Viviscal Professional: Your Drug-Free Solution to Hair Thinning and Pattern Hair Loss
This month, we’re recognizing Hair Loss Awareness Month by introducing one of the latest technologies in hair loss treatment: Viviscal Professional. This supplement is a drug-free solution to hair thinning and pattern baldness, sold exclusively through medical professionals, and available in our office now. But more on that soon. First, let’s talk about what brought you here.
If you’re reading this, you may be struggling to pinpoint whether the hair thinning or hair loss you’re experiencing is a medical condition or simply stress-related. Let us help by answering some frequently asked questions about pattern hair loss.
What are the types of hair loss?
There are a significant number of possible explanations for why your hair is thinning or shedding—from stress to post-pregnancy to age to autoimmune conditions—which is why it’s important to visit your dermatologist if you’re concerned. Today, we’re deep-diving into just three of the common types of hair loss conditions: alopecia areata, traction alopecia, and frontal fibrosing alopecia. Refer to this post for an overview of other reasons why your hair may be falling out.
Patchy Hair Loss (Alopecia Areata)
This is an autoimmune condition that occurs in both men and women where the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles leaving small, oval, bald patches. The patches may meet one another and cause larger areas of hair loss. Sometimes this condition is seen in association with other autoimmune conditions including vitiligo, thyroid disease, or diabetes.
Patchy hair loss is incredibly common, affecting nearly 7 million people in the United States, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (healthline.com).
To diagnose alopecia areata, our board-certified dermatologists may:
- ask about your health history
- examine your hair under a microscope
- take a blood sample to test for autoimmune conditions
- order a scalp biopsy
- perform a vitamin D deficiency test
Traction Alopecia
This is a hair loss condition commonly affecting women who wear hairstyles that repeatedly pull on their hair. Some causes include wearing your hair in a tight ponytail, bun, or braids, excessive heat or chemicals on your hair, and frequent use of extensions or weaves. Healthline.com explains that men can also experience traction alopecia by twisting their beards too tightly.
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
This condition is a form of lichen planopilaris that is characterized by a receding hairline or scarring on the scalp, commonly near the forehead. Frontal fibrosing alopecia affects both men and women, most often between the ages of 19 to 65. With early diagnosis and proper medical treatment from a board-certified dermatologist, it’s possible to stop frontal fibrosing alopecia in its tracks.
What are the signs of hair loss?
Many people don’t realize that our hair undergoes a four-phase growth cycle with different phases lasting from as little as 10 days to as long as 8+ years. Let’s take a look at the four phases of a healthy hair growth cycle:
- Phase 1: Anagen, or the growing phase, can last two to eight years and determines the length of our hair. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this phase generally refers to about 85-90 percent of the hair on our head.
- Phase 2: Catagen, or the transition phase, lasts about 10 days during which the hair follicle shrinks.
- Phase 3: Telogen, or the resting phase, lasts about three months. Around 10-15 percent of hairs are in this phase. While the old hair is resting, a new hair begins the growth phase (Phase 1).
- Viviscal Professional notes a fourth phase: Exogen. This new hair phase is part of the resting phase where the old hair sheds and a new hair continues to grow in its place.
Because of this growth cycle, it’s perfectly normal to shed an average of 50 to 100 hairs per day.
Other signs of hair loss can include:
- a receding hairline
- your brush or comb collecting more hair than usual
- an inordinate amount of hair clogging your shower drains
- clumps of hair on your pillowcase
- pain or itching
When should I see a doctor?
Many causes of hair loss—such as high levels of stress, hormone changes, or pregnancy—can lead to temporary hair shedding or hair loss. And while this change usually isn’t permanent, it can be bothersome and shake your confidence. Luckily, there are dermatologist-approved remedies for this, so we recommend scheduling an appointment if you’re unsure.
On the other hand, if the part in your hair is widening, you find bald spots, or you’re shedding more than 125 hairs per day, you should see a dermatologist to determine whether there’s an underlying issue.
No matter the diagnosis, it’s important to remember you’re not alone, which means there are various solutions. The Ferrara Dermatology team is committed to helping you find the solution that suits you best.
Tell me more about Viviscal Professional.
We’ve come a long way from snake oil. Today, steroid injections and laser and light therapy are common treatments for hair loss. But not everyone wants to undergo these treatments. Now, our team is offering Viviscal Professional: a drug-free supplement for anyone who wants thicker, fuller, and more beautiful hair.
Viviscal Professional supplements include a “proprietary AminoMar® marine complex, plus a blend of vital nutrients — including Biotin, Vitamin C, and Apple Extract — that promote existing hair growth.*” Take two tablets per day and you can expect to see results in as little as three months.
These hair growth supplements enter your bloodstream to nourish hair follicles from the inside out. In turn, they prolong the hair growth cycle, making hair appear thicker.
Will Viviscal Professional dietary supplements work for me?
Viviscal Professional Before & After
There are many factors that can cause hair loss, so we recommend that you consult with our board-certified dermatologists before beginning any dietary supplement or treatment method. Viviscal Professional dietary supplements have been proven to work in clinical studies, including a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled scientific research program, which demonstrated an 18.3 percent reduction in hair shedding and a 7.4 percent increase in hair thickness over a six-month period. Visit viviscalprofessional.com for more information on the clinical studies conducted on Viviscal Professional.
How do I get started with Viviscal Professional?
If you are concerned about hair loss, contact the Ferrara Dermatology Clinic at 313-884-5100 to schedule your consultation. During this consultation, our team will design a fully customized treatment plan to address your hair loss concerns and determine the most effective option for you.
*Statements not evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.