JULY 2016

NEWSLETTER

HAMZAVI DERMATOLOGY NEWSLETTER | JULY 2016 www.HamzaviDerm.com | www.TheDermSpecialists.com 1

Help I’m losing my hair!Hair thinning or hair loss is a common complaint. Although it is an issue that many people will deal with at some point in their life, it can be a difficult and emotional process. While there are many different types of hair loss (too many to discuss here), the most common type is called “androgenetic alopecia”. This is frequently referred to as “balding” or “male pattern hair loss”. However, this condition often effects women too. In fact, more than 50% of women will experience problems with hair thinning after menopause.

The following issues may be signs of androgenetic alopecia:

• Increased hair shedding

• Widening of your part

• Receding hair line

• Your ponytail becomes smaller/thinner

If you are having any of these issues, you should discuss them with your doctor.

The topic of hair loss tends to bring about a number of questions. People often hear information from friends and family, or read articles online, and have a hard time separating fact from fiction. The following are a few of the most common concerns:

Q: I seem to lose a lot of hair when I shampoo— does washing my hair make hair loss worse?

A: No. Each hair on your head goes through 3 different phases: anagen, the growth phase; catagen, the resting phase; telogen, the shedding phase. When you wash your hair, the act of massaging the shampoo through your scalp loosens hairs that are in the shedding phase. These hairs would have

eventually shed over time, but you are seeing them shed in unison, which makes it feel like you are losing more hair. The same thing happens when you comb your hair.

Q: Will I go completely bald?

A: The majority of people that struggle with male or female pattern hair loss do not lose all of their hair. For men, the hairs on the sides and back of the scalp are usually spared. Women tend to get increasingly thin on the top of the scalp, but not completely bald.

Q: Can any bloodwork tell me why I’m losing my hair?

A: Sometimes bloodwork can be helpful in determining if there is an underlying cause to your hair loss. For example, people with low iron levels or thyroid conditions can have more problems with hair loss. Male and female pattern hair loss is associated with hormones affecting hair cycles and growth.

(Continued on page 2)

HAMZAVI DERMATOLOGY NEWSLETTER | JULY 2016 www.HamzaviDerm.com | www.TheDermSpecialists.com 2

However, people with male and female pattern hair loss often have normal hormone levels. This is because the issue lies in the hair follicle itself. Your doctor may decide to check hormone levels, but if they are normal you may still have male or female pattern hair loss.

Q: My hair seems to shed more in the Spring and Summer— is that normal?

A: Yes. Many studies have shown that there can be seasonal variation in hair shedding. There are many other factors that can influence hair shedding:

• Fever

• Stress

• Major illness

• Hormonal changes

Increased hair shedding starts about 3 months after an illness or stressful event, but improves with time.

Q: Did I get this from my mother’s side of the family? or “No one else in my family has hair loss— why do I?”

A: The genetics involved in male and female pattern

hair loss are not completely understood. Doctors

used to think that it was inherited from the mother’s

genes, but we now know that there are different

genes involved and different patterns of inheritance.

Q: Nothing actually works for hair loss, so why bother?

A: While no treatment works for everyone, there are options that may be helpful. For some people, this may mean that you lose less hair or you hair loss stops; others may regrow hair that has been lost. Discussing your condition with a dermatologist may help provide possible solutions, but you will not know if a treatment works until you try it!

Q: Do natural supplements help?

A: There are many vitamin supplements that claim to support healthy hair, skin and nails. The majority of these supplements contain biotin, also known as vitamin B7. True biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and hair loss. In reality, a true biotin deficiency is rare. There is no good research to show that biotin supplements are helpful for people that do not have a true biotin deficiency. However, taking biotin supplements in moderation is not harmful.

Q: “I shed so much hair and I feel like it’s getting thinner. Am I crazy?” or “My family and friends don’t believe my hair is different, but I definitely think it’s thinner. Am I crazy?”

A: No you are not crazy. Hair shedding is normal— you can lose 50 to 100 hairs every day! While it may sound like a lot, that is an average number. However, if you feel like the shedding is increasing and you are noticing some of the changes listed above, you should take it seriously. It takes the loss of nearly 50% of your hair before other people can truly see the difference.

- Dr. Henderson

(Continued on page 3)

3

Hamzavi Dermatology Fort Gratiot 2950 Keewahdin Rd. | Fort Gratiot, MI 48059 (810) 455-1600

S. L. Husain Hamzavi, M.D. Fasahat Hamzavi, M.D. Iltefat Hamzavi, M.D. Meredith Price, M.D. Jennifer Marlin P.A.-C Ashley Carriveau, P.A.-C. Jessica McLeod, M.S.N., FNP-BC.

Dermatology Specialists of Shelby 50505 Schoenherr Rd., Suite 325 Shelby Township, MI 48315 | (586) 580-1001

Ali A. Berry, M.D. Matteo C. LoPiccolo, M.D. Judy Fontana, M.D. Andrea Rosik, M.S., P.A.-C.

Hamzavi Dermatology Clinton Twp. 43151 Dalcoma, Suite 1 | Clinton Township, MI 48038 (586) 286-8720

S. L. Husain Hamzavi, M.D. Meredith Price, M.D. Jennifer Rivard, M.D. Nada Macaron, M.D. Jessica McLeod, M.S.N., FNP-BC.

Dermatology Specialists of Brighton 2305 Genoa Business Park Dr., Suite 180 Brighton, MI 48114 | (810) 355-4300

Andrea Schrieber, M.D. Francisca Kartono, D.O. Matteo C. LoPiccolo, M.D. Jennifer Rivard, M.D. Jennifer M. Reiss, M.S., P.A.-C.

Dermatology Specialists of Canton 285 Lilley Rd. | Canton, MI 48187 | (734) 495-1506

Ali A. Berry, M.D. Iltefat Hamzavi, M.D. Andrea Schrieber, M.D. Francisca Kartono, D.O. Marsha Henderson, M.D. Matteo C. LoPiccolo, M.D. Evelyn Sommariva, P.A.-C. Ann LaFond, M.D Kimberly Simons, M.S., P.A.-C.

Hamzavi Canton Dermatology 8584 N Canton Center Rd. | Canton, MI 48187 (734) 455-8180

David Blum, M.D Marsha Henderson, M.D

HAMZAVI DERMATOLOGY NEWSLETTER | JULY 2016 www.HamzaviDerm.com | www.TheDermSpecialists.com

Highly Skilled Physicians | Top Quality CareWhatever your skin care need, call us today to set up an appointment! Same day appointments are available.

• Pediatric & Adult Dermatology • Phototherapy • Laser Therapy • Eczema • Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) • Psoriasis • Skin Cancer • Vitiligo • Removal of Skin Cancer, Warts and Scars

Acne Scars

Wrinkles

Pore Size

Stretch Marks

Now OfferingTreatments

The rejuvapen is a remarkable, non-laser, non-surgical treatment that causes skin to stimulate collagen production and fresh, new tissue. Skin tightens; wrinkles, fine lines, scarring, and hyperpigmentation significantly diminish; pores become finer; and the overall health and circulation of the skin is improved.

The instrument itself utilizes what is called medical micro-needling, and in Rejuvapen’s case, 9 micro-needles are used on the skin to create thousands of invisible and virtually painless perforations.

By creating these microscopic channels in the epidermis, the body immediately responds by increasing the formation of new tissue to refresh mature skin, as well as releasing of growth factors that promote scar and hyperpigmentation repair and healing.