[PDF] Hair Loss & Hair Restoration - PatientPopcom

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Dermatology Patient Education

Hair Loss & Hair Restoration

When your hair starts to thin or fall out, it can be troubling. If you a re experiencing hair loss, a dermatologist can help determine what type of hair loss you have and provide you with treatment options.

WHAT IS TYPICAL HAIR GROWTH?

When your hair grows normally, the following happens: •

About 90 percent of your hair is growing at any one time. This growth phase lasts between two and si

x years. •

Ten percent of your hair is in a resting (telogen) phase. This phase lasts two to three months. At t

he end of this phase, the hair falls out. •

When you shed a hair, a new hair from the same hair follicle (structure that contains the hair roo

t) replaces it. This starts the growing cycle again. • It is normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day, and this is no cause for alarm. • The hair on your head grows approximately one-half inch per month. As you age, the rate of hair gro wth slows. WHAT ARE COMMON CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS AND THEIR TREATMENTS?

Hair loss can have many causes.

Hereditary Hair loss

This is the most common cause of hair loss. It is also known as male-pa ttern baldness, female pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia. You can inherit the baldness trait from either your mother's or father's side of the family. Hereditary hair loss can start in your teens, 20s or 30s or later, especially in women (after menopause). Men may see a receding hairline and bald patches, especially on top of t heir head. Women may see thinning hair and a wider part when they style their hair, but do not become fully bald. While there is no cure for hereditary hair loss, medical treatments may help some people. •

Minoxidil: Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hair loss in both men and women.

This topical treatment is available both over-the-counter and by prescri ption. •

Finasteride: An FDA-approved oral prescription for men only. Androgenetic Alopecia: Male (L) and Female (R)Downloaded From: https://patiented.pointofcare.aad.org/pdfaccess.ashx?url=/data/gboscontainer/130/ by Dwana Shabazz on 05/01/2017

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In addition, the FDA has approved laser brushes, combs and other hand-he ld devices that emit laser light for the ȴ

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