The Sunday night “scaries.” Work dinner gathering required. Visit the DMV. Few things are worse than dread. Most dreaded moment? Your hair is falling off.
Dr. Mary Alice Mina, a double-board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia, and host of THE SKIN REAL podcast, discussed hair loss reasons and ways to relieve anxiety.
Mina says hair loss may be caused by several conditions, thus the cause is unclear. Everyone with hair loss should consider them, she advises. “Your dermatologist should examine you in person to diagnose hair loss or breakage.
Mina recommends taking a complete medical history, including current medicines and any major stresses in the preceding six months such a newborn, divorce, new job, move, etc.
Identifying the kind of hair loss is crucial. Mina underlines that “some hair loss is non-scarring, meaning it will come back, but some is scarring and must be treated quickly to maintain as much hair as possible.”
Hair loss may be indicated by extra hair on your brush or pillow. Or you may be shedding more. The American Academy of Dermatology Association underlines the distinction.
Anti-hair-growth conditions differ. Causes of anagen effluvium include:
To properly cure hair loss, you need consult a doctor who can diagnose it.
Mina: Hair loss therapy depends on the reason. A hair pull test may be needed to examine hair follicles instead of a biopsy or blood test.