What is hair loss?

Hair loss, also called alopecia, occurs when there’s a change in your hair’s normal growth cycle. It can affect hair growth anywhere on the body but most often occurs on the scalp.

Hair growth occurs in phases:

Anagen phase

During the anagen phase, your hair is actively growing. This phase usually lasts years.

Catagen phase

At the catagen phase, your hair stops growing and separates from the hair follicle. This phase lasts about 10 days.

Telogen phase

During the telogen phase, which lasts up to three months, the follicle rests and the hair falls out. The anagen phase follows the telogen phase.

If there’s a change in any phase of the hair growth cycle, you may lose too much hair or it may not resume growth.

What are some of the types of hair loss?

Hair loss may occur from any number of causes, including genetics, hormones, and hairstyles. Some of the common types of hair loss include:

Androgenetic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia is a genetic type of hair loss that affects men and women. It’s also called male- or female-patterned baldness.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss when your immune system attacks and destroys the hair follicles.

Anagen effluvium

Anagen effluvium is hair loss from a medical treatment, such as chemotherapy for cancer. We do a lot of skin cancer testing at our facility. We have seen how this can contribute to hair loss and stress.

Traction alopecia

Traction alopecia is hair loss related to your hairstyle. Certain hairstyles like braids, dreadlocks and cornrows can cause this type of alopecia.

When should I seek dermatology help for hair loss?

Seek help from the experts at kalon Dermatology in Brooklyn and Staten Island if you have noticeable hair loss that’s affecting how you look and feel. Early treatment for hair loss may improve your response to treatment.

Your provider asks detailed questions about your hair loss, as well as your medical and family history. They also examine your skin and scalp and may run lab work to determine the cause of your hair loss.

What are the treatments for hair loss?

Your provider at kalon Dermatology customizes your hair loss treatment plan based on the cause. Your plan may include:

• Minoxidil (shampoo that stimulates hair growth)
• Photochemotherapy
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Change in hairstyle or hair products
• Multivitamin supplements

Your provider at kalon Dermatology may also talk to you about alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and aromatherapy, which treat some types of hair loss.

kalon Dermatology specializes in hair loss for Brooklyn and Staten Island patients and can develop a plan to restore hair growth and thickness. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.