Questions About You Must Know the Answers To
July 30, 2019
When it comes to female hair loss, seeing a doctor – not a hairstylist – is the right solution. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, hereditary hair loss affects about 30 million females and some 50 million males in the country today. But a larger number of women experience thinning hair because of health problems or hormone-related factors (for example, menopause). If more hairs have been collecting around your shower drain lately, you may be busy looking for effective hair loss products in the market. But seeing a dermatologist is a much better option.
There could be more than a hundred reasons behind female hair loss. Sometimes, a doctor only has to look at the patient to know what these are. Other times, medical tests will be needed.
When seeking explanations behind female hair loss, doctors have to be able to consider all possible medical, hereditary, or temporary scenarios. So before you head out to buy the latest hair regrowth treatment, try seeing a doctor who specializes in hair loss instead, such as a dermatologist.
Scalp Biopsy Defined
Through a scalp biopsy, a number of hair and scalp conditions can be tested, including hair follicular density, potential fungal infections, potential abnormalities within the hair shaft, even female hair loss specifically, and more. The doctor can also use this procedure to see whether the hair loss is only temporary or if it is a form of permanent hair loss.
How Scalp Biopsy Is Performed
To peform a scalp biopsy, the doctor will get a small portion of your scalp (some 4mm in diameter) and study it using a microscope. One of the most crucial signs a dermatologist will look for is the amount of hair in the telogen phase. There should be no more than 10 to 20 percent of hair, or it could indicate a problem. Another one is the hair follicle’s health and general condition. If a sample shows structural abnormalities or miniaturization, the hair loss may be attributed to androgenetic alopecia or any problem associated with the hair growth cycle.
The process takes five minutes more or less and is mainly intended to help identify the reasons behind female hair loss. The biopsy does call for local anesthetic, but for most individuals, recovery can happen very quickly. You can probably even drive yourself home after the procedure. But doctors would usually recommend that you wait around 24 hours after the biopsy before wetting your your hair, since keeping the site dry promotes its healing.
Looking for Answers
Hair loss can be an emotionally difficult experience, particularly for women. Seeing a hair expert can help you find out the best female hair loss treatment. As with most medical cases, early diagnosis can be part of the solution itself. Needless to say, it’s just as important to find the right hair specialist to perform the scalp biopsy.