Understanding Hair Loss - Online course Summary - Dr. Jeff Donovan
Jul 21
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Skillmed Institute
Hair Loss
The webinar ‘Understanding hair loss’ took place on June 8th,2023. It introduces Dr. Jeff Donovan, a highly accomplished dermatologist specializing in hair loss treatment. It mentions that he received his medical degree from the University of Ottawa and completed postgraduate clinical training at the University of Toronto.
His research interests include hair loss in women, scarring alopecia, ethnic hair disorders, alopecia areata, and hair transplantation. He works as an independent consultant for various legal issues related to hair loss and is frequently cited in the media for his insights and opinions on hair growth and hair loss.
His research interests include hair loss in women, scarring alopecia, ethnic hair disorders, alopecia areata, and hair transplantation. He works as an independent consultant for various legal issues related to hair loss and is frequently cited in the media for his insights and opinions on hair growth and hair loss.
Hair loss affects millions of individuals all over the globe. It has the potential to be upsetting and detrimental to an individual's self-esteem and confidence. Hair loss may happen to anyone of any age or gender, even though it is most usually linked with becoming older.
The Phases of the Hair Growth Cycle
Since new hair is generated during the anagen phase, this is the active growth phase of the hair follicle. In most cases, it may last anywhere from two to seven years, when the hair shaft will grow roughly one centimeter (0.2 inches) every month. At any one moment, between 85 and 90 percent of the hair on our scalp is in the anagen phase. However, if this phase is interrupted, it might result in hair loss. Some hereditary factors, hormone imbalances, certain drugs, and underlying medical disorders may all disturb the anagen phase of the cell cycle.
The catagen phase is a transitional period typically lasting between two and three weeks. It is also known as the lag phase. During this phase, the hair follicle will contract, stopping the hair's growth. The hair growth cycle will experience a pause in its normal progression for a brief period. In the catagen phase, hair loss is a very unusual occurrence.The telogen phase sometimes called the resting phase, is a period of inactivity for the hair that typically lasts between two and three months.
At any one moment, between 10 and 15 percent of the hair on the scalp is in this phase. The hair follicle enters a state of dormancy known as telogen, during which it waits to shed the current hair strand before transitioning into the anagen phase. Telogen effluvium is a frequent hair loss that occurs when many hair follicles reach the telogen phase of their life cycle earlier. This results in an excessive amount of hair being lost. Telogen effluvium may be triggered by various factors, including but not limited to stress, hormonal changes, dietary deficiencies, disease, and some drugs.
Many people regard the exogen phase as a telogen phase component. It refers to how individual hair strands separate from the scalp. In a regular cycle, shedding happens independently, and new hair grows to replace the lost hair. On the other hand, excessive shedding may occur in certain circumstances, resulting in observable hair thinning and loss.
The catagen phase is a transitional period typically lasting between two and three weeks. It is also known as the lag phase. During this phase, the hair follicle will contract, stopping the hair's growth. The hair growth cycle will experience a pause in its normal progression for a brief period. In the catagen phase, hair loss is a very unusual occurrence.The telogen phase sometimes called the resting phase, is a period of inactivity for the hair that typically lasts between two and three months.
At any one moment, between 10 and 15 percent of the hair on the scalp is in this phase. The hair follicle enters a state of dormancy known as telogen, during which it waits to shed the current hair strand before transitioning into the anagen phase. Telogen effluvium is a frequent hair loss that occurs when many hair follicles reach the telogen phase of their life cycle earlier. This results in an excessive amount of hair being lost. Telogen effluvium may be triggered by various factors, including but not limited to stress, hormonal changes, dietary deficiencies, disease, and some drugs.
Many people regard the exogen phase as a telogen phase component. It refers to how individual hair strands separate from the scalp. In a regular cycle, shedding happens independently, and new hair grows to replace the lost hair. On the other hand, excessive shedding may occur in certain circumstances, resulting in observable hair thinning and loss.
Problems with the Hair Growth Cycle
The webinar provides an overview of various hair loss conditions, their prevalence, and distinctive features. It begins by highlighting the common occurrence of hair loss conditions such as trichotillomania, traction alopecia, and tinea capitis in different populations. Alopecia areata is described as hair loss in patches, and exclamation mark hairs are highlighted as a diagnostic feature.
Telogen effluvium, characterized by excessive hair shedding, is mentioned along with the pull test as a diagnostic tool.It stresses the importance of differentiating alopecias from non-scarring ones, as scarring alopecias result in Stem cell destruction and can lead to permanent hair loss. It also mentions scarring alopecias like lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia.
It emphasizes the importance of recognizing androgenetic hair loss as the primary hair loss condition, with its characteristic patterns of hair thinning.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that results in sudden hair loss because the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles. It has a significant impact on the anagen phase, which in turn disrupts normal hair development. .
Telogen effluvium, characterized by excessive hair shedding, is mentioned along with the pull test as a diagnostic tool.It stresses the importance of differentiating alopecias from non-scarring ones, as scarring alopecias result in Stem cell destruction and can lead to permanent hair loss. It also mentions scarring alopecias like lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia.
It emphasizes the importance of recognizing androgenetic hair loss as the primary hair loss condition, with its characteristic patterns of hair thinning.
Androgenetic alopecia occurs due to hormonal and genetic factors. It affects the anagen phase by progressively shortening it, which results in hair strands that are both thinner and weaker. It emphasizes the presence of miniaturized hairs as a key feature in androgenetic hair loss, distinguishing it from other mimicking conditions.
The webinar also describe traction alopecia, trichotillomania, and scarring alopecias, emphasizing the specific features and diagnostic clues for each condition.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that results in sudden hair loss because the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles. It has a significant impact on the anagen phase, which in turn disrupts normal hair development. .
Histories And Examinations
Dr. Donovan discusses the importance of listening to patient stories and examining their scalps in order to make accurate diagnoses. Histories, examinations, and biopsies are all important pieces of the hair loss puzzle. He stresses the importance of considering multiple diagnoses and the possibility of mimickers. he also suggests ordering additional tests and blood work for related disorders or diseases.
This section mentions five key parts of the patient history: hair loss places, hair loss pace, symptoms, supplements or medicines taken, and shedding.It emphasizes the importance of itching, burning, and discomfort as possible symptoms of a rare ailment. It covers the connection between supplements, medicines, and hair loss, emphasizing that recent medication modifications may be associated with increased hair shedding. The script also states that shedding is common in various disorders, including androgenetic hair loss and telogen effluvium.
This section mentions five key parts of the patient history: hair loss places, hair loss pace, symptoms, supplements or medicines taken, and shedding.It emphasizes the importance of itching, burning, and discomfort as possible symptoms of a rare ailment. It covers the connection between supplements, medicines, and hair loss, emphasizing that recent medication modifications may be associated with increased hair shedding. The script also states that shedding is common in various disorders, including androgenetic hair loss and telogen effluvium.
The script emphasizes the importance of understanding where the hair loss is occurring and the rate at which it is happening.
Treatments for Hair Loss
Dr. Jeff Donovan emphasizes the importance of itching, burning, and discomfort as possible symptoms of a rare ailment. It covers the connection between supplements, medicines, and hair loss, emphasizing that recent medication modifications may be associated with increased hair shedding. The script also states that shedding is common in various disorders, including androgenetic hair loss and telogen effluvium. Frequent hair shedding can be a symptom of major shedding issues, even to the point of discovering hair in food or refrigerators.
Medications
Dr. Donovan trained in the Hairls program at the University of California, San Francisco, under the mentorship of renowned hair dermatologist Dr. Vera Price and guidance from esteemed dermatologist Dr. Walter Unger.He recommends medications authorized by the FDA, such as minoxidil and finasteride, are often used to treat hair loss. Minoxidil is a topical solution that encourages hair growth, while finasteride helps prevent the creation of DHT, which slows down hair loss in males. Both of these treatments are used in conjunction with each other.
Hair Transplantation
Dr. Donovan also works as an independent consultant for various legal issues related to hair loss and is frequently cited in the media for his insights and opinions on hair transplantation.According to him, hair follicles are surgically transplanted from a donor area to balding or thinning areas of the head in both follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). These treatments have the potential to provide outcomes that are both long-lasting and seem natural. LLLT treats hair loss by stimulating hair follicles using laser light.. It is a therapeutic alternative without intrusive procedures and may be carried out at home via portable equipment or in specialist clinics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the script provides a comprehensive overview of different hair loss conditions, their prevalence, and distinctive features.The script reassures that clinical exam skills should not be intimidating, and the focus should be on communicating where the hair loss is occurring and what is observed. The script highlights Dr. Donovan's achievements, including authoring over 40 articles published in research journals, delivering numerous international lectures on hair loss, and receiving international awards for his research and leadership.
Currently, Dr. Donovan serves as the President of the Canadian Hair Loss Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting education and research in hair loss. The script emphasizes distinguishing and identifying specific disorders such as androgenetic baldness, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and scarring alopecias. Key diagnostic clues for each ailment, such as miniaturized hairs, exclamation mark hairs, and the pull test, are highlighted in the script.
Overall, the script is an excellent resource for learning about and acknowledging several hair loss issues.
Currently, Dr. Donovan serves as the President of the Canadian Hair Loss Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting education and research in hair loss. The script emphasizes distinguishing and identifying specific disorders such as androgenetic baldness, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and scarring alopecias. Key diagnostic clues for each ailment, such as miniaturized hairs, exclamation mark hairs, and the pull test, are highlighted in the script.
Overall, the script is an excellent resource for learning about and acknowledging several hair loss issues.
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