Hair Loss

An important precursor to your Gainesville hair treatment is to fully understand hair loss. As a common concern for men and women, the onset of hair loss is often the result of hormonal fluctuations, medical conditions, and genetics. While baldness and hair loss more commonly affects males, females experience these conditions as well.

Every hair on your head is in a stage of growth as each hair follicle has a unique life cycle. As such, each hair follicle life cycle is affected by many factors. The actual life cycle stage that a follicle may be in at any time is as follows:

Anagen Phase: Hair is actively growing in this 6-year phase;
Catagen Phase: This phase is marked by transitional hair growth that lasts up to 3 weeks; and
Telogen Phase: During this phase, the hair rests for up to 3 months before shedding. Once shed, a new growth cycle begins.

Age, medical conditions, and genetic factors can cause the cycle of hair growth to decline or stop entirely. The decline and eventual end of growth for a follicle directly result in hair loss. Hair loss appears in different forms, with different symptoms and due to different causes — some patients may experience receding hairlines while others may have bald patches. Patients may choose to seek treatment to address their concerns as losing hair may negatively impact a patient’s confidence or their aesthetic goals.

Our Gainesville Hair Transplant Center is dedicated to creating individualized treatment plans to guide patients on their journey to confidence, self-love and a restored head of hair.

What Are The Types Of Hair Loss?

Alopecia, or hair loss, is categorized into several types. Patients may experience more than one type of hair loss. Understanding the type of hair loss along with the cause(s) allow our patients to be effectively treated.

Androgenic Alopecia or male pattern baldness is a very common type of hair loss. Categorized by thinning of hair along the hairline or crown of the head, patients may notice that as their hair thins their remaining hair is left in an M-shaped or a U-shaped pattern.
Alopecia Areata is an immune system condition in which hair follicle growth cycles are attacked and damaged. This condition may be present along with ulcerative colitis, lupus, thyroid disease, allergic disorders, vitiligo and/or rheumatoid arthritis.
Alopecia Universalis is categorized by total hair loss on all areas of the body.
Alopecia Totalis leaves patients entirely bald on the scalp. This condition presents itself as either quick and total hair loss or slow, patchy hair loss that progresses until all hair is gone.
Ophiasis causes hair loss in a wave-like shape from temple to temple.
Traction Alopecia is outlined by follicle damage caused by tension, pulling and/or hair breakage from hairstyles, treatments or facelifts.
Chignon Alopecia is commonly seen in dancers, as hair tightly secured on the top of the head causes loss of hair on the crown of the head.
Hypotrichosis is seen in patients entirely devoid of hair growth
Telogen Effluvium occurs when extreme stress or illness causes follicles to enter the resting stage before cycling properly.
Trichotillomania is seen in patients who compulsively pull their hair out.

What Causes Hair Loss?

The cause of your hair loss may be attributed to one or more factors. A consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon will help you identify the causes of your hair loss. Understanding the factors that determine hair loss is vital to creating a treatment plan capable of helping you reach your goals.

Typically, hair loss is associated with one or more of the following components:

Genetics: Male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness is directly linked to your family history;
Age: Each follicle experiences a reduced growth cycle with age;
Drastic weight loss;
Hormonal fluctuations: Menopause, childbirth, and testosterone levels affect hair growth;
Medical conditions: Lupus, diabetes, alopecia, ringworm infections to the scalp and trichotillomania;
Medications: Heart, blood pressure, depression, arthritis, and cancer-related medications;
Trauma or stress: This type of hair loss may resolve after recovering from extreme events;
Certain hairstyles: Hairstyles in which the hair is tightly pulled, braided or tied; and
Certain hair treatments: Extreme heat and harsh chemicals may permanently damage follicles.

How Do I Prevent Hair Loss?

The causes behind hair loss are not always within a patient’s control. Medical conditions or genetic factors may be unpreventable.

Patients may be able to prevent certain types of hair loss through the following practices:

Avoid tight, restrictive hairstyles;
Avoid hot oil treatments or chemical treatments;
Refrain from twisting or pulling your hair; and
Protect your hair from UV lights.

During your consultation, your physician will suggest prevention tips that are appropriate with your type of hair loss.

How Is Hair Loss Diagnosed?

A review of your medical history and a physical exam are necessary to diagnose hair loss. Additionally, your plastic surgeon may run several tests, such as a blood test or scalp biopsy. Depending on the findings, your plastic surgeon may conduct a pull test, in which several dozen hairs are pulled to determine the follicle growth phase. If an issue with the hair shaft is suspected, your doctor will run a light microscopy test to skillfully remove hairs with a specialized device for further inspection and testing.

Your hair loss will be applied to the Ludwig Scale (for female patients) or the Norwood Classification Scale for Hair Loss (for male patients). The stage and severity of your hair loss help further determine the best course of action.

What Are Treatments For Hair Loss?

With your hair loss type, medical exam results and aesthetic goals in mind our team will devise a plan of action. Your treatment may include medication or treatments to stimulate and restore hair.

We provide patients with state-of-the-art technology, known as NeoGraft, to effectively harvest your own healthy follicles and insert them into the treatment areas. This procedure provides our patients with new hair growth in several months! Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy treatments are highly effective when used in combination with a NeoGraft treatment. During your appointment, a small amount of blood is drawn and spun through a centrifuge. After spinning, your PRP will be separated. The PRP is applied to the areas receiving your follicle grafts to stimulate growth and healing. For hair restoration or hair transplantation, contact our Gainesville Hair Transplant Center!