Top Benefits of Doctor Consultation for Hair Care
If you’ve noticed that your hairline is receding or that your hair is beginning to thin, speaking with a hair loss doctor is one of the most important steps to prevent further hair loss.
Male pattern baldness can begin as early as your teens, and many men begin to notice the early signs in their 20s or 30s.
Hair loss is something you should take seriously and seek professional help for as soon as possible.
Today, almost all male hair loss can be treated. With the help of a hair loss doctor, you can find out what is causing your hair loss and formulate a hair loss prevention plan that will help you minimise further hair loss and keep as much of your hair as possible.
Are you unsure whether you need an online doctor consultation? We’ve listed the key benefits of talking with a hair loss doctor, as well as some signs you can look for to determine when it’s time to act and do something about hair loss.
The Benefits of Seeing a Doctor for Hair Care
You might think that visiting a doctor for hair loss or booking an appointment through telehealth is unnecessary since you can buy over-the-counter hair loss medications, such as minoxidil. It is still important to see a hair loss doctor if you are noticing the early signs of male pattern baldness.
The first reason to see a hair doctor (dermatologist or trichologist) is that they can determine the type of hair loss you have.
As hair loss doctors specialise in identifying the primary causes of hair loss, they can easily and quickly inform you about why your hair loss is occurring, as well as how to treat it effectively.
Your hair loss doctor can also inform you of the risks and side effects associated with each hair loss treatment for men, including medications and cosmetic procedures.
If your hair loss isn’t genetic, a hair loss doctor can help you find out the root cause using one of several different tests:
1. Blood Testing
Some hair loss doctors use blood tests to check for medical conditions that can cause hair thinning and hair loss, such as thyroid disease.
2. Scalp Biopsy
Your hair loss doctor may suggest a scalp biopsy if the cause of your hair loss is unclear. It involves the removal of a small piece of skin from your scalp so that it can be tested and analysed.
3. Hair Pull Test
Your hair loss doctor may carefully remove some of your hair from your scalp if you show signs of telogen effluvium. Pull tests are performed to detect active hair loss.
4. DHT Testing
Hair loss doctors may suggest a serum DHT test if you have male pattern baldness, which tests the total amount of dihydrotestosterone in your blood (a hormone that can damage hair follicles).
When is it Time to See a Hair Doctor?
As soon as you notice any early signs of male pattern baldness, you should make an online doctor consultation appointment.
Acting quickly can help you keep more of your hair if you suffer from male pattern baldness because hair loss is permanent.
A person’s best time to act on hair loss may vary. Guys in their 20s and 30s may start noticing signs of hair loss. However, for others, they might appear earlier. Guys in their teens can make early changes is important for hair care to prevent hair loss.
Here are a few common signs that it might be time to schedule an appointment with a hair loss specialist.
1. You Have a Visible Receding Hairline
Often, male pattern baldness begins at the hairline, with hair around your temples beginning to thin and your hairline receding.
Make an online doctor consultation appointment if you notice your hairline is becoming thinner, higher, and more M-shaped.
2. Your Hair is Falling Out Rapidly and Suddenly
If you notice a large bald spot or if your hair seems to be falling out in large amounts (or building upon your hairbrush, pillow, or shower drain), this is usually a sign that you are losing significant amounts of hair.
It could be due to male pattern baldness, or it could be caused by an illness or another health issue. In any case, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a hair specialist doctor to learn how to stop your hair loss and what’s causing it.
3. Your Hair Loss Treatment Program Isn’t Working
Consulting a hair loss doctor can be a good idea when your existing hair loss prevention strategy and hair care routine aren’t working as expected.
If you visit a hair loss doctor, you can find out what’s missing from your current hair loss treatment protocol and, if necessary, receive the hair care products and medications you need. You can also book an appointment through telehealth as online doctor consultations are increasing rapidly, especially since the pandemic.
What Treatment Will a Hair Specialist Doctor Prescribe?
Hair loss occurs for several reasons, so there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for it.
When you meet with a hair loss doctor, they will examine your scalp and identify the primary cause of your hair loss. Your doctor will then suggest the best hair loss treatment for men based on the type and severity of your hair loss.
Male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men. If you have this type of hair loss, your hair specialist doctor may prescribe medications for hair loss, such as finasteride and minoxidil.
Finasteride works by preventing your body from producing DHT, an androgen hormone responsible for hair loss.
Topical minoxidil is a medication. The treatment stimulates blood flow to the scalp and moves hair follicles into the growth phase of the hair growth cycle.
Using finasteride and minoxidil together proves particularly effective. In a study published in Dermatologic Therapy, more than 94 per cent of balding men who used both medications experienced increased hair growth after 12 months.
Your hair specialist doctor may recommend using a topical DHT blocker or anti-hair loss shampoo for additional protection.
Your hair loss doctor might prescribe medication to treat the leading cause of your hair loss if you have patchy hair loss, temporary hair loss or other loss of hair caused by an underlying medical condition.
Sometimes, they will refer you to a specialist for specific hair loss treatment for men to end the underlying problem and hair loss.
Lastly, if your hair loss is severe or moderate, your hair loss doctor may recommend procedures to restore your hair, such as hair transplant surgery.
During this surgical procedure, healthy, DHT-resistant hair follicles are removed from the back and sides of your scalp and then transplanted to thicken and cover your hairline, crown, or other areas with thinning hair.