Sydney specialist dermatologist Dr Ritu Gupta was on ABC Radio 702’s Afternoons with Mark Humphries to share her expertise on hair loss and various hair and scalp conditions.
Hair loss can be divided into two types: scarring and non-scarring, according to Dr Ritu. Scarring is the worst type of hair loss, in which hair follicles are destroyed by infections, burns, chemicals, or autoimmune conditions, and hair can never grow back. Non-scarring types are the most common, with male- and female-pattern hair loss the most frequently reported.
Dr Ritu mentioned a recent uptick in patients experiencing hair loss as a result of medical weight loss when hair is shocked during the telogen phase, causing temporary hair loss.
People on testosterone therapy are also prone to hair loss as testosterone can convert to DHT, shrinking the hair follicles, causing hair thinning and eventually hair loss.
Dr Ritu answered calls and texts from listeners of the radio show. Questions were about alopecia areata treatments, minoxidil for hair loss, dandruff treatments, hair loss during perimenopause (senescent alopecia), and hair loss due to hypothyroidism.
Regarding remedies such as licorice root extract for hair loss, Dr Ritu said she had never heard of it and advised listeners to spend their money on products that actually work.
Furthermore, Dr Ritu explained that certain factors, such as stress, new medications, and treatments, may contribute to hair loss. This is why she asks her patients what happened three months ago, giving them ample time to recall events that may have led to their condition.
Listen to the full feature here:
To consult with Dr Ritu, please book online, WhatsApp at 0493 766 096, or call (02) 8014 6500.
