When Shedding May Be Part of a Normal Cycle
Hair naturally moves through periods of growth and shedding. The amount you notice can seem greater on wash days, after taking down a hairstyle, or when your hair is long enough to make individual strands more visible.
It may be time for a closer look when shedding increases significantly, does not improve, or begins to change the appearance of your hairline, part, or overall density. Our team will also consider whether the problem appeared suddenly or developed gradually.
Signs That May Point to Alopecia
Alopecia is an umbrella term for hair loss, and it can develop for several different reasons. Androgenetic alopecia typically causes gradual pattern thinning and often runs in families. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that can produce smooth, round or oval patches.
Other symptoms worth mentioning to one of our providers include:
- Loss of eyebrows or eyelashes
- Itching, tingling, burning, or tenderness on the scalp
- Redness, flaking, or visible irritation
- Nail pitting, ridges, roughness, or crumbling
- Rapid thinning or several new bare areas
Our guide to the early signs of alopecia explains additional changes that can occur with alopecia areata.
What Our Providers Look for During an Evaluation
The appearance of your scalp is only one part of the evaluation. During a clinical dermatology visit, our providers can review where the loss is occurring, how quickly it began, and whether the surrounding skin looks inflamed or irritated. We will also ask about your health history, medications, family history, and related symptoms.
Before your appointment, it can be helpful to note when the shedding started, whether it followed a recent health or medication change, and whether close relatives have experienced a similar type of thinning.
That information helps our team distinguish hereditary loss from autoimmune activity, inflammation, and other possible causes. Our article on autoimmune and genetic causes of alopecia provides more background on why different forms of hair loss require different approaches.
Know the Cause Before Choosing a Treatment
Sudden, patchy, or symptomatic loss should be evaluated before you invest in supplements, topical products, or restoration treatments. Once our providers have a clearer understanding of what is happening, we can discuss which options make sense.
For some adults with early thinning or pattern loss, that conversation may include HairRevive Boost candidacy. The condition of the scalp, follicles, and surrounding tissue must be considered first.
Have New Hair Changes Evaluated
When the amount of hair you are losing no longer feels normal, our team can help determine what may be behind it. To arrange an evaluation with Hollywood Dermatology in South Florida, contact us or call 954-961-1200.
