TE Nov-March, then end of May - right now losing hair again, does this look like AGA or just TE?

Question

Long story short I had TE last nov-March after giving birth/stress. It started growing back great and my thin spots filled in. However end of May - right now have been losing a lot of hair again. Had stressful event end of March happen. Dermatologist did scalp biopsy which only said non scaring alopecia. So he don’t know if it’s just TE or TE+AGA. I’m concerned because my front of hairline is so sparse. Does this look like AGA or could it still be only TE?

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. Based on your concerns, I recommend treatment with PRP and/or Exosome injections. Hair restoration treatments like PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and exosome injections can be quite beneficial. PRP involves drawing a small amount of your blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting it into the scalp. This procedure can stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth by increasing blood supply and delivering growth factors directly to the affected areas. On the other hand, exosome injections are a more advanced option, utilizing exosomes—tiny vesicles that carry proteins and genetic material—to facilitate cellular regeneration and repair. These injections can enhance the regenerative process and potentially improve hair density and health more efficiently. Both treatments can complement each other and are often used in combination to maximize results, especially in cases where traction alopecia has led to significant hair loss. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

AGA and TE are not distinguished from a photo. Rather they are distinguished in your situation with three things: a full review of the story, a good trichoscopic examination and review of your biopsy. I suspect the clinical examination will be helpful.

However, if you have had a biopsy and if it was done properly the answer may lie here. if you got your biopsy with horizontal sections then you should review with your doctor the biopsy results- especially the Terminal to vellus ratio and the percentage of hairs in telogen. A telogen percentage above 15-20 % does suggest some degree of TE. a terminal to vellus ratio less than 4:1 suggests AGA. Please don’t forget that many many women have both TE and AGA. So it’s not so much “which” one do I have but do I have both? If your biopsy was done with vetical sections then this information is not as readily available

TE Nov-March, then end of May - right now losing hair again, does this look like AGA or just TE?

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TE Nov-March, then end of May - right now losing hair again, does this look like AGA or just TE?

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.