Aura Dermatology

Answers for Your Hair Loss

FP Poetry Project, Sunday, February 5, 2 p.m., Old City Hall, 11 Crosswicks Street, Bordentown.

For more information, contact coworksprojects@gmail.com

Why am I Losing My Hair?! Am I alone? Hair loss (alopecia) is an extremely common problem that affects millions of people in our country. There are two broad categories of hair loss — scarring or non-scarring — with many subtypes within each category. However, the type we tend to see the most is called Androgenetic Alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss). This form of hair loss affects roughly 30 million women and 50 million men at any given time. In male pattern hair loss, by age 25, 25% of men are affected. This number increases to 50% by age 50. In female pattern hair loss, by age 30-49, 17% of women are affected. By age 50-69 this number jumps to 25% of women. What causes Androgenetic Alopecia? Usually there can be a strong genetic component to this form of alopecia from either one’s maternal or paternal side. Additionally, elevated levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are also involved in the pathophysiology of this condition. In women, hormonal imbalances due to pregnancy, menopause, etc, can also play a contributory role. Furthermore, having conditions such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid dysfunction, certain autoimmune diseases, and others may play a significant role in exacerbation of androgenetic alopecia.

What can I use to treat Androgenetic Alopecia?

Most commonly, a combination treatment approach under the guidance of a Board-Certified Dermatology is recommended to achieve optimal results. As this condition is progressive, treatment will have to be for life to maintain results. Common medical treatments include nutraceutical hair vitamins (not just high doses of biotin) that address the various contributing factors to hair loss, minoxidil (which helps to stimulate hair growth), and hormonal medications like finasteride or spironolactone. Additional procedural treatments such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment, low-level light therapy (LLLT), and hair transplantation have shown great results enhancing hair growth by working synergistically with medical treatments.

What’s new in treating Androgenetic Alopecia? Alma TED device is an ultrasound-based system with a proprietary Tip engineered with Impact Delivery that offers a non-invasive, pain-free, in-office treatment option to treat hair loss. Combined with the TED hair care formula, patients can expect to see improvement in hair growth, hair thickness, and hair anchoring (less shedding) while improving its shine and strength.

Hair loss is a very common issue that can have many different causes. It is important to be evaluated by your Board-Certified Dermatologist to develop a treatment plan that is right for you to help achieve optimal results. If you are looking for guidance, look no further than Aura Dermatology in Robbinsville and Somerset, NJ. Let us help you live life in your best skin.

Aura Dermatology at Robbinsville, 17 Main Street, Suite 304, Robbinsville. 609-415-DERM (3376). www.auraderm.com.

Hamilton Area YMCA

At Sawmill Summer Day Camp we have 50 acres of outdoor space, the largest pool in Mercer County, fun activities ranging from sports to crafts and STEM, special events, fun themes and new initiatives! 5 funfilled days for campers to find their spark, find their sense of wonder, find their friends and FIND THEIR ADVENTURE!

• Find Their Spark.

Y camp is a place where kids can develop skills, confidence and new friendships. While camp is a summer rite of passage for kids to play outdoors and learn to swim, they are unknowingly rewarded with personal development skills by participating in their favorite activities and by trying activities they have never tried before. In general, they will leave camp with a stronger sense of identity and a better idea of what they love, which may help them in the classroom, in their relationships and to choose a career path in the future.

• Find Their Sense of Wonder. Kids get to discover all the wonders of the outdoors while making friends and forming memories that will last a lifetime. A recent article from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia stated: “Scheduling time to actively play outdoors sets a natural limit on the amount of time your child can spend with a device (such as TV, smartphone or video game). “It promotes active engagement with their peers and the natural environment, and helps them develop respect for the world