Hair loss has many causes, and the right treatment depends on the diagnosis. A dermatologist can distinguish gradual pattern thinning from alopecia areata, excessive shedding, and inflammatory or scarring alopecia.
What Happens During a Hair Loss Evaluation?
A hair-loss visit usually starts with the pattern and timing of loss, scalp symptoms, medications, medical history, family history, and a close examination of the scalp and hair. Blood testing or a scalp biopsy may be useful in selected cases.
Learn more about hair loss and scalp disorders.
How Can a Dermatologist Treat Hair Loss?
Treatment is matched to the cause. Options may include topical or oral minoxidil, finasteride or spironolactone for selected patients, corticosteroid injections, JAK inhibitors for appropriate alopecia areata, anti-inflammatory treatment for scarring alopecias, PRP, low-level light therapy, or hair transplantation.
See our Hair Regrowth & Hair Loss Treatment page for the treatment options organized by type of alopecia.
When Should Hair Loss Be Evaluated?
Consider evaluation for progressive thinning, bald patches, rapid shedding, eyebrow or eyelash loss, scalp pain or burning, redness, scale, pustules, or signs of scarring. Earlier diagnosis can matter when inflammation is threatening permanent follicle damage.
Hair Loss Dermatology on Long Island & Queens
Borealis Dermatology evaluates hair loss in Garden City, Syosset, and Bellerose, NY. The goal is to identify the cause, stop ongoing loss when possible, preserve healthy follicles, and choose treatments that have a reasonable chance of regrowth.