of hair loss and its cause is key to treating the problem. There are 6 main types of hair loss:
● Androgenetic Alopecia (Male/Female Pattern Baldness): The most common form of hair loss, caused by genetics and hormonal changes.● Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune condition causing patchy hair loss.● Telogen Effluvium: Temporary hair shedding due to stress, illness, or hormonal changes.● Traction Alopecia: Hair loss caused by constant pulling or tension on hair follicles (e.g., tight hairstyles).● Scarring Alopecia: Hair loss due to inflammatory skin conditions that damage hair follicles, leading to permanent loss.● Trichotillomania: Hair loss from compulsive hair-pulling.
The types of hair loss are caused by five main factors:
● Genetics: A significant factor in pattern baldness.● Hormonal Changes: Pregnancy, menopause, thyroid disorders, and birth control can contribute to hair loss.● Medical Conditions: Scalp infections, autoimmune diseases, nutritional deficiencies, and stress.● Medications: Chemotherapy, blood thinners, and other medications can cause hair loss.● Lifestyle Factors: Stress, poor diet, and hair care practices.
If you're wondering whether it's time to see a dermatologist, it probably is. Whether you’re noticing early hair loss and want to set up preventative care, or you’ve been dealing with it for years and are ready for more aggressive treatment, we are here to provide solutions.
Hair loss prevention and treatment involve options like:
● Topical Treatments: Over-the-counter and prescription hair care products and topical creams can promote hair growth or treat the inflammatory conditions that prevent growth.
● Oral Medications: Autoimmune-related hair loss may be treated with oral corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs, while genetic hair loss is often managed with Finasteride.
● Lifestyle Adjustments: We can offer recommendations on stress reduction, proper hair care, and nutritional support.
Once your condition is managed with medications and lifestyle changes, we offer targeted procedures to encourage hair growth or cosmetically address hair loss.
If you have been struggling to treat a frustrating rash, you don’t need to keep up the guessing game. With a proper diagnosis, we can offer:
Injections of your own blood plasma to stimulate hair growth.
Low-level laser treatment (LLLT) to promote hair growth.
Surgical procedure to move hair follicles from one part of the scalp to thinning or bald areas.
Cosmetic procedure to create the illusion of hair density.
Hair is a huge part of our identity and how we believe others see us. Facing hair loss can take an emotional toll. At Draper Dermatology, our goal is to help you make the best first impression and feel confident in how you present yourself. We offer emotional support alongside physical treatments at our South Jordan and Evanston Locations.