dandruff Archives - Miami Hair Institute

December 18, 2018

What Your Hair Can Tell You About Your Health

If you want to get a complete picture of your health, you’ll need a comprehensive physical exam, an array of tests, and the expertise of your doctor. But medical charts and lab results are not the only places you can get insights about your well-being. Your body has plenty of ways of telling you if something may be wrong. One way it does so is through the condition of your scalp and hair.

Often, differences in your’s hair’s condition don’t mean much beyond the fact that your genes or other environmental or lifestyle factors are causing you to lose hair. Other times, though, sudden or unexpected changes in your hair health – from differences in strength, texture, or color to significant shedding – can be early warning signs about other health problems that need your attention.

The following are just a few things your scalp and hair may be telling you about your health:

Dandruff merely is a visible sign that the skin cells on your scalp are producing new cells quicker than normal, resulting in excessive shedding of dead skin cells, which take the form of dandruff flakes. Dandruff can be connected to a variety of treatable conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, stress, seborrheic dermatitis, or vitamin B deficiency.
Graying hair. While greying hair is usually the result of genetics and the passing of time, premature greying can be caused by an array of health problems, from stress to anemia, thyroid issues, vitamin B12 deficiency, and vitiligo.
Brittle hair. A rare condition call Cushing’s Syndrome can develop when your body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol for an extended time. One symptom of this condition is brittle hair.
Thyroid problems. When our thyroid glands don’t work correctly, they can cause an array of health problems, including hair loss. Both hypothyroidism (production of too few hormones) and hyperthyroidism (production of too many hormones) can cause hair to fall out because of the impact these imbalances have on the development of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone, a synthesized version of testosterone, plays a role in the development of sexual organs and secondary sexual characteristics, including physical appearance. Unlike testosterone, however, too much DHT disrupts the natural growth cycle of hair and can cause hair follicle shrinkage or elimination, resulting in shedding or thinning hair.
A lack of iron – anemia – is one of the chief causes of dietary-related hair loss. Low iron levels restrict proper blood flow – reducing the amount of growth-stimulating nutrients our follicles need. Iron-rich foods such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and other leafy greens can boost your iron intake and help feed your hair.

Ready to Do Something About Your Hair Loss? Schedule an Appointment for a Hair Loss Evaluation Today

If you are concerned about your hair health or are experiencing hair loss and you’re ready to do something about it, we invite you to schedule a hair loss evaluation at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami. To receive your personalized assessment and treatment plan, contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.

March 14, 2016

Will Dandruff Cause Hair Loss?

It’s estimated that dandruff affects nearly 1 in 2 adults across the United States and Europe. But will dandruff cause hair loss? Like scalp folliculitis, dandruff is a condition that affects the scalp. However, dandruff is a unique condition with different symptoms and side effects. Read this article to learn more about dandruff causes, as well as the risk for developing hair loss when the scalp becomes dry and flaky.

Is Hair Loss Caused by Dandruff?

To date, there is no clinical evidence suggesting that hair loss is caused by dandruff. However, anecdotal evidence among physicians suggests a possible correlation. That is to say, patients who experience dandruff also exhibit signs of hair loss. Before exploring treatment options, take a moment to review a few important facts about dandruff and hair loss.

Dandruff is simply a visible sign that the skin cells of the scalp are producing new cells faster than normal. This results in excessive shedding of dead skin cells, which fall from the scalp as dandruff flakes. Dandruff can affect you in both the long-term and short-term, often forming as a side effect of another health or skin condition (see below).

Dandruff is also a symptom of the following common skin conditions:

Eczema
Psoriasis
Stress
Seborrhic dermatitis
Vitamin B Deficiency

Sometimes, a hair loss medication may cause dandruff. Minoxidil is one medication that may cause hair loss. Most often available under the brand name Rogaine®, this topical foam contains alcohol, which may dry the scalp and increase dandruff flakes.

How to Treat Dandruff and Hair Loss

Fortunately, there are treatments available for men and women who experience dandruff and hair loss. Special shampoos, laser therapy, and hair restoration surgery are just a few examples of the complementary treatments available to reverse the signs of both conditions.

Dandruff Treatment

Most hair loss experts and dermatologists agree that dandruff is easy to treat. Often times, patients can see fast and long lasting results with an over the counter shampoo designed specifically to treat the symptoms of dandruff. Alternatively, some individuals notice dandruff symptoms subside after adding just a few drops of tea tree oil to their shampoo. For others, especially those who have very light dandruff, a vigorous scalp massage while showering is enough to loosen and clear away dandruff flakes. Only a dermatologist or hair loss professional knows which option will be best for you, making it essential to consult a professional.

Hair Loss Treatment

Although topical hair loss foams like Rogaine® can worsen dandruff symptoms, prescription medications like Propecia® are a relatively safe bet. Some men experience sexual side effects while using Propecia®, however, leading many patients to try laser therapy with Capillus® as an alternative. Surgical hair restoration is another option to restore the appearance of hairlines, crowns, and other areas affected by pattern baldness.

Treating Dandruff and Hair Loss in Miami

Treat dandruff, before it has the chance to cause hair loss. Today, a variety of treatment protocols are available to help nourish the scalp, reduce flaking, and promote natural hair growth.

To learn more about treating dandruff and reversing hair loss, contact the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami online or call 305-925-0222.

August 6, 2012

Causes of Hair Loss in Women

The causes of hair loss in women may differ from those in men due to a number of factors, most significant of which is biology. One of the biggest biological differences between men and women are hormones. Hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and thyroid, to name only a few, largely dictate the outward appearance of both males and females. This includes height, weight, and of course, hair. Other causes of hair loss in women include genetics, nutrient deficiencies, and general health of the skin (in particular, the scalp). This article has been created to help women identify the 6 most common causes of hair loss including thinning, shedding, and balding.

Top 6 Causes of Hair Loss in Women

1. Unhealthy Scalp

It comes as no surprise that certain scalp conditions may be causal factors for hair loss. The scalp is the foundation from which healthy hair grows, and growth may be inhibited when the foundation is compromised. Specifically, the following skin conditions may lead to hair loss in women:

Seborrheic dermatitis: This condition makes may agitate the skin of the scalp, face, and torso. When affecting the scalp, most individuals know this condition by the name dandruff.
Psoriasis: An autoimmune disease, psoriasis appears in the form of scaly red and white patches on the upper most layer of skin.
Dermatophytosis: Known by the common name ringworm, dermatophytosis is caused by a fungal infection and appears as a light red circular mark on the skin.

2. Thyroid Disorder

Thyroid disorders are relatively common among American adults, affecting a reported 5 percent of the population. Thyroid disorders come in one of two varieties: Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Both hypo- and hyperthyroidism may contribute to hair loss in women. In the case of the former, the body under-produces the thyroid hormone and individuals may notice weight gain, persistent feelings of fatigue, and a general inability to concentrate. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is marked by an over-production of thyroid hormone that may cause other side effects like rapid weight loss, muscle atrophy, and irritability.

3. Telogen Effluvium

Another common cause of hair loss in women is telogen effluvium. This disorder is characterized by unnatural thinning or shedding of the hair and is most commonly triggered by periods of immense or abrupt body stress. Women who are pregnant, experiencing extreme weight loss, or feeling persistent mental/emotional stress may develop this scalp condition in which hair spends an abnormally short amount of time in the growing portion of the hair growth cycle. This causes hair to enter the telogen phase (shedding phase) more quickly than is normal, increasing the rate at which hair is expelled from the scalp.

4. Androgenetic alopecia

The American Academy of Dermatology has named androgenetic alopecia as the most common cause of hair loss among both men and women. Androgenetic alopecia is hereditary; the “gene for hair loss” may be passed down from parent to child. Contrary to popular hair loss myths, androgenetic alopecia may be inherited from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family.

5. Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata affects an estimated 4-5 million Americans, making this condition a very common reason for hair loss among women. Though the precise cause of alopecia areata is not known, women who suffer with unhealthy amounts of stress or general illness are most susceptible to developing the condition.

6. Anemia

Anemia is caused be an iron deficiency in the blood. This is marked by a low level of red blood cells and may be the result of a diet that is significantly lacking in iron rich foods like egg yolks, dark green vegetables, lentils, and artichokes, among others. Anemia is also characterized by extreme fatigue and pale skin, as a low blood cell count renders the blood unable to transport adequate amounts of oxygen.

Learn More About Preventing Hair Loss

Early detection is the best means of identifying, treating, and overcoming hair loss. To learn more, please visit our quick-reference guide titled Women and Hair Loss: Top 4 Signs. If you are experiencing thinning, balding, or shedding hair, you are not alone. A reported 20 million women suffer with hair loss in America alone, and there is a wealth of treatment options available.

Our clinic proudly represents the top team Florida hair transplant surgeons, lead by Dr. Bernard Nusbaum and Dr. Paul Rose. To learn more, please schedule a hair loss consultation with the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami or call toll free 1-877-443-9070.