PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Many people keep their hair loss a secret, even from their loved ones.
The causes can be complex, and the hair growth market is full of false promises.
A Philadelphia woman explains how she found help.
“No woman wants to be bald. Hair is sacred to women,” says Zugay Rodriguez from Kensington.
She noticed some hair loss three years ago.
By last summer, the pace had really picked up.
“Then I started seeing bald spots,” she recalls.
Her first doctor seemed to focus on an unrelated skin condition.
“By the time he treats my hair loss, I’ll be bald,” she complained.
Zugey said Temple dermatologist Dr. Afton Metkowski was more committed to finding a solution.
According to Dr. Metkowski, we typically lose about 100 hairs a day.
“It’s when you exceed that amount that hair loss starts to become a concern,” says the doctor.
Hair loss has many causes, including medications, stress, anemia, thyroid or autoimmune diseases, and over-styling your hair.
Male pattern baldness is hair thinning caused by hormonal changes associated with aging.
Hair follicles don’t actually die.
“We still tend to see hair, it’s just not the thick adult hair we’re used to seeing. In fact, the hair has become thinner,” says Dr. Metkowski.
Treatment aims to reverse that switch.
Over-the-counter minoxidil, which is applied directly to the scalp, is usually the starting point.
“The sooner you start using the product, the stronger the reaction tends to be,” she points out.
If these are ineffective, oral medications, platelet-rich plasma, and even laser therapy may help.
Dr. Metkowski is skeptical of much-hyped nutritional supplements.
“The important thing is that the ingredients in the vitamin should be in your mouth in the form of food,” she says.
Zugei realized that long-term stress was a trigger for hair loss.
I dealt with it and my hair is coming back thanks to minoxidil.
“That one was bald. This one was all bald. This one here was all bald, too.”
Dr. Metkowski says if you’re concerned about thinning hair, see a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss. They are trained to explore all potential causes and treatments.
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