Hair & Nail CONDITIONS

The health of your hair and nails can be an important indicator of the health of your whole body. Hair loss, brittle nails, and uncomfortable skin conditions can also cause significant distress and embarrassment. If you are experiencing any trouble with your hair, nails, or skin, it’s important to visit your Atlanta dermatologist about it.

Dermatologist hair loss treatments can provide relief and a better outlook on life. We can diagnose and treat troubling hair and nail conditions and help you find out why you may be experiencing them, so that any systemic health conditions can also be treated for an overall healthier body and mind. Here at Georgia Skin Specialists, we treat all of the following hair, nail, and skin problems and more.

Hair Loss

An average, a healthy person may lose between 50 to 200 hairs each day through natural hair follicle cycles of growth and regeneration. However, if you notice that you lose more hair than seems normal for you, or that you have developed unusual thinning or bald spots, it’s time to see a dermatologist for further evaluation and treatment.

NEW! We’re excited to now offer restorative PRP Hair Treatments. Schedule a consultation and discover how this latest treatment option can restore your hair’s natural vitality.

Some hair loss conditions we treat include the following:

Telogen Effluvium

This condition is characterized by hair loss from the top of the scalp (usually temporary) that occurs because of trauma, shock, or stress that interrupts the hair follicle growth cycle mentioned previously. Anagen slows down significantly and many hair follicles enter the resting phase (telogen), meaning that hair loss increases. In addition to extreme stress, telogen effluvium may also be caused by poor nutrition (especially a lack of B-vitamins, iron, zinc and protein), sudden weight loss, hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, childbirth and menopause, metal toxicity, certain medications and autoimmune disorders impacting the thyroid gland. Effectively treating telogen effluvium involves diagnosing and treating the underlying causes so that the hair follicles can return to their normal growth cycle.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Although androgenetic alopecia is also commonly called “male-pattern baldness”, it is a common form of hormone-induced hair loss for men and women alike. Men typically have the receding hairline and thinning at the top of the crown. Women with Androgenetic Alopecia experience thinning hair more pronounced in the midline. Some women who have this condition may also have an increased tendency toward polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS, which may also lead to symptoms such as acne, irregular periods, weight gain, and hair growing in unwanted areas.

The providers at Georgia Skin Specialists have many treatments to offer patients with Androgenetic Alopecia and are ready to help with your hair loss.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles resulting in hair loss. Although hair loss with this condition can come anywhere on the body, it’s most commonly noticed on the SCALP and face. Alopecia Areata ranges from circular patchy areas of hair loss to more generalized loss that impacts the entire body. The providers at Georgia Skin Specialists are excited to offer cutting edge treatments to help you get your Alopecia Areata under control.

CCCA (Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia)

CCCA starts as a radiating hair loss from the crown of the head, rotating out in a circular pattern. Unfortunately, CCA leads to permanent hair loss due to damage to the hair follicles. The key to handling CCCA is early detection, which can help slow the progression of this disease. The hair loss at the crown of the head is often accompanied by tingling, burning, pain, or itching, but not always. Our dermatologist will take a biopsy to detect follicle scarring. Anti-inflammatory medications and topical applications can reduce this inflammation and hair loss, as well as gentle hair grooming practices.

Unwanted Hair (Hirsutism)

Hirsutism is excessive, unwanted hair growth in women in areas where men normally grow more hair, such as the chest, back, and face. Stiff, dark body hair may appear in these areas in women due to an increase in androgens (male hormones), which can be a sign of hormonal imbalances and conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing syndrome (from excess levels of the stress hormone cortisol), or congenital adrenal hyperplasia (a genetic condition of the adrenal glands). Some medications can cause excess, unwanted hair growth in women, and In rare cases, tumors of the adrenal glands or ovaries may cause hirsutism as well.

Nail Conditions

Nail conditions occur from a variety of factors including diet, physical trauma, infections, inflammatory conditions, and benign or cancerous growths. Patients may notice changes in the color, shape, or texture of their nails. The providers at Georgia Skin Specialists have the expertise required to diagnose and treat nail conditions. Please call for an appointment.

A dark streak under the nail—This can be a sign of melanoma or skin cancer. See your dermatologist immediately.

Onycholysis—The finger or toenail starts to lift up from the nail bed. This can indicate trauma to the nail, fungal infection, or psoriasis.

Redness or swelling around a fingernail—This can indicate a bacterial infection that requires treatment.

Greenish or blackish nails—This can indicate an infection under the nail, requiring treatment.

Pitted fingernails—Pitted nails can indicate a systemic disease such as psoriasis, dermatitis, or any one of the different types of alopecia

Yellow nails—Yellow nails can indicate serious problems such as rheumatoid arthritis or lung disease, or something like wearing red nail polish without a base coat. It can also indicate an infection. If the nails grow very slowly or start to thicken, this can indicate systemic health concerns you need to have diagnosed and treated.

Deep nail grooves (Beau lines)—If they run along the nail from tip to cuticle, this isn’t usually a problem. If the grooves run from right to left across your nail, it indicates that something caused your nails to stop growing for a time, whether because of severe stress, disease, illness, or medical treatment such as chemotherapy or traumatic injury.

Excessively thick nails—Also called “ram’s horn nails”, this is a condition that can be genetic, or an indicator of circulatory disease, psoriasis, or other problems.

Depressed or spoon-shaped nails—If your nails are growing concave like a spoon, this can indicate an iron deficiency or other nutritional absorption problems that indicate gastrointestinal issues.

If you notice any other troubling or painful changes in your finger or toenails, please schedule an appointment by calling (404) 352-1730.

Dermatologist Treatments for Hair and Skin Conditions

At Georgia Skin Specialists in Atlanta, we have a team of experienced, caring dermatologists and expert staff who can accurately diagnose, treat, and help provide relief from various skin, hair, and nail conditions. Don’t continue to suffer, especially when these conditions may indicate a more serious, underlying cause. Call us to schedule an appointment today, or click below to book online.