Hair Disorders in Boston, MA

Hair is one of the first parts of a person to make an impression on another. It's oftentimes something that men and women spend a lot of time caring for and treating. Hair disorders can wreak havoc on a person's self-esteem and overall image. Some common hair disorders are androgenic alopecia, alopecia area, female pattern hair loss, and telogen effluvium. At Skin Center Boston, we help Boston, Wellesley, Natick, and surrounding area men and women face their hair disorders head-on and provide treatment and care options for slowing down and/or eliminating hair loss. Skilled dermatologist Dr. Vladyslava Doktor is trained to work with men and women who are facing hair loss and help them gain back their confidence and style.

The cause of hair disorders can differ, depending on the type of hair loss a person is experiencing. At Skin Center Boston, dermatologist Dr. Vladyslava Doktor and her team can help men and women in the Boston, MA area determine why they are losing their hair and help them find a solution.

Androgenetic alopecia is one of the more common forms of hair loss, and it creates the receding hairline that forms an "M" shape on the head. This hair loss is typically caused by genetics and a lower level of the hormone androgen.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own hair follicles, causing hair loss anywhere on the body. This is usually seen in people who have a relative with the disease, as well as those with asthma, hay fever, atopic dermatitis, thyroid disease, vitiligo, Down syndrome, or those that have been treating cancer with nivolumab.

Female hair loss is a type of hair loss experienced by one-third of women. Women will commonly experience hair loss at their part, then lose from the top down. Medical conditions, medications, and physical or emotional stress are common links to female hair loss.

Telogen effluvium is defined by periods of hair loss for six months or more, usually seen in extra breakage or shedding when brushing or washing the hair. Common causes for this are excessive stress, poor diet, weight loss, pregnancy or birth, menopause, certain medications, surgery, metal toxicity, or underlying health conditions, like an autoimmune disease or thyroid issues.

If you notice your hair thinning, patches of less hair, or a receding hairline, contact dermatologist Dr. Vladyslava Doktor. Our team at Skin Center Boston can diagnose and treat hair loss in men and women in Boston, Natick, Dover, and surrounding areas. Don't stress over hair loss – gain your confidence back and a full head of hair.

The way hair loss appears on a person depends on what type of hair disorder they have. Men that have androgenetic alopecia typically will have a receding hairline that gives the signature "M" look that many men have. In women, this is typically identified as a thinning of the hair all over the head but rarely will they experience a receding hairline or baldness. Those who have patches of hair loss on their scalp, or even beard, may have alopecia areata. This can also be identified by a strip of missing hair, often along the ears. Some people may even notice that their nails become reddish in color or become brittle. Female hair loss is typically noticed when hair begins to come out near the part, then will start thinning from the top down. Telogen effluvium is when a person has hair shedding for six months or more. Signs of this are excessive hair coming out during showering or brushing.

Depending on the type of hair loss, dermatologist Dr. Vladyslava Doktor is able to form a treatment plan to help reduce or stop hair loss in men and women. Telogen effluvium can usually be treated by addressing nutritional deficiencies, hormone replacement therapy, or nonsurgical hair replacement. Female hair loss is most typically treated with prescribed medication, like anti-androgens or minoxidil, along with iron supplements. For those with alopecia areata, a few different approaches can be used, depending on the patient's age and amount of hair loss, as well as where. Some common recommendations are corticosteroid injections, a prescription medication, or a topical cream. If the hair loss has been happening for less than a year, Dr. Doktor may suggest waiting to see if it stops on its own. Some options for treating androgenetic alopecia include prescribed medications, laser therapy, or microneedling. Whichever version of hair loss a person has, Skin Center Boston in Boston, MA can help them determine a treatment plan that will fit into their lifestyle.