Raechele Cochran Gathers, MD Hair loss is a frequent reason for visiting the dermatologist. Hair loss, also known as alopecia, is a very common condition, and many thousands of people seek dermatology expertise for hair loss every year. Finding a dermatologist with experience in treating hair loss is important. It’s also important to be well prepared for your hair loss appointment—so that you can get the most out of your visit with your dermatologist.
Visiting a Dermatologist for Hair Loss
If you’re experiencing hair loss, you are definitely not alone. Up to half of people can be affected by male and female pattern hair loss. In one study, more than half of black women had experienced excessive hair breakage or shedding. Hair loss can be associated with significant depression, anxiety and emotional distress. Because hair loss can be progressive, and because some types of hair loss can be permanent, early diagnosis of hair loss conditions is key.
It is important to prepare for your dermatology hair loss visit so that you can be sure to get your questions answered and make the most out of your time with your dermatologist. Being prepared can also help your dermatologist narrow down a cause of your hair loss and more effectively assess your issue.
Hair Loss Visit Questions
During your hair loss visit, your dermatologist will ask you many questions to get insight into the type of hair loss that you may be experiencing. Be prepared to answer questions about:
- Duration of hair loss
- Location of hair loss
- Type of hair loss (full strand loss vs breakage of hair)
- Scalp symptoms (flaking, itching, tenderness, redness, etc…)
- Hair care history (dyes, chemicals, weaving, braiding, etc…)
- Family history of hair loss
Your dermatologist may also want to know if this is the first time you’ve experienced hair loss, or if it has happened in the past. You should also be prepared to answer questions about your hair care routine, such as how often you wash it, what products you use and what your go-to hairstyles are. Your dermatologist may also ask if you’ve noticed anything that either improves or worsens your hair loss.
Preparing for Your Dermatology Hair Loss Visit
In addition to questions about your hair loss, your dermatologist will also want to know the details of your health and your medical history. Questions to be prepared for include:
- Medical/health history
- Current medical problems
- Skin History (including any rashes or skin lesions)
- Medication history (this includes supplements and vitamins)
- Surgical history
- History of recent illnesses
- Dietary history (including any recent diets or food restrictions)
- Weight history
- Emotional stressors
In addition to taking a thorough history during your hair loss appointment, your dermatologist will closely examine your scalp, hair follicles and hair. She may also ask to look at other areas of your skin for rashes, skin lesions, or hair changes.
To help in making a diagnosis, your hair loss visit may also include checking some blood work to look for any deficiencies or anemias and a culture to check for an infectious process. Your dermatologist may also want to do a biopsy, where a piece of scalp tissue is sampled to look at under the microscope. This can help narrow down the cause of your hair loss and help with your treatment recommendations.
Summary
Being well prepared for your dermatology hair loss visit will help you get more out of your visit, and help your dermatologist develop a plan of care for treating your hair loss. Be prepared to answer many questions about your hair loss and hair care history, as well as questions about your health, medications and any life stressors. You may also want to bring a list of questions to your visit, so that you make sure that all your concerns are addressed.
