by D.J. Verret, MD

For millions of people across the world, thinning hair is a significant psychological problem. If you happen to be one of the people who suffer from hair loss, what are your options for treatment? Where do you turn? Is there hope?

Determining the cause of hair thinning is the first step to finding appropriate treatment. Hair loss can be genetic, due to underlying medical diseases, result from body stress, or may indicate a more life threatening cancer. Treatment is as varied as the causes for hair loss and each treatment is tailored to the underlying problem.

Visiting your family physician is the first step in evaluating the cause for hair loss. A completely history and physical examination can often provide the diagnosis. If this is not enough, blood testing may help or a biopsy may be necessary to determining the cause for the hair loss. In some cases, referral to a dermatologist or a hair loss specialist may be necessary to obtain the appropriate diagnosis.

Once the cause for the hair loss has been determined, a treatment regimen can be started. In some cases, this may be medical disease management, like thyroid replacement or diabetes control, while for other time may correct the hair loss without any treatment as in those cases of telogen effluvium. For patients who suffer from male or female pattern baldness, the goal of treatment is to prevent future loss. Any restoration of the hair loss would have to be accomplished with a hair transplant.

In the end, patient beware. There are many treatments which are touted to cure hair loss. While there are some herbal and dietary supplements which have been shown to improve some causes of hair loss, there are many which have no scientific evidence behind them. As with any treatment as well, be sure to talk with your doctor before starting to use or take any medication, even over the counter herbs. These may interfere with other treatments for other diseases and your doctor should be made aware.

About the Author:
For more information about hair restoration, hair transplant Dallas, hair restoration costs, hair loss, and other treatment options for alopecia, visit north Dallas, Texas facial plastic surgeon D.J. Verret, MD today!

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