Understanding Hair Loss in Ann Arbor, Mi
Hair loss is widespread— it is estimated that more than 50% of women in the U.S. and 80% of men will experience noticeable hair loss at some point during their lifetime. Hair loss can occur for many reasons, including genetics, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and more.
Dr. Pramit Malhotra understands that hair loss can be challenging, frustrating, and often misunderstood. Dr. Malhotra can work closely with your dermatologist to determine the cause of your hair loss and recommend the best treatment method to give you a full head of hair once again.
Read on to learn more about hair loss, or schedule a consultation with Ann Arbor hair restoration specialist Dr. Pramit Malhotra today.
Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle
The average person has between 100,000-150,000 hairs on their head at any given time, and each of these is in a state of growth or rest. You likely have hair in all three of these growth phases:
- Anagen – Active growth phase, can last for up to eight years
- Catagen – Transitional phase, usually lasts for a few weeks
- Telogen – Resting phase, lasts for two to three months. Hair falls out at the end of telogen, and the cycle begins again.
Hair cycles through these phases when the body is functioning properly. There are typically many more hairs in the anagen phase than the catagen and telogen phases. Hair that is lost is quickly replaced by new hair growth. When this cycle is interrupted, hair loss occurs.
What Causes Hair Loss?
Disruptions in the hair cycle can have many causes, from hormones to genetics, diseases, or medications. Male or Female Pattern baldness, also called androgenic alopecia, is the most prevalent reason for hair loss in both men and women.
Male pattern baldness is influenced by both genetic factors and hormones. It usually manifests on the top and front of the hairline, beginning as a receding hairline with thinning at the crown and gradually progressing to more extensive hair loss. This type of hair loss is one of the easiest types to treat using FUT or FUE hair restoration.
Female pattern baldness is also quite common. It is more diffuse than male pattern baldness; rather than complete hair loss in one area, women are more likely to experience thinning all over the head with a possible concentration on the crown.
There are many other potential contributors to hair loss, including:
- Hormones – Fluctuating hormones can lead to hair loss, as they can change throughout the aging process. Hair loss is also common after childbirth.
- Genetics – Your genetics can influence hair loss, especially the likelihood of experiencing male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness, two of the most common hair loss causes.
- Stress – Stress can lead to temporary hair loss. Additionally, some patients may pull and remove hair as a response to stress.
- Medications – Chemotherapy, blood thinners, birth control, and blood pressure medications are all known to cause hair loss.
- Injuries – Injuries, such as burns, can cause hair loss. Hair often returns after healing, but if scar tissue develops, the loss can become permanent.
- Disease – Some medical conditions cause hair loss, including autoimmune disease, thyroid disease, lupus, diabetes, and anemia.
- Manual Breakage – Tight, pulled back hairstyles and over-treating or styling the hair can cause breakage and hair loss.
- Diet – A diet that is very low in protein can cause temporary hair loss that usually returns once caloric and dietary needs are met.
Schedule A Consultation
Our Michigan plastic surgery specialists understand that the difference is in the details when it comes to achieving your desired results. Visit Dr. Malhotra and Dr. Ballard at Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery, schedule your consultation today.
How Is Hair Loss Treated? What Are My Options for Hair Restoration in Ann Arbor?
Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery is delighted to bring some of the very best methods to our patients seeking hair restoration in Ann Arbor, MI, including:
- FUE Hair Restoration – FUE hair transplantation is one of the most popular methods of hair transplantation. It extracts individual hair follicles, so no linear scar is created.
- FUT Hair Restoration – FUT hair restoration, also called the strip method, uses a thin strip of hair-bearing skin to create grafts for transplantation. Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery does not perform FUT procedures but after your evaluation, we can refer you to trusted colleagues if that is a better option for you.
- Medications – Topical medications, like Rogaine, can be useful for some patients with early hair loss. The key to successful treatment with medication or non-surgical options is starting early. Come see us as soon as you begin to notice signs of hair loss.
- Non-Surgical Treatments – PRP and laser therapy have been shown to effectively treat hair loss for the right patients. We may suggest these methods for certain patients.
Ready to Meet a Hair Restoration Expert?
At Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery, we focus on surgical procedures after patients have exhausted any medicinal options. Your consultation with Dr. Pramit Malhotra allows you to ask questions, voice any concerns you may have, and select the hair restoration option that best suits your goals.
To get started, please call our office at (734) 436-2186 or contact us online today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Restoration in Michigan
There are many options for hair restoration in Michigan, including FUE and ARTAS hair restoration. Each option has advantages. You and Dr. Malhotra can explore your options and find the best hair restoration solution for your needs.
Achieving a natural-looking hairline after hair transplantation requires a skilled and experienced surgeon. Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon with a comprehensive background performing hair restoration procedures. Dr. Malhotra is double board-certified. Furthermore, as a hair transplant patient himself, Dr. Malhotra is uniquely poised to guide his patients through this process.
Hair transplantation and restoration treatments can address hair loss at all its stages. For minor hair loss, we may recommend topical treatments, medications, or non-surgical therapies. For more advanced hair loss, FUE transplantation is often preferred. Patients with significant hair loss are often good candidates for FUT, a hair restoration method that can treat large areas of hair loss in a single procedure.
Treating hair loss in women can be difficult due to the pattern of thinning that many women experience. Although treating female patients is complex, it is often successful.
If you’re experiencing hair loss in Michigan, we invite you to come into Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery for a consultation. A consultation is the first step toward restoring your hairline and your confidence.