Hair & Nails
My visit with this office was amazing. They were very competent, very nice and very knowledgeable. I will definitely be back...
Dermatologists are your hair and nail experts. When problems arise, we are here to help answer your questions and resolve your concerns.
There are several types of hair loss, or alopecia, which your dermatologist can diagnose and treat. Sometimes a diagnosis can be made clinically and sometimes a biopsy is needed. The most commons types are:
- Alopecia Areata: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp or elsewhere on the body. It affects more than 6.5 million people in the US alone. It usually starts with one or more small round smooth patches of hair loss on the scalp. There are treatments available for AA. Please make an appointment with our dermatologists to determine what is right for you. For education and support, please visit the NAAF.
- Male and Female pattern hair loss: When hair loss is caused by hormones and genetics, it is called “balding.” Male pattern hair loss is characterized by a receding hairline and/or thinning on the front and top of the scalp. Female pattern hair loss is just as common and results in thinning on the top of the scalp but retention of the frontal hairline. Both are treatable.
- Discoid Lupus: Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the skin and around the hair follicle. Discoid lupus usually presents as focal areas of hair loss with redness and scale. It is diagnosed with a skin biopsy. Discoid lupus can be associated with systemic lupus. Because these discoid lesions scar the hair follicles, they can cause permanent hair loss so early diagnosis and intervention is key.
- Telogen Effluvium: Telogen Effluvium (TE) is the second most common form of hair loss that dermatologists see. A normal hair cycle is when hairs grow, rest, fall out, then grow back again. TE happens when the number of hairs in the falling out stage dramatically increase, leading to significant shedding. This will result in thinner hair on the entire scalp. TE has a variety of triggers and generally resolves on its own. A dermatologist can help identify any triggers and make sure there is no other type of hair loss present.
At San Antonio Dermatology, we’re nail specialists. We treat a variety of nail ailments, such as nail dystrophy.Nail dystrophy means a nail is abnormal. Abnormal nails can be caused by a variety of conditions, the most common being tinea (fungal infection), psoriasis and trauma. Nails can also become discolored. Nail discoloration has a variety of causes, but the most serious cause is skin cancer. Melanoma and SCC, as well as normal moles, can occur under the nail and should be monitored for potential mole removal.
At Dermatology San Antonio, we can evaluate your nails to determine the cause of dystrophy or discoloration to determine the appropriate treatment. Give us a call today at (210)-615-7171 to learn more about how we can help you with your hair or nail concerns.
PRP for Hair Loss
“Dermatology San Antonio is pleased to introduce our new in office treatment for hair loss.PRP injections promote hair growth and retard hair loss. “
Hair loss can be an embarrassing issue. Male and female pattern hair loss is a genetic problem that can leave you feeling helpless. Options, like prescription drugs, are often partially effective and carry the potential for unwanted side effects. Surgical hair restoration can be expensive and does not treat the underlying medical problems. Now there is an affordable way for you to improve your hair density without surgery or harmful side effects. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for hair restoration involves a simple injection of your own platelets into the vascular layer of your scalp.
PRP for Hair Regrowth:
- Increases blood supply to the follicle
- Increases shaft size (thickness)
- Triggers and maintains the growth phase
- Controls hair growth cycle
- Decreases hair loss
How PRP Works
Platelets contain healing growth factors. Those growth factors are like signal callers that give instructions to your tissue to regenerate and multiply. This has lead different fields of medicine to utilize PRP for wound healing to speed up recovery time and regrow healthier, stronger tissue. Now doctors have discovered new benefits for hair thickening and regrowth. With PRP for Hair, your growth factors and stem cells work together to reverse the miniaturization of the hair follicle and jumpstarting dormant hair back into the growth stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know if I am a good candidate for PRP? Talk to your physician for a proper diagnosis and to create a treatment plan.
- How many treatments are required? Treatment will vary based on your need. Initially, your provider may recommend several treatments spaced 1 month apart. After the initial treatment, many physicians suggest by maintenance treatments 2-4 times per year.
- Is the PRP for hair restoration process time-consuming? No, collecting the PRP usually only takes 10-15 minutes. And the PRP treatment itself is even faster. It often takes as little as 3-5 minutes.
- Does the procedure hurt? There may be some sensitivity. However, most physicians utilize effective anesthetic solutions, such as cold ambient air or a topical analgesic to minimize any potential discomfort. Talk to your physicians about the right option for you.
- Is there any recovery time? There is no downtime or a long recovery process. You may take a warm shower the evening of the treatment. In addition, it is advised to avoid using any harsh dyes or chemicals on your hair for 48 hours.
- Is this a cure for baldness? PRP is not a cure for baldness (Androgenic Alopecia). The genetic medical problem will always remain. However, there is evidence that regular treatments can significantly slow down the effects of Androgenic Alopecia and works to increase hair density.