Dermatologists are the doctors who are most commonly associated with treating hair loss because they specialize in skin, hair, and scalp conditions.

However, dermatologists are not the only providers who can evaluate hair loss. Other medical professionals, including nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), can also diagnose and assess many hair and scalp conditions, including hair loss.

In order to prevent hair thinning, it’s important to figure out what’s causing your hair loss in the first place. Hair thinning can be caused by genetics (male or female pattern baldness), autoimmune conditions, mineral deficiencies, lifestyle factors (certain hair styles or products) and more.

Once a healthcare provider has helped you determine what’s causing your hair loss, they can provide a treatment plan. Common solutions for thinning hair include:

• Lifestyle changes: Living a healthy lifestyle, along with gentle hair care, can prevent hair from thinning.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) products: Mineral supplements (such as Omega-3 and biotin) and anti-thinning shampoos may help slow hair thinning, and minoxidil (Rogaine)
• Prescription medications: Medications like finasteride (Propecia) are approved by the FDA to stimulate hair growth and prevent further hair loss for men, while prescription-strength minoxidil and spironolactone can help with hair thinning for women.
• Low-level laser therapy: Low-level laser therapy has been approved by the FDA as a safe and effective way of improving hair density, though these tools can be expensive and may not work for everyone.

Not sure what hair loss treatment is right for you? Book an online dermatology consult with one of Sesame’s licensed dermatologists or hair loss specialists to discuss treatment options and therapies.

It depends on what’s causing your hair loss. If thinning hair is a result of genetic pattern hair loss, full hair regrowth may not be possible. However, some medications may be able to slow the hair loss and help new hair grow.

If factors like stress, nutritional deficiencies, medications, or hormonal changes are causing your hair thinning, this type of hair loss is generally temporary and tends to resolve itself with the right care and treatment.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies that may lead to hair loss include:

• Vitamin D
• Biotin (vitamin B)
• Iron
• Vitamin B12
• Folic acid
• Omega-3 fatty acids

If you suspect that you experience hair loss due to a vitamin deficiency, talk to a health care provider before supplementing your diet with vitamins and minerals.

The biggest difference between male pattern and female pattern hair loss is where hair is lost, and how much hair is lost.

Male pattern hair loss usually presents as a receding hairline, bald areas, or a “horseshoe” shape on the crown of the head, especially with age. Male pattern hair loss can be measured by the Norwood scale, a classification system that charts the extent of hair loss.

Female pattern hair loss is often exhibited by thinning hair at the top of the head. This area can become thinner and thinner until it becomes a see-through area at the top of the head (where the part in the hair is).

Male pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia) is the most common type of hair loss in men. It affects about two-thirds of men by age 35, and by age 50, about 85% have noticeable hair loss.

Male pattern hair loss is caused by male sex hormones called androgens. Androgens regulate hair growth, which is why men grow facial hair and pubic hair. As men age, these hormones can affect the growth cycle of hair and shorten hair follicles, leading to thinner and weaker strands of hair. Eventually, hair begins to fall out and balding begins to occur.

If you have a family history of hair loss, odds are likely that you will experience some amount of hair loss as you age.

The FDA has approved several male hair loss treatments: finasteride and minoxidil. Both finasteride (found in Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine) can prevent hair loss by stopping DHT from binding to hair follicles, which is the underlying cause of male pattern hair loss.

While these drugs can not totally stop or cure male pattern hair loss, they can prevent most hair loss, especially when used as soon as symptoms are detected. Finasteride can also help to regrow lost hair.

Other hair loss treatment options include low-level laser therapy (LLT), hair transplants, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. These are in-office treatments that may help slow shedding or improve hair density, but they are typically more expensive than medication.

Female pattern hair loss is a common condition among aging women. Nearly two-thirds of women experience some form of hair loss after menopause. While female pattern hair loss doesn't usually leave the bald spots that male pattern baldness does, it can result in very thin hair, especially at the top of the head.

The extent of hair loss in women is measured in three types or stages:

• Stage I: Mild hair loss/ thinning hair starting at the part in the hair on the top of the scalp.
• Stage II: The part in hair widens as hair thins around it. The skin on the scalp may show slightly.
• Stage III: Hair thins all over the scalp. On the top of the head, hair may be completely see-through.

Female pattern hair loss is a genetic condition, meaning it is passed down through families. The degree of hair loss a woman experiences is based on hereditary traits and her hair type.

There is no known cure for female pattern hair loss, but it can be slowed or prevented with lifestyle changes and hair loss treatment. If caught early, medication and hair care can prevent most hair loss as women age.

For female pattern hair loss - the most common cause of hair loss in females – the most common treatments are topical minoxidil (which can slow loss and sometimes regrow hair) and spironolactone.

If your hair loss is due to another factor, like thyroid problems, nutritional deficiencies, or a scalp disease, treatments will vary depending on the cause.