Beyond the Roots

Genetics

Hereditary hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia, is hair loss caused by genetics or hormonal imbalance that affect androgen hormones (typically testosterone). Anyone can experience hereditary hair loss, both men and women in any age group, but it typically affects males and is more commonly called male pattern baldness.

In males, hair starts thinning near the top of the head and forms a receding hairline (creating an "M" shape). Eventually, they can go completely bald. In females, the hair becomes thin all over without a receding hairline. 

There is no cure for hereditary hair loss, but stem cell derived treatments offered by Hair Doctors of America most likely can help slow down hair loss and naturally encourage regrowth of hair.

Age

Hair naturally starts to thin, and growth begins to slow as you age. Age-related hair loss differs from hair loss caused by an increase in androgens because hormones do not influence it. Instead, aging causes your hair follicles to stop growing hair eventually. Going gray also changes the structure of your hair as it loses pigment that gives you hair color. The result is graying hair that eventually turns into fine, white hair. 

Age-related hair loss is inevitable, but if you catch hair loss as it starts, treatments offered at Hair Doctors of America can help slow the aging of the hair follicle and in many cases regrow hair to a thicker fullness associated with a youthful scalp.

Alopecia
Areata

Alopecia areata is a condition that causes the immune system to attack healthy hair follicles leading to hair falling out. Types of alopecia areata include:

• Patchy alopecia areata: The most common type where people lose small patches of hair on the scalp or body. Hair may grow back on its own, while others may need treatment. 

• Alopecia totalis: Complete or near-complete hair loss on the scalp.

• Alopecia universalis:  A rare type where people lose all of the hair on the scalp, face, and body. 

• Scarring alopecia: Complete destruction of the hair follicles that causes scarring. Hair cannot regrow.

Some people with alopecia may have hair that naturally grows back without treatment. In almost all cases, your client will respond to the treatments offered at Hair Doctors of America. In very severe cases your client might experience permanent hair loss. We just won’t know for sure until we have introduced enough medicated serum beneath the dermis layer to know how your clients follicles will respond, or not respond, to treatment. 

Cancer Treatments

Chemotherapy can damage hair follicles, causing the hair to fall out on the head and body. How much hair someone loses during chemo depends on the person and the drug used. Not everyone will lose their hair during treatment, while others may experience hair thinning or complete hair loss. Hair loss may affect the scalp, pubic hair, arm and leg hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes. The scalp may also become itchy and sore.

Radiation therapy can also cause hair loss by damaging the hair follicles. The radiation dose can determine how much hair is lost or how permanent the loss is. Typically, hair loss starts a few weeks after treatment. Hair usually begins to grow back a few months of ending chemotherapy and radiation treatments. However, regrowth depends on hair follicle damage.

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Hair Doctors of America is here to walk your client through their hair regrowth journey post cancer treatment. We will be there every step of the way. We also offer solutions to address the psychological impact of loss of facial hair. For those wanting to repair the brow shape with a natural aesthetic hair-like tattooing we employ and train permanent makeup artists to assist these clients in reclaiming the beauty they often feel cancer treatments rob from them. 

Stress

Stress can cause significant hair shedding, known as telogen effluvium. If your hair starts falling out months after a stressful situation, it is likely stress that's to blame. Life events that can cause hair shedding include:

• Giving birth

• Experiencing high-stress situations like a sick relative, divorce, or losing a job

• Having surgery

• Losing more than 20 pounds

• Recovering from illness (often with a high fever)

• Stopping hormonal contraceptives 

In almost all these cases, new hair regrowth is possible in just a few treatments at Hair Doctors of America. We proudly claim a 92% success rate in such cases. 

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that causes people to pull out their hair. People with hair-pulling disorder can damage the hair follicles and skin, causing hair loss. Trichotillomania is often a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety that becomes a habit. Children are more likely to have trichotillomania. 

Those with more severe trichotillomania may need help managing stress and undergo cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Treatments provided at a Hair Doctors of America clinic can greatly reduce the speed of hair loss and even capture follicles before they become overly scared and permanently damaged. Our treatment should be offered in addition to and not as a replacement for any psychological care needed. 

Hair Damage

Constantly pulling the hair into tight styles can lead to hair loss called traction alopecia. This is when tight braids or ponytails pull the hair out and damage the hair follicle. Continuously coloring, perming, chemically relaxing, or heat styling can also damage hair and lead to hair thinning or loss. Traction alopecia is permanent, but it can be prevented by avoiding hairstyles that pull at the hair.

Pregnancy &
Postpartum Changes

During pregnancy, people are more likely to have conditions that cause hair loss, like hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and iron-deficiency. Postpartum hormonal changes and stressors are more likely to cause hair to fall out. After giving birth, a drop in estrogen levels can cause hair to start excessively shedding. The stress and trauma of birth can also cause hair shedding. Postpartum hair loss is typically the most noticeable after the first trimester. 

Medically addressing the root conditions of postpartum hair loss in combination with stem cell derived treatments offered at Hair Doctor’s of America can help hair thickness to return to pre-pregnancy normalcy. We do not recommend starting hair rejuvenation treatments until after childbirth and breast feeding. 

Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalances related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and birth control can lead to hair loss. PCOS hair loss is caused by the ovaries overproducing extremely high levels of androgens, causing hair loss on the temples and front of the scalp. Conversely, this hormone change may also cause excessive hair growth on the face and chest. People with PCOS hair loss typically take the oral medication spironolactone to help regrowth. Hormonal birth control may also be prescribed to help lower testosterone levels that are causing hair loss. 

While not as common, people who stop taking birth control pills may experience temporary hormonal imbalances that thin hair. People going through menopause may also start to experience hair thinning as the body naturally drops estrogen levels. In all these scenarios the treatments offered by Hair Doctors of America can most often slow and/or reverse hair loss caused by hormonal imbalances. 

Thyroid
Disease

The thyroid gland in your neck makes hormones necessary to regulate breathing, heart rate, mood, and digestion. When the thyroid doesn't work correctly, it can cause hormonal imbalances that affect the entire body. People with thyroid disease may experience hair thinning, fine hair, and thinning eyebrows. Both hyperthyroidism (an over-active thyroid) and hypothyroidism (an under-active thyroid) can cause hair thinning. This hair loss is typically temporary, and treating thyroid dysfunction can help regrowth. Clients experiencing thyroid disease greatly benefit from microchannelling treatments offered by Hair Doctors of America.  Many find permanent makeup offerings on our menu can ease the psychological side effects of this disease. Permanent makeup aesthetically brings a hair-like look and a shapely appearance to the lost brows. 

STIs

STIs such as syphilis can cause someone to lose hair in patches on the scalp, eyebrows, and face. Treating syphilis with antibiotics should stop any additional hair loss. Hair should grow back on its own after syphilis is treated.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can also indirectly cause hair loss. People with HIV are more at risk of iron-deficiency anemia and malnutrition, which can lead to hair loss. We do not recommend our treatment plan to those who have the Human immunodeficiency virus, unless they have been referred by their primary treating practitioner by written prescription. 

Nutritional

The human body needs the right amount of vitamins and minerals to help healthy cells grow and function so that nutrient deficiencies do not lead to hair loss over time. Eating a nutritious diet can help your body replenish the nutrients needed to keep your hair and body healthy. There are many factors including Vitamin A deficiency that create unwanted hair loss. The more common nutrient deficiencies linked to hair loss include:

Biotin: A B vitamin that helps turn food into energy. Biotin is found in organ meats, eggs, fish, seeds, nuts, and sweet potatoes.

Iron:  A mineral that helps make hemoglobin to move oxygen in red blood cells and hormones. Iron is found in meat, seafood, poultry, lentils, spinach, kidney beans, nuts, and iron-fortified grains.

Protein: A nutrient that helps grow and repair cells. Protein sources include animal products like meat, milk, eggs, and fish. Plant sources include beans, soy, legumes, and quinoa. 

Zinc: A mineral that supports the immune system and helps make DNA and proteins. Zinc is found in oysters, meat, crab, lobsters, and zinc-fortified cereals.

Poison

Someone poisoned with arsenic, thallium, mercury, boric acid, and lithium can lose hair as a side effect. Ingesting large amounts of warfarin, an ingredient in rat poison, can also lead to hair loss. Taking toxic amounts of vitamin A and selenium can also lead to hair loss.

The only way to treat poison-induced hair loss is to diagnose what poison the client has been exposed to. A medical professional ordering blood draw for evaluation is the best way to determine the course of action. Hair typically regrows after someone stops poison exposure. 

Medications

Some medications may cause hair to fall out. Medications that may lead to hair loss and thinning include:

• Antidepressants

• Beta-blockers

• Blood-pressure drugs

• Blood thinners 

• Calcium channel blockers

• Lithium, a mood stabilizer

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen

• Retinoids, to treat skin conditions

If your client is taking a new medication and notices their hair is falling out or thinning, encourage him or her to reach out to their prescribing healthcare practitioner. These clients most likely will also benefit greatly from treatment sessions offered by Hair Doctors of America. We encourage you to have them call to schedule a free consultation.