Hair loss affects over 50 million men and 30 million women in the US alone. This is commonly a stressful and emotional experience for those that are going through it. We are fortunate that there are effective treatments for hair restoration. Some are targeted for temporary hair re-growth while some can slow down the progression of hair loss.
Whether you’re young or old, male or female, have thinning hair or thick hair; there are important facts about hair loss that everyone should know.
Some hair loss treatment solutions in Washington DC can help slow down the loss of hair, and some can help regrow some hairs with continued and diligent application of the treatment.
Determining the cause of your hair loss is of the utmost importance. Hair loss caused by medical conditions can be reversed once the medical condition is treated. Stress can also be a contributing factor that can lead to temporary hair loss. Below are some frequent causes of hair loss that Dr. Somenek looks for during your consultation to determine the best treatment plan tailored for you.
Although many think hair loss is strictly a male disease, women actually make up 40% of hair loss sufferers.
This is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women. Genes play a large role in this disease, and it can be passed on from either the mother or the father, and can start as early as the late teens. Unlike males, who will lose hair in the crown of their hair or on the top of the scalp, female pattern baldness is characterized by widespread thinning on the scalp. The first sign of hair loss is often widening of the part or the ponytail becoming smaller. The hair loss is characterized by the decreasing size of the hair follicles, where the hair follicles produce shorter, thinner, more brittle hairs, and can eventually stop producing any hair.
When hair follicles in the anagen (growing) phase or catagen (resting) phase abnormally transition to the shedding (telogen) phase, it is known as telogen effluvium, and can cause sudden hair loss in men and women. It is usually brought on by a stressful event, and can incite handfuls of hair to fall out at a time. The good news is that recovery is almost always possible with this type of hair loss.
This condition is caused by tight hairstyles that pull at hair over time and cause damage to the hair follicles. If the condition is detected early enough, the hair will grow back successfully. Braiding, cornrows, tight ponytails, extensions and weaves are the most common hairstyles that can contribute to traction alopecia.
This is an autoimmune skin disease that results in hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. At this time, there is not a known cure for the disease, as doctors are not sure what causes the immune system to mistakenly attack hair follicles. Hair regrowth is possible though, it is just unpredictable as to when and where the hair regrowth will begin. About 2% of the population will suffer from alopecia areata at some time in their lives.
One of the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency is hair loss. Lack of exposure to the sun’s rays almost guarantees you to become vitamin deficient. However, if you live in a climate where the weather is cold and rainy, then you can supplement your vitamin D intake with a supplement.
Deficiencies of the amino acid lysine, zinc, and copper may also be causes.
In addition to androgenetic alopecia caused by excessive DHT, there are other hormonal issues that can cause hair loss. The thyroid can play a key role in the hair growth cycle. If the gland is producing too much or not enough of the thyroid hormone, then the hair growth cycle may change.
Sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS) is found in many shampoos. Many are not aware but it has been shown to corrode hair follicles and impede hair growth. Luckily there are many options for shampoos made from natural ingredients which do not contain SLS.
Dr. Somenek believes in using combination treatments to encourage new hair growth and prevent continued loss of hair follicles. After a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause of your hair loss, he will recommend a treatment plan that is tailored for your individual needs. Dr. Somenek combines multiple treatments in each local hair restoration session to maximize the chances of hair growth, all of which is explained below:
Supplements: Not all supplements are created equal. Because hair loss is a multi-factorial problem, Dr. Somenek chooses supplements that are biologically active and have the innate capacity to synergistically work together and encourage follicular stimulation. This also means that men and women should be treated differently when given supplements. Dr. Somenek will discuss this with you during your consultation.
Platelet Rich Plasma for Hair Loss: PRP therapy for hair loss is a treatment that involves withdrawing a patient’s own blood, processing it so that only the enriched cells (platelet-rich plasma) remain, and injecting it into the scalp. PRP contains essential proteins that stimulate natural hair growth. Click here for more information.
Topical treatments: Certain topicals such as minoxidil can improve the circulation to the hair follicles and encourage new hair growth.
KerafactorTM is a high concentration topical treatment that delivers growth factors and skin proteins that help promote stronger, smoother, thicker, and fuller looking hair. Dr. Somenek combines this with superficial microneedling to allow penetration of the essential growth factors into the scalp.
Dr. Somenek also uses several topical shampoo formulations that are designed to address certain types of hair loss. There are those that have general thinning of the hair versus others that are undergoing acute, dramatic shedding of their hair. Two different compounded blends of shampoo are available for each respective cause of hair loss. Depending on the condition being treated, Dr. Somenek may prescribe this to you as well.
Other treatment options may be available depending on the type of hair loss that you are experiencing.
If you are experiencing hair loss and would like to explore options for hair restoration in Washington DC, please call to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael Somenek.
Somenek + Pittman MD
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