Hair Loss
Losing your hair can feel isolating. The good news is that most causes of hair loss are treatable, and the earlier you address it, the more options you have.
Whether it's a gradual thinning across the scalp, a receding hairline, or sudden patches of shedding, hair loss weighs on confidence and self-image. The most important first step is understanding what's driving your hair loss because there are dozens of possible causes, and the right treatment depends entirely on which one applies to you. At Element Dermatology in Sartell, MN, Dr. LaBine assesses hair loss by diagnosing the cause before recommending treatment.
About This Condition
Why Getting the Right Diagnosis Matters
Hair loss isn't a single condition. It's a symptom with many possible underlying causes, and treating it without knowing the cause is often why people spend money on treatments that don't actually work. A dermatologist's assessment helps identify whether the hair loss is androgenetic, inflammatory, autoimmune, nutritional, hormonal, or stress-related, each of which requires a different management approach.
Hair follicles that are thinning but still active respond much better than those that have been dormant for years, so starting treatment early produces better results. If you've noticed your hair thinning, act now and give yourself, your hair, and your confidence the best possible chance.
Common types of hair loss we assess:
Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Hair Loss)
The most common form of hair loss in both men and women is driven by genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes follicles to miniaturize over time. In men, it often presents as a receding hairline and crown thinning. In women, it tends to produce diffuse thinning across the top of the scalp.
Telogen Effluvium
A diffuse shedding that occurs when a physiological stressor (illness, surgery, major weight loss, childbirth, nutritional deficiency, or prolonged stress) pushes a large number of follicles into the resting phase simultaneously. Shedding usually begins two to three months after the trigger, and often resolves on its own once the cause is addressed.
Alopecia Areata
An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles, producing smooth, well-defined patches of hair loss. It can affect the scalp, eyebrows, beard, and body hair, and requires specific medical management. Dr. LaBine and team will assess and discuss the appropriate treatment options.
Traction and Scarring Alopecias
Hair loss caused by physical tension on the follicle from tight hairstyles, or by scarring from inflammatory conditions or injury that permanently damages the follicular structure. These require early intervention, and once follicles are scarred, regrowth isn't possible.
Hair regrowth is a slow process, and PRF is no different. It requires a series of three to four sessions spaced four to six weeks apart for best results, with results becoming visible over four to six months as the growth cycle responds to treatment. Patients who see the most noticeable improvement are those who start treatment while follicles are still active, maintain their sessions consistently, and support the treatment with an appropriate home care routine.
Targeted Treatments
How We Treat Hair Loss
PRF Regenerative Treatments
Platelet-Rich Fibrin, drawn from your own blood, is injected into the scalp to deliver growth factors directly to thinning follicles. 100% naturally derived with no foreign substances or anticoagulant additives. It works well for androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium, supporting follicle health and stimulating regrowth over a series of sessions.
Dermatologist Assessment
Before any treatment, our clinical team conducts a thorough clinical assessment of your hair loss pattern, scalp health, and medical history to determine the cause. This may include a scalp examination, dermoscopy, and discussion of relevant medical and lifestyle factors. The right treatment depends entirely on the diagnosis, so this step is the best place to start.
Schedule Your Hair Loss Consultation Today
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Loss
Is PRF the same as PRP?
expand_more
They're related but different. Both involve drawing the patient's own blood and processing it to concentrate growth factors for injection into the scalp, but the difference is in how the blood is processed after its drawn. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) needs an anticoagulant additive to prevent clotting during processing, while PRF doesn't. It's processed without additives, so it’s 100% derived from your own blood. PRF has a slower, more sustained release of growth factors compared to PRP's faster initial burst, which many practitioners believe produces better long-term results. At Element Dermatology, we use PRF.
Does the injection hurt?
expand_more
Most patients find scalp injections more comfortable than they expected. A topical numbing agent can applied beforehand to reduce discomfort, and the injections are performed with fine needles at shallow depth. Patients often describe it as a series of brief pinches. There's no meaningful downtime, and most patients return to normal activities the same day.
Can PRF regrow hair that’s been gone for years?
expand_more
In most cases, no. PRF works by stimulating follicles that are dormant or weakened but still present. Once a follicle has been absent for many years or has been permanently scarred, there's no follicle structure left to stimulate, which is why early treatment matters. The sooner you address hair thinning, the more follicles are still active and able to respond. If you've had substantial hair loss for a long time, Dr. LaBine and team will give you an honest assessment of what's achievable rather than create unrealistic expectations.
Should I see a dermatologist or a trichologist for hair loss?
expand_more
A board-certified dermatologist is well-positioned to diagnose and treat most forms of hair loss, including common conditions such as androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata. Dermatologists are trained to assess whether hair loss has an underlying medical cause that warrants investigation, order relevant blood work, prescribe topical and oral medications, and perform scalp biopsies when needed. A trichologist is a specialist in hair and scalp health, but is not a medical doctor and cannot prescribe medications or perform biopsies. At Element Dermatology, our treatment options also include topical exosomes and nutritional supplements alongside PRF, giving patients a more comprehensive set of tools to support hair regrowth. For most patients, a dermatologist is the right starting point.