Hair loss is also known as alopecia. There are many different types of hair loss, which differ based on the cause and appearance. The causes of hair loss may be due to disorders of hair growth, inflammatory conditions that damage hair follicles, inherited or acquired abnormalities in hair shafts, medications, or hormonal effects. The types of hair loss are divided into two main categories, scarring alopecia and non-scarring alopecia. Scarring forms of alopecia can lead to permanent hair loss. The most common types of hair loss are:

• Male pattern hair loss

• Female pattern hair loss

• Alopecia areata

• Telogen effluvium

• Tinea capitis (fungus)

• Central centrifugal cicatricial  alopecia (CCCA)

• Traction alopecia

• Dissecting cellulitis

• Lichen planopilaris

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It is important to have your hair loss evaluated and appropriately diagnosed as the treatments differ with each type of hair loss.

Dermatologist are experts in hair loss and diseases of the scalp. It is important to have your scalp evaluated by a board certified dermatologist, who understands the underlying cause and type of hair loss. Treatments for different for each type of hair loss and it should be customized to your scalp needs. Please note, some insurance plans do not cover hair loss. Treatments that our physicians and providers offer include

• Professional cosmeceuticals and vitamins (Nutrafol)

• Topical medications and customized compounded prescriptions

• Oral hormone blockers (finasteride, dutasteride, spironoloactone: male and female pattern hair loss)

• Oral minodixil

• Steroid injections (scarring hair loss)

• Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections (see below)

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PRP is a relatively new treatment for hair loss, which uses your own blood to stimulate hair growth. The process involves separating and concentrating the platelets and plasma from your red blood cells. This platelet rich plasma is then injected back into the scalp to release growth factors. PRP is not a cure for conditions that cause hair loss. For this reason, a person would need to receive multiple PRP treatments over time to maintain hair growth results.