Hair Loss Treatment in Clovis & Fresno, CA
Losing your hair can be a deeply personal and distressing experience — whether it happens gradually over years or suddenly over weeks. At Dehesa Dermatology, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Luis A. Dehesa specializes in identifying the root cause of hair loss and developing targeted, evidence-based treatment plans for patients throughout Clovis, Fresno, and the Central Valley. Because hair loss has many different causes — hormonal, autoimmune, nutritional, genetic, and beyond — an accurate diagnosis is the essential first step toward effective treatment.
Understanding Hair Loss
Hair loss, medically termed alopecia, refers to the partial or complete loss of hair from the scalp or other parts of the body. It affects both men and women of all ages and backgrounds. While some hair shedding is completely normal — the average person loses 50 to 100 hairs per day — hair loss becomes a medical concern when shedding exceeds regrowth, when patches of baldness develop, or when the hair line visibly recedes.
Because the hair follicle is a complex and dynamic structure responsive to hormones, inflammation, nutrition, and systemic disease, diagnosing hair loss requires much more than a visual exam. At Dehesa Dermatology, Dr. Dehesa conducts thorough scalp evaluations using dermoscopy (a magnified, lighted examination of the scalp and follicles), detailed patient histories, and laboratory testing to determine the precise type and cause of hair loss before recommending treatment.
Types of Hair Loss We Treat
Our dermatology team has experience diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of hair loss conditions, including:
- Androgenetic Alopecia (Male or Female Pattern Hair Loss): The most common type of hair loss, caused by a hereditary sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In men, it typically presents as a receding hairline and thinning at the crown. In women, it usually manifests as diffuse thinning at the top of the scalp with preservation of the frontal hairline.
- Telogen Effluvium: A diffuse shedding triggered by a physiological stressor such as illness, surgery, significant weight loss, major psychological stress, or hormonal changes including postpartum shifts. Typically temporary, but may require medical evaluation to identify and address the underlying trigger.
- Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing round, patchy areas of hair loss on the scalp or elsewhere on the body. Ranges from small isolated patches to complete scalp or total body hair loss (alopecia totalis and universalis). For patients with significant alopecia areata, our complex medical dermatology expertise and access to the latest JAK inhibitor therapies offer new hope.
- Traction Alopecia: Hair loss caused by chronic tension on hair follicles from tight hairstyles such as ponytails, braids, weaves, or extensions. Can become permanent if not addressed early.
- Trichotillomania: Compulsive hair pulling that damages follicles and causes patchy hair loss, often requiring both dermatologic and psychological support.
- Scarring Alopecia (Cicatricial Alopecia): A group of rare disorders — including lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, and discoid lupus — that permanently destroy hair follicles and replace them with scar tissue. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to halt progression. These cases often benefit from our rheumatology collaboration when autoimmune involvement is present.
- Hair Loss Due to Nutritional Deficiency: Deficiencies in iron, ferritin, zinc, biotin, and vitamin D can contribute to diffuse hair shedding. Our team evaluates nutritional status as part of the hair loss workup.
- Hair Loss Associated with Thyroid or Hormonal Conditions: Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and hormonal imbalances can cause significant hair thinning and shedding — conditions that require laboratory evaluation and treatment of the underlying hormonal issue.
Hair Loss Treatment Options
Treatment at Dehesa Dermatology is always guided by your specific type and cause of hair loss. Options we utilize include:
- Minoxidil (Topical and Oral): The most widely used hair loss treatment, available in topical solutions and foam for both men and women, and increasingly in oral low-dose formulations. Minoxidil prolongs the hair growth phase and can stimulate regrowth in androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium.
- Finasteride and Dutasteride: Oral medications that block DHT production, primarily used for androgenetic alopecia in men. Low-dose finasteride may also be prescribed off-label for women in certain clinical contexts.
- Spironolactone: An anti-androgen medication used for female pattern hair loss, particularly in women with hormonal triggers.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: An in-office treatment in which a small amount of your own blood is drawn, processed to concentrate growth factors, and injected into the scalp to stimulate dormant follicles. PRP is used for androgenetic alopecia and can complement other treatments.
- Corticosteroid Injections: Intralesional steroid injections directly into areas of hair loss, particularly effective for alopecia areata and some inflammatory scarring conditions.
- Topical and Systemic Immunosuppressants: For autoimmune hair loss conditions including alopecia areata, treatments range from topical sensitizers and immunotherapy agents to systemic medications.
- JAK Inhibitors: Newer oral medications (baricitinib, ruxolitinib) now FDA-approved for severe alopecia areata, offering significant regrowth in patients who have not responded to traditional therapies.
- Nutritional Supplementation and Dietary Guidance: Addressing deficiencies identified through laboratory testing to support overall hair health.
Why Choose Dehesa Dermatology for Hair Loss in the Clovis and Fresno Area
Hair loss is a complex field, and the diagnosis matters enormously — the wrong treatment for the wrong type of hair loss wastes time and money at best, and can accelerate the problem at worst. At Dehesa Dermatology, Dr. Dehesa’s extensive training and clinical experience ensure that your hair loss is properly characterized before any treatment is recommended. Our access to advanced diagnostics, in-office procedures, and the latest systemic therapies means you receive truly comprehensive hair loss care — all at one convenient location serving Clovis, Fresno, and the surrounding Central Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Loss Treatment
How do I know what type of hair loss I have?
The only way to accurately determine your type of hair loss is through a professional evaluation by a board-certified dermatologist. Dr. Dehesa at Dehesa Dermatology uses dermoscopy, patient history, and laboratory testing to identify the cause of your hair loss. Different types require very different treatments, so an accurate diagnosis is the most important first step — and the one that makes everything else more effective.
Is hair loss permanent?
Whether hair loss is permanent depends entirely on the type. Androgenetic alopecia and scarring alopecias tend to be progressive without treatment. Telogen effluvium and alopecia areata, on the other hand, often resolve partially or fully — especially with early intervention. The sooner you are evaluated, the more options are available to slow, stop, or reverse your hair loss.
How long does it take to see hair regrowth from treatment?
Hair grows slowly, and most treatments require at least 3 to 6 months before visible regrowth is apparent. Minoxidil and PRP therapy typically show results in 3 to 6 months with consistent use. JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata may show results in as little as 3 months in some patients. Patience and consistency are essential — stopping treatment prematurely is one of the most common reasons patients don’t see full results.
Can stress cause permanent hair loss?
Stress typically triggers telogen effluvium — a diffuse shedding that usually resolves once the stressor is removed or managed. In most cases, this is temporary and hair fully recovers. However, severe or chronic stress can sometimes unmask underlying androgenetic alopecia or worsen autoimmune hair conditions like alopecia areata. If you’re experiencing significant stress-related shedding, an evaluation at Dehesa Dermatology can clarify the cause and determine whether treatment is warranted.
Does Dehesa Dermatology offer PRP for hair loss?
Yes. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for hair loss is available at Dehesa Dermatology. PRP involves drawing a small blood sample, processing it to concentrate growth factors, and injecting it into areas of thinning. It is a safe, natural, in-office procedure that can complement minoxidil and other medical treatments for androgenetic alopecia. Our team can discuss whether you are a good candidate during your consultation.
Are hair loss treatments covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan and condition. Treatments for medically diagnosed conditions such as alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, or hair loss secondary to nutritional deficiency may be covered. Cosmetic treatments for pattern hair loss, such as PRP, are typically not covered. Our team can help you understand what may be covered under your insurance and assist with prior authorizations when applicable. Call (559) 951-9000 for more information.
Do you treat hair loss patients from Fresno?
Yes — we serve patients from Fresno, Clovis, and throughout the greater Central Valley. Our office at 978 N Temperance Ave in Clovis is easily accessible from Fresno, just a short drive via Highway 168. Whether you’re dealing with recent shedding or have been losing hair for years, our team is ready to help you find answers and effective treatment options.