Expert Tips to Follow for Hair Loss Awareness Month

Try PRP Therapy

“Preventing hair loss is generally easier than restoring hair once it’s gone,” says Wayne, NJ facial plastic surgeon and hair restoration specialist Jeffrey B. Wise, MD. He stresses the importance of early intervention with a combination of healthy lifestyle choices, including a nutritious diet, adequate sleep and medical treatments like finasteride and minoxidil. Dr. Wise also recommends platelet-rich plasma injections, which use your own blood’s growth factors to stimulate hair growth. “PRP acts like a fertilizer, stimulating new hair growth,” he explains. For those who have already experienced significant hair loss, Dr. Wise suggests a micro–Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant, noting that this precise technique “avoids leaving a linear scar and can be completed in a single session with minimal downtime.”

Stop Progression Early

“If someone is suffering from active hair loss, they should be proactive to stop the progression,” advises Delray Beach, FL plastic surgeon Daniel Crane, MD. He agrees on the importance of ruling out nutritional deficits or underlying diseases before starting treatment. “The best way to do this is with oral or topical medications, or a combination of both,” says Dr. Crane. Once hair loss is stabilized, he says a hair transplant is the most effective way to restore growth in areas where hair has been lost. “Transplanted hairs maintain the properties that prevent them from being lost in the future,” he adds.

Gut Health Is Key to Hair Health

New York dermatologist Julie Russak, MD believes that “the most important thing everyone suffering from hair loss should be doing is addressing their overall metabolic health, with a particular focus on maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.” She explains that the gut plays a crucial role in nutrient absorption, inflammation management and hormone regulation, all of which are key factors in hair health. “A balanced gut microbiome supports the production of essential vitamins and minerals that are critical for hair growth,” says Dr. Russak. She also advises taking a supplement like Nutrafol ($88) to promote natural hair growth and reduce hair loss.

Understand Root Causes

Miami hair restoration specialist Jeffrey Epstein, MD advises those experiencing hair loss to “figure out what may be the underlying causes, even when genetics are involved.” He emphasizes that lifestyle factors like nutrition and stress can exacerbate hair loss. Dr. Epstein also stresses the importance of doing thorough research before choosing a procedure. “Do your homework and find an expert in hair restoration, not just an expert in marketing,” he cautions.

See a Specialist First

“If you’re experiencing hair loss, my first recommendation would be to always see a physician first,” says Miami facial plastic surgeon Anthony Bared, MD. He suggests consulting a hair restoration surgeon or a dermatologist specializing in hair and skin care to explore medical treatments that can help slow or offset the progression of hair loss. “Today, we even have genetic testing that we can do, as simple as a tongue swab, where we can tailor medical therapy to specific hair loss patterns and help optimize treatment for each person,” explains Dr. Bared.

Glenn Dale, MD dermatologist Valerie D. Callender, MD agrees. “Seek a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist to obtain an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan, because an early diagnosis is critical!,” she adds.

Consider HRT

“For women in perimenopause it also helps to add hormone replacement therapy,” says New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD. “We are beginning to make progress in helping women understand all the ways HRT improves health and longevity for women, safely.”