Hair Loss FAQ's

 

What causes female hair loss?
Hair loss in women can be caused by many reasons including hormonal issues, unknown disease, menopause, child birth, birth control medications, thyroid disease, poor nutrition, improper diets, cancer and infection.

How common is hair loss in women, can it affect my health?
Women make up 40% of all hair loss sufferers. Hair loss can be very devastating to a woman’s self image and emotional well being. The psychological damage caused by hair loss and feeling unattractive can be just as devastating as any serious disease and in fact, can take an emotional toll that directly affects one's physical health.

Why should I be concerned?
Hair loss in women can be an early indication for an underlying unknown health condition such as stress, anxiety, pregnancy issues, menopause, polycystic ovarian syndrome, traction, poor nutrition, autoimmune disease, anemia, dietary issues, cancer , lupus, diabetes, and hormonal issues to name a few.

What should I do first if I notice any hair loss?
The No. 1 rule for treating women with hair loss is getting an accurate and correct diagnosis. A woman needs to make certain there are no underlying medical conditions which can be easily determined with the proper testing.

What does it mean if I start experiencing sudden hair loss?
Sudden hair loss can signal an underlying medical condition, illness, or disease and proper testing should be performed; this hair loss usually stops once the health issue is treated or cured.

At what point should I begin testing if I am experiencing hair loss?
As soon as you notice sudden or patchy hair loss or more than usual hair loss on your clothes, on your pillow, or when washing or combing your hair.

Why is it important to find health issues early?
The earlier you find a potential health issue the easier it is to treat that issue and the higher the chance of a complete recovery.  Sometimes it is just a lifestyle change or basic medication, and if left untreated, could turn out to become a very serious and risky treatment or even surgery.

Can you have a serious health issue without any obvious signs or symptoms?
Yes. Serious health issues can start years before any obvious signs or symptoms occur that would warrant your doctor requesting any specialized testing. Usually the longer the issue goes unnoticed the harder it is to cure.

I would get tested but I would rather not know I have an illness.
If you have an illness, not knowing won’t help anything and could possibly only make it much worse.  It has been proven by many medical studies that the earlier you find something that is wrong, the easier it is to treat it and the higher the chance of success, sometimes with just a simple lifestyle change or medication.

What are some of the different tests that can be done to help determine hair loss?        
There are a number of tests that can be performed: blood tests, screening tests for related diseases, microscopic hair exam, pull test, skin scraping, and punch biopsy.

I have heard that medications can cause hair loss, is that true?
Yes. There are many medications both over the counter and prescribed by your doctor that can cause hair loss.

If these tests are available why doesn’t my doctor order them for me?
Your doctor can, however, most hair loss is considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance.  The normal cost for these tests ordered by your doctor is over $2,000.00 which is out of financial reach for most people.

How can you offer testing at such a deep price discount?
Our company has been designed and structured to provide the cost effective medical testing available for procedures that are not usually covered by insurance or for uninsured individuals.

If a health issue is found can I get reimbursed by my insurance company for this test?
It is determined by your specific insurance company after you provide the testing invoice and diagnosis code.

Is the testing as good as the testing I get at my doctors office?
Yes, the tests are performed by the exact same laboratories that process the tests for doctors.

What happens if you find an unknown health issue?
Our medical staff will refer you to your primary physician or a specialist and at that point all future medical expenses are usually covered by insurance.

What happens if you find issues related to my hair loss?
After we review the results and determine the probable cause of your hair loss we will recommend several options that you can choose from to resolve the issue.

Do I get a copy of my results?
Yes. We also offer secured web based medical document storage so that you have access to your records when you need them.

If I have a question can I speak with someone?
Absolutely. If there is a result out of range, you will be contacted by a doctor or nurse after review.  If you have additional questions, you can contact the nurse again or schedule a time to speak with one of the doctors.

How often should I get tested?
We recommend that tests be done once a year for people over 40 or people who have experienced any premature hair loss, however your body chemistry can change in as little as 30 days.  People with medical issues should be tested as determined by their primary physician.

What’s the best hair loss treatment?
Since there are multiple factors in hair loss, it is best to try to determine the exact reason you’re losing your hair before spending money on products or procedures that might not work for your specific issue.

Can hair loss be caused by improper care of my hair?
Yes. Traction alopecia can occur if you wear tight pigtails, cornrows, or tight rollers. The pulling on your hair can cause hair loss. Traction alopecia can even cause scaring of the scalp and permanent hair loss.

What is DHT?
DHT is produced when an enzyme that occurs naturally in your body called 5alpha-reductase converts the male hormone testosterone into another hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

How long does hair grow?
The normal cycle of hair growth lasts for 2 to 6 years. Each hair grows approximately 1 centimeter (less than half an inch) per month.

Should women use Finasteride?
Finasteride is not recommended for women especially of child bearing years.

What is the concern about Finasteride and pregnancy?
Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use or handle finasteride because it may cause abnormalities of the male baby’s organs.

Does the human body keep generating new follicles throughout life?
By week 22, a developing fetus has all its hair follicles formed (about 5 million). Of that, 100,000 are on the scalp. We do not generate new hair follicles anytime during the course of our lives. This is the largest number of hair follicles a human will ever have. The density of scalp hair is reduced as we grow from childhood to adulthood. The reason is our scalps expand as we grow.

What is Tricotillomania?
Tricotillomania (hair pulling disorder) is a type of mental illness in which people have an irresistible urge to pull out their hair. The cause of tricotillomania is still being researched and no specific cause has yet been found.

Do oral contraceptives cause hair loss?
Yes. Oral contraceptives are a common trigger of hair loss for many women. Millions of women are prescribed the pill each year in this country.

Can hair loss occur in teenagers?
Hair loss can occur as early as 15, although it typically begins anywhere from 20’s and early 30’s.

Can children experience hair loss?
Hair loss can occur in children as young as one year of age. Currently, children’s hair loss is responsible for 3% of all pediatric office visits. Alopecia areata and telogen effluvium are two other forms of temporary hair loss that can occur in children as young as age one.

What is one of the most common causes of hair loss in children?
Tinea Capitis, more commonly known as ring worm of the scalp, is the most common cause of hair loss in children. Ring worm is an infection of the skin known as a parasitic fungus.

Myth:  Androgenetic Alopecia can be cured.
Myth:  Hair loss does not affect young people.
Myth:  Stress causes permanent hair loss.
Myth:  Dandruff causes permanent hair loss.
Myth:  100 strokes of the hair brush daily will create healthier hair.
Myth:  Shaving your hair can make your hair grow faster or thicker.
Myth:  Cutting your hair will make it grow faster.
Myth:  Standing on your head cures hair loss.
Myth:  Ring worm is caused by a worm.
Myth:  Frequent shampooing contributes to hair loss.
Myth:  Hair loss is inherited only from your mother’s side of the family.
Myth:  Wearing a hat causes hair loss.