Hair Loss

Hair loss, hair thinning, hair shedding, or baldness may be hereditary or genetic, or caused by harsh grooming habits, medications, hormones, autoimmune conditions, stress, and medical problems. At ALLUSTRA DERMATOLOGY in the Heights, Houston, Texas, Brundha Balaraman, MD, specializes in minimally invasive treatments to help with hair loss. Call today or use the online tool to book an appointment and find out how we may help you restore healthy hair. 

What causes hair loss?

Men and women may experience hair loss and thinning hair. This is particularly true as you get older. Age-related, hereditary baldness and hair loss is known as androgenetic alopecia. 

You may also experience unexpected hair loss because of:

• Stress
• Certain medications, like blood thinners, antidepressants, and heart medications
• Poor nutrition, particularly a lack of protein or iron
• Birth control pills
• Radiation therapy or chemotherapy
• Illness, like the flu or another severe infection
• Thyroid disease or lupus
• Fungal infections, like ringworm

Excessive use of styling products, heat from a hairdryer or heating iron, use of relaxers, excessive processing, tight ponytails or hairstyles, hair dyes, and hair pulling may also cause hair loss. Hair may also have trouble growing in areas where scars appear.

Alopecia areata also causes hair loss. This is an autoimmune condition in which hair falls out in round patches. Alopecia areata affects anyone of any age. 

How do you diagnose hair loss?

Dr. Balaraman thoroughly examines your scalp and reviews your personal and family medical history. The doctor examines your hair follicles, and may order blood tests, too. Sometimes, Dr. Balaraman will take a sample of cells or biopsy from your scalp and send it to a lab to determine the reason for your hair loss. 

How do you treat hair loss?

If your hair loss is due to an underlying condition, Dr. Balaraman works with other specialists to treat that problem. You may need to switch medications, take supplements to boost your nutrition, or change your hair styling habits. 

You may also benefit from medications that treat genetic male and female pattern hair loss. These prescriptions include topical and oral prescriptions, such as minoxidil, spironolactone, or finasteride. Thin eyelashes and thin eyebrows may also be treated with latanoprost or Latisse.  Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may also improve hair density in patients with male-pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium or stress related hair loss, alopecia areata, hair loss from chemotherapy, and healing after a hair transplant. 

Dr. Balaraman may also talk to you about having a hair transplant. This surgery gives you lasting results but may be relatively extensive. Individual hairs are removed from one part of your scalp and placed them in areas of thinning or balding. 

Call Allustra Dermatology today if you’re struggling with hair loss or hair thinning, or use this website to schedule an appointment.