When you start experiencing hair fall, it is advised to visit a dermatologist to find an effective treatment. The doctor will make a diagnosis of your condition. Dermatologists have in-depth knowledge about the causes of hair loss, and they tend to provide a suitable treatment.

What to Expect from the Hair Doctor/Dermatologist?

During your consultation, the dermatologist will carry out the diagnosis by gathering the following information:

• They will ask questions related to your hair loss, such as the time from when you have been experiencing hair loss.

• They will examine your scalp, nails, and other areas with hair loss. This examination gives clues about any underlying health condition or nutrient deficiency.

• They will also test the health of your hair by pulling it. This step helps them check if your hair is weak or prone to breaking.

If the cause of your hair loss turns out to be a disease, hormone imbalance, vitamin deficiency, or infection, you may require a blood test or scalp biopsy. After finding the root cause, the treatment of hair loss will begin.

How Can a Hair Doctor Help to Overcome Hair Loss?

Depending on the cause and other factors, the dermatologist will perform one of the following procedures to treat hair loss.

Corticosteroids Injections

The dermatologist injects corticosteroids into the bald and thinning areas of your scalp to help hair regrow. The injections are given every 4-8 weeks. It is the most effective treatment for people who have a few patches of alopecia areata. In some patients, the treatment may last for up to 12 weeks. The dermatologist will decide whether you need a follow-up treatment or not.

Hair Transplant

Hair transplant is a suitable option for those who have an area of balding or thinning due to male or female pattern baldness. It is effective as a permanent solution and may cost a little more than other procedures. You may need more than one session of hair transplant to complete the process. There may be a few side effects of this procedure. However, they subside after some time.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is an approach used when medicines for hair loss do not work in your favour. The doctor may use a low-level laser and inject it all over your scalp to promote hair growth. Laser therapy helps to address hereditary hair loss, alopecia areata, hair loss due to chemotherapy, etc. It also stimulates healing and hair growth after a hair transplant. Laser therapy for hair loss is a painless session.

Platelet-Rich Plasma

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is another safe and effective approach for the treatment of hair loss. The procedure involves drawing a small amount of blood, placing it into the machine, and separating it into three parts. The doctor then takes the plasma and injects it into your scalp to promote hair growth.

This procedure takes 15-20 minutes to complete and doesn’t have any downtime. You may need to visit the clinic more than once. The duration of this treatment is 3-6 months, depending on the severity of your hair loss.

Medication

The dermatologist will prescribe you medicines if the cause of your hair loss is any underlying condition. If any medication is leading to hair loss, you may have to stop it for a few months. Most medicines for hair loss are used to treat pattern baldness.
 

• Minoxidil
  Minoxidil, or Rogaine, is an over-the-counter medicine that comes in the form of liquid, foam, or shampoo. It is applied on the skin of the scalp. As per many studies, it may help people regrow their hair. However, one has to be very patient with this treatment as hair regrowth in the case of minoxidil happens slowly. The doctor may want you to continue medication even after your hair has started growing.
   

• Finasteride
  It is a prescription drug prescribed mostly to men in the form of a pill. Many men taking this medication experience a slowing of their hair loss. Some people even show desired hair growth. It takes a few months to tell whether the treatment is working for you or not. It is important to keep taking this medicine in the long term to retain its benefits. This medicine has some side effects, including diminished sex drive and an increased risk of prostate cancer.
   

• Other Medication
  In addition to the above-listed medicines, the doctor may prescribe other medications, including spironolactone and oral dutasteride.

Takeaway

Hair loss is a common problem, and so are its treatments. Visit your nearest qualified dermatologist and discuss your concerns. Let them decide the best treatment for you.