Hair disorders
Duke’s dermatologists diagnose and treat hair disorders, such as hair loss (alopecia), excessive hairiness (hirsutism), and abnormal hair growth (hypertrichosis). We understand that abnormal hair growth can be distressing and affect your self confidence. We work closely with you to diagnose the cause of your condition, and develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your medical needs, improves your condition, and helps you regain a positive self-image.
Recognized leaders in hair disorders
Many factors can contribute to hair disorders. Alopecia, or hair loss, may be caused by medical conditions such as lupus, thyroid disorder, protein or iron deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances. Hirsutism -- abnormal hair growth in women (such as a beard or chest hair) -- may be caused by ovarian, adrenal, thyroid or pituitary conditions. Identifying the cause, and treating the condition are our goal.
We work with people who have the most complicated cases of hair loss and hair overgrowth, as well as people who experience chemotherapy-related hair loss. Our experienced dermatologists are also dedicated researchers of hair disorders and continually test new therapies through our clinical trials.
Choose Duke Dermatology for your hair disorder treatment because we offer:
- Experience. Our skilled dermatologists are experienced and trained to treat patients with the full range of hair disorders.
- A team of specialists. Depending on the cause and type of your hair disorder, your dermatologist may collaborate with your primary care doctor, or work with specialists across Duke Health. Our goal is to ensure you receive the most effective treatment for your hair disorder, as well as any underlying medical problem that may be the cause.
HAIR DISORDERS
Treatments
Our dermatologists strive to treat your condition in its early stages, to achieve the best results. If your hair disorder is caused by an underlying medical condition, your doctor will collaborate with your primary care doctor or other Duke specialists to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
-
Over-the-counter medication applied directly to the scalp promotes hair regrowth in women and men.
-
Applied to the skin or given as injections, corticosteroids suppress the body’s immune system. Used when hair loss is caused by systemic inflammation.
-
Oral medication treats hair loss in men by suppressing the body’s production of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to stimulate hair growth.
-
Slow the body’s production of hair. Medications that reduce the level of hormones in the body, such as oral contraceptives, may reduce the rate of hair growth.
-
Permanent removal of hair using light energy which destroys hair follicles. This procedure minimizes damage to the surrounding skin and must be repeated several times.
HAIR DISORDERS
Tests
-
Your doctor may diagnose your hair disorder by looking at your scalp and asking questions about your symptoms and medical history.
-
Determine if your hair disorder is caused by an underlying medical problem. The results may pinpoint the cause of your condition and help your dermatologist develop the most appropriate treatment strategy.
-
A few hairs are taken from the affected area and viewed under a microscope.
-
A small piece of skin is removed from the scalp and viewed under a microscope.