Hair Loss and You: How to Cope with Hair Loss and Ways to Stop It

For many, hair is tied to identity and self-esteem. So, when it starts thinning or falling out, it can leave your self-image fractured, triggering feelings of insecurity, anxiety, and even depression. 

At Ziering Medical, we recognize how difficult this experience can be. This is why we offer a wide range of hair restoration treatments including surgical and nonsurgical options to help you get back your confidence as soon as possible. 

What Causes Hair Loss? 

Many factors can cause hair loss, but the most common cause is pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia. This type of hair loss is hereditary, so if you have a family history of baldness, you are also more likely to experience pattern hair loss. 

In men, this condition usually shows up as a receding hairline or thinning at the crown, often leading to increased baldness and thinning over time. 

This type of progressive hair loss follows a predictable pattern, which is why it’s commonly referred to as male pattern baldness and is illustrated by using the Norwood Scale which is a classification system for male pattern baldness, providing a standardized way to assess the progression of androgenetic alopecia, or genetic hair loss, in men. It ranges from Stage 1 to Stage 7, with each stage representing a more advanced level of hair loss.

In women, the signs are more subtle. One of the first signs of female pattern loss is the gradual widening of the hair part. Over time, women may experience generalized or diffuse hair loss or thinning across their entire scalp. Many women report that they first noticed that they were thinning because their ponytail became noticeably smaller or thinner. Female pattern hair loss generally involves diffuse thinning across the scalp rather than the distinct recession seen in men.

Pattern Hair Loss in women is measured by using the  Ludwig Scale which is a classification system used to assess the severity of female pattern hair loss, which typically differs from male pattern baldness in both pattern and progression. 

Women rarely experience complete baldness from androgenetic alopecia, but the thinning can still significantly impact their self-esteem.

The root cause of androgenetic alopecia is a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone binds to hair follicles, causing them to shrink over time. As the follicles shrink, the hair becomes thinner, shorter, and eventually stops growing.

Other factors that may cause hair loss include stress, hormonal changes, tight hairstyles, poor nutrition, and medical conditions like thyroid disorders or autoimmune diseases. 

During your consultation, your hair loss doctor will determine what’s causing your hair loss and design the most appropriate treatment plan which may include medications, hair loss treatments, or even surgery. 

How to Emotionally Cope With Hair Loss

Hair loss can be emotionally damaging. We have talked to thousands of patients at our practice and many point out that their hair loss is causing personal, social, and work-related problems. 

If you’re experiencing hair loss, it helps to talk to a loved one or seek professional counseling to process your emotions. 

You’ll also want to manage stress, improve your nutrition, and avoid damaging habits like tight hairstyles or using harsh products or hair treatments so you can prevent it from getting worse. 

The next step is educating yourself about the proven treatment options available. Beware of products that over promise instant hair regrowth. If it sounds too good to be true – it probably is.  Consulting with a doctor who specializes in hair loss is a good way to learn about the many ways to tackle hair loss including medications, nonsurgical therapies like low-level laser therapy and topicals, and hair transplants. 

At Ziering Medical, we offer personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs and goals. 

What Are the Best Ways to Stop Hair Loss? 

DHT Blockers 

When it comes to stopping hair loss, one of the most effective methods is blocking the effects of DHT, the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles in androgenetic alopecia. Two of the most commonly prescribed DHT blockers are: 

Finasteride 

Finasteride works by blocking 5-alpha reductase Type II, the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT in hair follicles.

By reducing DHT levels in the scalp, finasteride helps slow hair loss and can even promote regrowth in many cases. It’s typically taken as a daily oral medication and is especially effective in preventing further hair loss in men.

Dutasteride

Dutasteride, on the other hand, inhibits both 5-alpha reductase Type I and Type II enzymes, making it a more potent option. 

This dual-action approach significantly reduces DHT levels, making dutasteride highly effective for individuals with more severe hair loss. 

While it is stronger than finasteride, dutasteride is less commonly prescribed because of its broader effects, but it can be very effective for men who don’t respond well to finasteride. 

Both Finasteride and Dutasteride are rarely recommended for women and ONLY if they are postmenopausal. 

Minoxidil

Though not a DHT blocker, minoxidil counteracts the effects of DHT by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, nourishing the hair follicles and  helping to extend the growth phase of the hair cycle. 

Minoxidil strengthens existing hair and promotes regrowth in thinning areas, making it an effective complement to DHT blockers. It is often applied topically but it’s also available in oral form.

Nonsurgical Therapies

At Ziering Medical, we provide several advanced treatments that can be used on their own or alongside surgical solutions to enhance results and keep your hair healthy at every age and stage:

Laser Hair Therapy 

We use medical-grade lasers to boost the health of hair follicles and you can now enjoy the benefits of this technology more conveniently with the Z CAP. 

The Z CAP is a prescription-strength, portable hair growth device with 304 lasers that delivers just the right amount of energy to your hair follicles. 

It’s FDA-cleared and clinically proven to help men and women regrow hair affected by pattern hair loss. This device is available only by prescription for our patients.

Z-Factors 

Another powerful nonsurgical option is Z-Factors, a specially formulated serum with growth factors, exosomes, nanoparticles, cytokines, proteins, and peptides designed to nourish your hair at the root. 

Unlike PRP treatments for hair loss, Z-Factors eliminate the need for blood draws and injections, making it a more convenient option. Z-Factors can be used alone or as part of a broader hair restoration plan.

KeraLase

We also offer KeraLase, a cutting-edge treatment that combines laser therapy with a unique serum. KeraLase uses lasers to create microchannels in the scalp, allowing the serum to penetrate deeply and support hair regrowth. 

What About A Hair Transplant?

When it comes to permanent hair restoration, hair transplants are often the most effective solution. At Ziering Medical, we specialize in two leading techniques: FUE and MDEE (formerly FUT)

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

FUE is a minimally invasive hair transplant technique. In an FUE procedure, the donor area (usually the back or sides of the scalp) where the hair is genetically programmed to be permanent is shaved short, the individual hair follicles are carefully extracted one at a time, and then implanted into recipient sites created by your hair transplant surgeon in the thinning or balding areas. 

Since the FUE hair transplant procedure doesn’t require the removal of a strip of scalp tissue, it only leaves tiny, barely visible pinpoint scars. This makes FUE a popular choice for people who prefer to keep their hair short or to avoid having a linear scar. Also, it may be a good  choice especially for patients needing smaller or highly customized areas of restoration.

Microscopically Dissected Elliptical Excision (MDEE)

MDEE (formerly FUT) involves shaving the hair short only where the elliptical-shaped strip of tissue will be surgically removed from the donor area. This strip of donor tissue is slivered and then microscopically dissected into the individual naturally occurring follicular units of 1 – 4 hairs. While the Tech Team is dissecting the hair grafts, your hair surgeon is creating the tiny recipient sites in which your grafts will be meticulously placed at the proper angle, orientation and direction. 

While MDEE does leave a nearly invisible linear scar at the donor site, it’s hidden by the surrounding hair and tends to be a better option for patients who require a larger number of grafts in one session or for patient who do not want to shave the entire back and sides of their head for the donor hair harvest step of the hair transplant procedure. 

MDEE allows for more efficient harvesting of follicles, making it highly effective for addressing extensive hair loss in fewer procedures. It is the top choice for female hair restoration patients and an ideal procedure for eyebrow transplants because the donor grafts are left long, making it much easier to leverage the natural curve of your hair while selecting and placing each hair graft into each recipient site to deliver impeccable results. 

Bring Back Your Confidence—Schedule a Private Consultation. 

If hair loss is affecting your personal relationships, social life, or even your confidence at work, it’s time to explore your options for slowing down your hair shedding or restoring your hair loss with a hair transplant procedure.  

At Ziering Medical, our hair loss specialists will assess your hair loss, discuss your goals, and recommend the best treatment options to help you restore your hair and your confidence.

Whether you’re considering nonsurgical therapies, hair transplants, or a combination of treatments, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Call us today to book your hair transformation consultation and take the first step toward regaining your hair and confidence. 

We serve patients all over the greater Tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut as well as the greater Southern California area from Los Angeles and Beverly Hills to Newport Beach and San Diego and Northern California from San Francisco to San Jose. 

Frequently Asked Questions