Preparing for your hair loss appointment can help your dermatologist, doctor or cosmetic specialist effectively diagnose and potentially treat your condition. Before you're examined, you won't have to do much, but it's important that you do what you can to expedite your treatment.
Observe Your Symptoms
The most important part of the preparation process is observing your symptoms so that you can accurately report them to your doctor during your hair loss appointment. Your doctor will want to know when you first noticed bald patches or a significant number of hairs falling out. She'll also want to know if the hair loss has been progressive and continuous since then, or if you've noticed periods in which your hair seems to be regrowing. You should also share if any members of your family to whom you're genetically related have experienced significant loss of hair, and at what ages or if anyone in your family has had alopecia.
You will also want to take note of any sicknesses you had or medications you started shortly before or around the same time you first noticed symptoms. Sometimes illnesses and medications can cause loss of hair as a side effect. Any significant changes in your diet, vitamins you've begun or stopped taking, new shampoo or soap you've started using, or new types of physical activity you began at the time you first noticed symptoms are also of import.
Prepping Your Scalp
Your doctor will also take a look at your scalp during your appointment, so you'll want to prepare your scalp accordingly. Because the amount of oil in your scalp may play a factor in your hair loss, do not shampoo your hair for a couple of days prior to your appointment, unless your doctor advises you to do so.
