Hair Loss (Alopecia)
Millions of men and women suffer from hair loss. We'll act quickly to retain and restore as much of your hair as possible.
Personalized care for hair loss
Hair loss can affect anyone — men, women, and children. Whether you’ve noticed gradual thinning, a widening part, sudden shedding, hair breakage or distinct bald patches, changes in your hair can impact both your appearance and your confidence. The good news is that many forms of hair loss can be treated, especially when addressed early.
Led by Dr. Chynna Steele Johnson, a board-certified dermatologist, the Steele Dermatology team provides personalized evaluation and treatment for many types of alopecia and hair disorders. We take the time to understand the cause of your hair loss before recommending an individualized treatment plan designed to support healthier hair growth and long-term scalp health.
With convenient locations in Buckhead and Alpharetta, we provide trusted dermatologic care using advanced diagnostic techniques and evidence-based treatment options.
What is alopecia?
Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss. While losing some hair every day is a normal part of the hair growth cycle, excessive shedding or thinning may indicate an underlying condition that deserves medical attention.
Hair loss can develop gradually over time or occur suddenly. It may affect only the scalp or involve the eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, or other areas of the body. Some types of alopecia are temporary, while others can become permanent without appropriate treatment.
Because many different conditions can lead to hair loss, an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment.
Signs you should see a dermatologist
Schedule an evaluation if you notice these alopecia symptoms
- Increased daily hair shedding
- A widening part or thinning crown
- Receding hairline
- Round or patchy areas of hair loss
- Hair that breaks easily
- Itching, burning, scaling, or tenderness of the scalp
- Hair loss following illness or significant stress
- Changes to your eyebrows or eyelashes
Early evaluation often provides the greatest opportunity to slow progression and preserve existing hair.
Hair loss treatment, at a glance
Treatment depends on the specific type of alopecia, its severity, and your overall health. Dr. Johnson or a certified physician assistant will recommend an individualized treatment plan that aligns with your diagnosis and goals.Treatment options may include:
Topical Medications
Prescription or over-the-counter topical treatments may help stimulate hair growth or reduce inflammation affecting the hair follicles.
Oral Medications
For some patients, oral medications may help slow hair loss, support regrowth, or address underlying hormonal or inflammatory causes.
Corticosteroid Therapy
Patients with alopecia areata or inflammatory scalp conditions may benefit from corticosteroid injections or topical medications to reduce immune activity and encourage regrowth.
Address Underlying Conditions
Correcting nutritional deficiencies, managing thyroid disease, treating scalp inflammation, or adjusting medications may improve hair growth over time.
Long-Term Monitoring
Some forms of alopecia require ongoing management rather than a one-time treatment. Regular follow-up allows us to monitor progress and adjust your treatment as your condition changes.
Hair Loss FAQs
Hair loss is not one-size-fits-all, which is why a careful evaluation is essential.
At Steele, your dermatology team may:
- Review your medical history
- Discuss recent illnesses, medications, or lifestyle changes
- Examine your scalp and hair
- Evaluate patterns of hair loss
- Perform a gentle hair pull test
- Recommend laboratory testing when appropriate
- Perform a scalp biopsy in select cases to confirm the diagnosis
Our goal is to determine why you’re losing hair, not simply treat the symptom.
Hair loss is often the result of multiple contributing factors. During your consultation, we’ll ask about your medical history, family history, medications, lifestyle, and overall health.
Common causes include:
- Genetics
- Hormonal changes
- Autoimmune conditions
- Thyroid disorders
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Physical or emotional stress
- Pregnancy and postpartum changes
- Certain medications
- Scalp inflammation or infection
- Aging
Identifying the underlying cause allows us to recommend treatment that best fits your situation.
At Steele, our dermatology team diagnose and treat many forms of hair loss, including:
Androgenetic alopecia: Often called male or female pattern hair loss, this is the most common form of alopecia. It develops gradually due to a combination of genetics and hormones, causing thinning along the crown, temples, or part line.
Alopecia areata: This autoimmune condition causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy hair follicles, resulting in smooth, round patches of hair loss. Hair may regrow on its own, but recurrence is common.
Telogen effluvium: Stress, illness, surgery, childbirth, significant weight loss, medications, or nutritional deficiencies can cause more hairs than usual to enter the resting phase of the hair cycle, leading to noticeable shedding several months later.
Scarring alopecia: Some inflammatory conditions permanently damage hair follicles and replace them with scar tissue. Early diagnosis and treatment are especially important to help preserve remaining hair.
No. Many forms of alopecia are temporary or reversible when the underlying cause is identified and treated. Others can often be slowed or managed with appropriate medical care.
Most people naturally shed between 50 and 100 hairs each day. If you’re noticing significantly increased shedding, visible thinning, or bald patches, it’s time to schedule an evaluation.
Yes. Physical or emotional stress can trigger temporary hair shedding known as telogen effluvium. Hair often begins to recover after the underlying trigger has resolved, although regrowth may take several months.
Some forms, including androgenetic alopecia, have a strong genetic component. Family history is one of many factors your dermatologist considers during your evaluation.
That depends on the type of alopecia. Many patients experience improvement with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, while some forms of hair loss require ongoing management to preserve existing hair.
Stronger, healthier hair begins with expert care
Hair loss can have many causes, and effective treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis and addressing the symptoms early.
Dr. Johnson and the dermatology team combine medical expertise with a thoughtful, personalized approach. Patients throughout Buckhead, Alpharetta, and the surrounding communities trust Steele Dermatology for comprehensive skin and hair care delivered with precision, compassion, and honesty.
Schedule your consultation with Steele Dermatology today.
Request an appointment
Schedule online, call (770) 464-6000 or text us, and one of our specialists will assist you.
