01
Pattern
What type of change is happening?
Shedding, gradual thinning, recession, patchy loss, breakage, or another pattern.
Hair & Scalp Dermatology · NYC
Hair Loss Consultation in New York City
A dermatologist-led evaluation designed to understand why your hair is shedding, thinning, or changing before a treatment plan is selected.
Your visit brings together medical history, hair and scalp examination, digital trichoscopy, and additional testing when it may provide clinically useful information.
The purpose of the consultation
Understand what process may be affecting the hair
and follicles.
Medical evaluation first. Treatment options are considered after the clinical picture is understood.
Physician-Led Evaluation
Hair & Scalp Dermatology
01
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Physician-led hair and scalp evaluation
02
Digital Trichoscopy
FotoFinder imaging when clinically useful
03
Dermatopathology Expertise
Additional perspective for complex cases
Before Treatment
We Need to Answer the Right Questions.
Hair shedding, thinning, and changes in density can look similar while reflecting very different processes.
The first goal is to identify which findings matter before deciding what — if anything — should be treated.
Similar symptoms do not always mean the same diagnosis.
02
Follicles
What do the scalp and follicles show?
Miniaturization, inflammation, scaling, altered follicular openings, or other findings.
03
Contributors
Could another factor be relevant?
Health, medications, nutrition, hormonal changes, weight changes, or hair practices may add context.
04
Activity
Is the process stable or progressing?
Activity and progression can influence treatment priorities and follow-up.
Once these questions are clearer, the consultation can move from concern to a structured clinical assessment.
See What Happens During the ConsultationYour Consultation
What Happens During a Hair Loss Consultation?
Hair loss evaluation is a structured medical process, not a single test.
History, examination, trichoscopy, and selective testing are brought together to understand what may be affecting the hair and scalp.
01
Detailed History
Start With the Timeline.
When did the change begin, how has it progressed, and is the main concern shedding, thinning, recession, breakage, or patchy loss?
02
Hair & Scalp Examination
Look at the Pattern.
Density, distribution, breakage, scaling, inflammation, and other visible findings help guide the next part of the evaluation.
03
Digital Trichoscopy
Examine the Follicles More Closely.
Magnified imaging can reveal miniaturization, follicular openings, hair-shaft variation, and signs of inflammation.
04
Testing When Needed
Add Information Selectively.
Blood work or scalp biopsy may be considered when the findings raise a specific clinical question that needs clarification.
05
Clinical Assessment
Bring the Findings Together.
The information is interpreted as a whole to determine the most likely process and the appropriate next step.
Not every patient needs every test. The evaluation is guided by what the history, examination, and trichoscopy actually show.
Digital Trichoscopy · FotoFinder
Seeing More Than the Naked Eye Can Show.
Trichoscopy provides a magnified view of the hair, follicles, and scalp and can reveal findings that may not be obvious during visual examination alone.
These images are interpreted together with the patient's history and clinical examination. A trichoscopic image provides evidence — it is not a diagnosis by itself.
Clinical Imaging
Examples of Magnified Scalp Findings
01
01 · Scalp Inflammation
Psoriasis
Psoriasis of the scalp. Scaling and focal bleeding seen on dermoscopy.
02 · Active Hair Loss
Alopecia Areata
Black dots and yellow dots, as well as miniaturized hair – signs of active alopecia areata.
03 · Regrowth Pattern
Alopecia Areata
Miniaturized hair and thin pigtail re-growing hair in alopecia areata.
04 · Perifollicular Inflammation
LPP / FFA
Lichen planopilaris / Frontal fibrosing alopecia. Dermoscopy demonstrates inflammation around hair follicles.
The appearance of a single image is not enough to establish a diagnosis. Similar findings may occur in different conditions and must be interpreted in clinical context.
What the Dermatologist Evaluates
Trichoscopy helps organize subtle findings into patterns that can support the clinical diagnosis.
01
Hair Density
Digital imaging can document how density and follicular distribution differ between areas of the scalp.
02
Hair Shaft Diameter
Variation in shaft thickness and the presence of progressively finer hairs can provide useful diagnostic information.
03
Follicular Openings
The appearance and preservation of follicular openings can help distinguish different hair-loss processes.
04
Inflammation & Scale
Redness, scaling, and perifollicular changes may provide clues when inflammatory or scarring disorders are being considered.
05
Changes Over Time
Stored digital images can create a reference point for comparing findings at future evaluations.
Clinical Principle
Trichoscopy adds evidence.
The diagnosis comes from interpreting
the entire clinical picture.
Imaging Is One Layer of the Evaluation
Physician-led evaluation
Schedule a Hair Loss Consultation
Seeing the Detail Matters. Understanding the Detail Matters More.
Additional Testing
Testing Is Selective, Not Automatic.
Not every patient with hair loss needs the same laboratory tests — and many do not need a scalp biopsy.
Additional testing is considered when it can help answer a specific clinical question or clarify the next step.
01
Laboratory Testing
Blood Work When It Adds Information.
The history and examination help determine whether laboratory evaluation for a possible systemic contributor is appropriate.
A
Iron Status & Anemia
When deficiency or anemia is clinically relevant.
B
Thyroid Function
When the history or symptoms suggest it may matter.
C
Nutritional Factors
After relevant dietary or significant weight changes.
D
Hormonal or Systemic Evaluation
When supported by the clinical picture.
There is no single universal blood panel for every patient with hair loss.
02
Microscopic Evaluation
Scalp Biopsy When the Diagnosis Needs More Clarity.
Biopsy may be considered when the diagnosis remains uncertain or when clinical findings raise concern for an inflammatory or scarring process.
01
More Than One Diagnosis Is Possible
Microscopy can provide another layer of diagnostic information.
02
Inflammation Is Suspected
Especially when examination or trichoscopy shows inflammatory changes.
03
Scarring Alopecia Is a Concern
Histopathology may help characterize a process affecting the follicles.
Dermatology + Dermatopathology
Microscopic findings make the most sense
when interpreted with the clinical picture.
The purpose of testing is not to collect more data. It is to obtain information that may change the clinical assessment or next decision.
Why Your History MattersYour History Matters
The Story Around the Hair Matters Too.
Hair changes are interpreted in the context of your health, timeline, medications, family history, nutrition, and hair practices.
These details can provide important clues — but they only become meaningful when they fit what is seen during examination and trichoscopy.
A possible trigger is not automatically the diagnosis. Context helps determine which factors deserve clinical significance.
Clinical Context
Why It May Matter
01
Family & Genetics
Family Patterns
Family history and age of onset can provide context when evaluating gradual thinning, density changes, or a changing hairline.
02
Health & Medications
Timing & Medical History
Illness, medication changes, hormonal changes, or other health events may be relevant when their timing corresponds with changes in the hair.
03
Nutrition & Weight
Changes in Intake
Restrictive diets, significant weight changes, or nutritional concerns may help determine whether additional evaluation is appropriate.
04
Hair Practices
Styling & Hair-Shaft Stress
Traction, extensions, heat, and chemical processing can contribute to breakage or influence the pattern seen during examination.
History provides context. Examination provides evidence. The two are interpreted together before a clinical plan is developed.
What You Leave the Consultation WithAfter the Evaluation
A Consultation Should End With a Clearer Direction.
The purpose of the visit is not simply to collect information — it is to decide what the findings mean and what should happen next.
Depending on the clinical picture, the next step may involve treatment, additional evaluation, observation, or structured follow-up.
01
Clinical Assessment
What Is Most Likely Happening?
History, examination, trichoscopy, and available test results are interpreted together to identify the process that best explains the findings.
02
Testing Plan
Is More Information Needed?
If another test could meaningfully clarify the assessment, the reason for that next step can be discussed.
03
Treatment Strategy
What Should Be Addressed First?
When the clinical picture is sufficiently clear, treatment priorities and appropriate options can be discussed.
04
Follow-Up Plan
How Will Progress Be Reassessed?
Follow-up may help determine whether the condition is stable, progressing, or responding to treatment over time.
The Clinical Goal
Start with the evaluation
Schedule a Hair Loss Consultation
Not every patient needs every test or every treatment.
The plan should reflect the diagnosis, the activity of the condition, the clinical findings, and the individual patient.
Who Will Be Evaluating You?
Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, PhD
Board-Certified Dermatologist · Dermatopathologist
Hair loss evaluation requires more than identifying whether hair appears thinner.
The goal is to understand the pattern, examine the scalp and follicles, determine whether inflammation or another process may be present, and decide which additional information is actually useful.
“With hair loss, my first goal is to understand which process is actually affecting the follicles.”
Clinical Perspective
Why Dermatopathology Matters
01
Clinical Examination
Hair density, scalp findings, distribution, and pattern are evaluated in context.
02
Trichoscopy
Magnified follicular findings can add another layer of information to the examination.
03
Microscopic Context
When biopsy is needed, dermatopathology adds perspective to complex inflammatory or scarring hair-loss cases.
01
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Physician-led medical hair loss evaluation
02
Dermatopathologist
Additional perspective when microscopic evaluation matters
03
Hair & Scalp Focus
Clinical examination, trichoscopy and longitudinal assessment
Hair Loss Consultation FAQ
Before Your Visit. What Patients Often Ask.
You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis or a complete workup already performed.
The consultation is designed to determine which information is useful, what may need further evaluation, and what the appropriate next step should be.
Helpful to Bring
Previous laboratory results, biopsy reports,
medication lists, and relevant treatment history
can provide useful context.
01 How should I prepare for a hair loss consultation?
No extensive preparation is required. It can be helpful to think about when the hair changes began, whether the problem is mainly shedding, thinning, recession, breakage, or patchy loss, and whether anything changed around the same time.
02 Should I wash my hair before the appointment?
In most cases, the scalp should simply be in its usual condition. Avoiding heavy styling products, fibers, powders, or products that obscure the scalp can make examination and trichoscopy easier.
03 Should I bring previous blood tests or biopsy results?
Yes, when available. Previous laboratory results, pathology reports, photographs, medication lists, and details of treatments already tried may help provide additional clinical context and avoid unnecessary repetition of testing.
04 Does everyone with hair loss need blood work?
No. Laboratory testing is selected according to the history, examination, shedding pattern, medical background, and suspected diagnosis. There is no single universal blood panel required for every patient with hair loss.
05 Does everyone need a scalp biopsy?
No. A scalp biopsy may be considered when the diagnosis remains uncertain or when examination and trichoscopy raise concern for an inflammatory or scarring process. Many hair-loss conditions can be evaluated without biopsy.
06 What is digital trichoscopy?
Digital trichoscopy is magnified imaging of the hair, follicles, and scalp. It can help document features such as hair shaft variation, miniaturization, follicular openings, scale, and signs of inflammation. The findings are interpreted together with the clinical examination.
07 Can more than one type of hair loss be present at the same time?
Yes. Different processes can overlap. For example, increased shedding may occur in someone who also has pattern hair loss, and inflammatory disease may coexist with another form of alopecia. Recognizing overlap can change treatment priorities.
08 Will treatment options be discussed during the consultation?
When the clinical picture is sufficiently clear, appropriate treatment options and follow-up can be discussed. If additional testing is needed first, the consultation can instead define what information should be obtained before finalizing the treatment plan.
Still Unsure?
You do not need to determine the diagnosis before making the appointment.
Hair Loss Consultation · New York City
Dermatology Circle
Your Evaluation Is the First Clinical Step.
You do not need to know why your hair is shedding, thinning, or changing before making an appointment.
The purpose of the consultation is to determine which findings matter, whether further evaluation is needed, and what the appropriate next step should be.
01
Dermatologist-Led
Medical hair & scalp evaluation
02
Digital Trichoscopy
Magnified follicular assessment when useful
03
Individualized Evaluation
Testing guided by the clinical findings
Hair & Scalp Dermatology
Upper East Side
New York City