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Associates in Dermatology

Hampton Roads Virginia Dermatologist since 1970

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      • William L. Coker, Jr., M.D.
      • Leslie R. Coker, M.D.
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Blog

Is Hair Loss in Woman Normal?

Feb 2, 2015 Dermatologist Blog, Services

A Doctor Explains Female Pattern Thinning and What Steps Could Help Avoid It

Is Hair Loss in Women Normal

Women are often surprised to find they are losing their hair. At drugstores, they will spend untold amounts of money on products that claim to build back volume or reverse the damage of hair loss. One expert, Paradi Mirmirani, a dermatologist and assistant clinical professor at the University of California at San Francisco, explains how hair changes as we age and why we should chow down on protein.

Never Say ‘Bald’

In women, just as in men, the most common type of hair loss, or alopecia, is hereditary thinning. It is popularly believed to be inherited from one’s mother’s side, but actually could come from both parents, says Dr. Mirmirani, who specializes in hair disorders. It is as likely to affect women as men. “Fifty percent of everyone will develop some degree of hereditary hair loss by 50, but it can start as early as age 20 or even the teens,” she says.

In women, the pattern of hereditary thinning is different than in men; it is referred to as female pattern thinning. “Women don’t go bald or have a receding hair line,” she explains. “Instead you might notice some thinning on top of the head as opposed to at the back, or that your scalp is more visible or your pony tail isn’t as thick.”

Everyone experiences a normal five-to-seven-year cycle of growth and shedding of hair. At any given time, 10% of the hair is in the resting phase and not growing; the follicle, or hair root, will push out the old strand with a new, short strand.

Around 100 to 200 strands of hair loss a day is normal. “That is the amount that you should be able to replace daily, and that shedding is fine,” says Dr. Mirmirani.

Stress, such as a death in the family or having a baby, might trigger a normal “shedding episode,” especially for those predisposed to alopecia, according to Dr. Mirmirani.

“But those follicles aren’t dead,” she says. “The hair will recover, but it may take six to nine months.”

Blame Hormones

Woman Hair Loss

Hormonal changes can cause hair loss. In puberty, male hormones, called androgens, kick in for both men and women.

If a woman is genetically predisposed to female pattern thinning, that increase in androgens may encourage the follicles to shrink as early as during her teenage years.

In and around menopause, women’s estrogen goes down, which is the time most women with hair loss start to notice thinning.

Thinning is related to follicle size. “Think of your hair as a plant: That smaller root would cause a smaller plant to grow, so over time you get finer, thinner hair that won’t grow as long,” Dr. Mirmirani says.

Because a woman has gone through as many as eight hair cycles by the time she’s 40, Dr. Mirmirani says, her hair is going to be very different than when she was in her teens—just as her eyes and skin will be different. Still, hair loss is often traumatic.

“Women usually come to me with what I call a ‘midlife hair crisis,’ ” Dr. Mirmirani says. “It may seem dramatic to you when your long, dark hair is all over the bathroom floor. But for the vast majority of women, hair thinning is slow and gradual.” Later in life, around age 60 or 70, aging can typically cause further thinning.

Hair, like nails, is made up of protein, so eating adequate amounts of protein will help keep hair in peak condition.

“I have some vegetarians and vegans who have trouble with hair growth,” says Dr. Mirmirani.

In Treatment

There are over-the-counter treatments for hereditary thinning, such as minoxidil.

“Before you try any product, talk to your doctor to make sure nothing else—medications, recent surgery—is contributing to shedding or loss,” says Dr. Mirmirani. For extreme cases, there are cosmetic and surgical solutions, like transplants.

There is not a lot of data about the effects of supplements, she says, despite pharmacy shelves crowded with products making claims of hair growth. “We know biotin deficiency, which is a very rare genetic disorder, will cause brittle hair. The question is, will biotin supplements help reverse that? Science just doesn’t know yet,” she says.

Steps to treat female thinning as outline by Dr. Leslie R Coker

  1. Minoxidil Foam – Applied once daily (men’s strength) – Can be found at Costco and many other drug stores.
  2. IGROW Helmet – The laser energy proven to stimulate hair growth is visible in the red light spectrum. (https://www.igrowlaser.com/)
  3. Finasteride (Propecia) – oral medication proven helpful for male patterned thinning. This can be a possible treatment for some women.
Article written by HEIDI MITCHELL and first published in the Wall Street Journal on 1/26/2015.  Be sure to view the video that goes along with the article.

Celebrating 50 Years Together

Jan 31, 2015 Dermatologist Blog, Events

Today marks 50 years of marriage for Dr. Williams L. Coker and his wife, Gloria.

Dr. William and Gloria Coker celebrating 50 years of marriage

At the Associates of Dermatology office, we saluted and cheered for them with Sparkling Grape Juice!

Let's Cheer the Cokers!
Happy Anniversary to Dr. William L. Coker and Gloria Coker
Celebrating 50 years of marriage

Gloria wrote and published a poem to commemorate their celebration.  It was first published on her Gloria Coker Fine Art blog.

Love in September

Listen my children, if I can remember,
I’ll tell you story of love in September.
It happened in late nineteen sixty-four

Our country had not as yet geared up for war.
The United States Navy seemed a safe place to be,
Especially if you were under the sea.
So he answered the call of the Submarine Service
Though traveling North made him feel quite nervous.

He’d never set foot on the land of the Yankees
But he got in his Malibu tall, dark, and lanky.
And so he drove North where the winters are brutal
And finding a y’all can be rather futile.

And no one sincerely says “Have a nice day”
And the trees all turn colors and the rivers are gray.
And the food is boiled and quite overdone,
He followed I-95 north to New London.

Little did he know that living up there
Was a girl who’d eventually curl up his hair.
She had a new Bachelor’s of Psychology
And worked at the shipyard in what’s called R and D.

But let me make one thing perfectly clear-
She worked for the money and not for career.
She wasn’t a feminist cause the timing wasn’t right,
So she worked all day and partied all night.

She dated a fellow for almost a year-
A real nice guy, a young engineer.
He had a friend, Waldo, an interesting creature
Who wanted too date her roommate, a teacher.

But the teacher insisted that they double date.
“He has a cute buddy and it might be great!
Your engineer’s gone home so don’t think of you only
His friend is so shy and he must be quite lonely.
I know it’s a blind date but don’t be a fool,
He’s a hick from the South but he’s gone to Med School!!”

The foursome went out for an evening in Groton.
The movie was dull, the nightclub was rotten.
The girl was quite flighty, but the boy was a rock.
And soon they got over the profound culture shock.

Well, their first date was on the fifth of September,
She got her engagement ring end of November.
Since they couldn’t see any reason to tarry,
They went to the Chapel on the 30th of January.

That folks, was fifty years ago and as the songs say
It does seem like it was only yesterday.

On January 30, 1965, Gloria J. Valko of Stratford, CT married William L. Coker, Jr. of Turbeville, SC. He has modified his southern accent and she talks slower.

2015 My Time Women’s Show

Jan 26, 2015 Dermatologist Blog, Events

My Time Womens Show TableWe had a great time meeting so many patients, friends, and neighbors at the My Time Women’s Show on Saturday, January 24, 2015.  We hosted Booth 417 at Hampton Roads Convention Center.

Janine Derkas, Janelle Nance and Magan Katz answered questions and shared about keeping your skin healthy and youthful.

During the show, Associates in Dermatology offered a drawing for a FREE Dermasweep treatment.  Most everyone can enjoy the DermaSweep’s rejuvenation benefits. Typical conditions include:

  • Reducing early aging lines
  • Sun-damaged skin / photo damage
  • Melasma (irregular brown patches)
  • Revitalize dull skin
  • Reduction of fine lines
  • Hyper-pigmentation (brown patches and age spots)
  • Improve and control acne
  • Refine enlarged pores
  • Uneven skin texture
  • Surgical scars
  • Pre-Photodynamic Therapy treatment
  • Improving overall skin health

Free Dermasweep Drawing at the My Time Womens ShowThank you to everyone who entered our drawing for a FREE Dermasweep.  We had so many entries, we decided to offer treatments to THREE winners.

Congratulation to:

  • Shavonne Miles
  • Rebecca Morris
  • Pearl King

 

 

Celebrating Christmas Together

Dec 13, 2014 Dermatologist Blog

It was all fun and games and food at our annual Associates in Dermatology Christmas Party.  Staff and their families are invited to an evening of celebrating the season together.

Here are a few pictures from the evening:

Gloria Coker and Dr. Luke Coker
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2014 Christmas ornament
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Say “So Long” to Your Unsightly Spider Veins with Sclerotherapy

Dec 4, 2014 Dermatologist Blog, Services

Beat Spider Veins

Sclerotherapy is an effective, safe and relatively painless treatnent for reducing spider veins.

What is sclerotherapy?   
Sclerotherapy is a popular method to treat spider veins.  A sclerosing agent is injected into the vein using a fine needle. This solution irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to swell and stick together. A 60-70% reduction of visible veins is an appropriate expectation.

How many treatments will I need?  
The number of treatments differs for each person. The average person needs three to four treatments. The approximate number of treatments will be determined during your initial consultation.  Overall satisfaction with sclerotherapy is very high, but it is important that the injector and the patient have the same expectations. You are not eligible for sclerotherapy if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What to expect during treatment:  
The injections are performed in a doctor’s office. The patient is lying down and treatment area is cleansed.  The solution is injected directly into the vein using a very fine needle. The number of veins injected in one session varies and depends on the size and location of the veins. You will feel some mild discomfort when the veins are injected, and a cramping sensation may be felt for 1 to 2 minutes. The sclerotherapy procedure takes approximately 30 minutes.

 

Are you ready to get rid of your spider veins?
Call Associates in Dermatology
today for your consultation today!

757-838-8030

2014 Making Strides Walk

Oct 12, 2014 Dermatologist Blog, Events

Associates in Dermatology walked to support breast cancer awareness in the Annual Peninsula Making Strides Walk.  This is a noncompetitive 3-Mile walk to honor breast cancer survivors and raise awareness about how to stay well. The money raised from the event goes to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease with breast cancer research, information/ services, and access to mammograms for women who need them.

While supporting a good cause, our team and their families have a great time walking together.

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What To Do With Those Pesky Lice

Sep 29, 2014 Dermatologist Blog, Services

What To Do With Pesky LiceNow that school is back in session, a common pediatric concern is lice. Lice are those pesky parasites that prefer to hang out in the hairy areas of the body including the scalp, pubic area and less commonly, underarms, eyelashes, eyebrows and beard areas, as well as on clothing. The location depends on the types of lice. They survive by feeding on human blood like bedbugs (which are relatives of lice) and mosquitoes. A dermatologist or other doctor can diagnose the condition and give you treatment options.

Different Types of Lice

There are 3 types of lice: Head lice, Body lice and Pubic lice. You cannot pick them up from pets or toilet seats; and they do not jump or fly.

Head Lice

Head lice are the most common of the lice infestations and can occur in children between 3-10 years of age. They are spread by close head-to-head contact (while playing or sleeping in the same bed, sharing pillows or hats, combs/brushes.). The average louse (singular of lice), are 2-3mm long and lay eggs which attach firmly to the hair shaft close to the scalp or body.   These hatch after about 10 days. Even after the infestation has been taken care of, it can be difficult to remove the nits/nit shells (hence, the use of the nit comb). Girls are infected more than boys and it is unclear exactly why but most likely because of girls typically having longer hair. Personal hygiene is not a factor.

Body lice

Body lice are a little larger and live on clothing (usually in the seams). They can live 30 days away from the human, which is longer than the head lice can (which dies of dehydration after 2 days of not being able to feed). Overcrowding, personal hygiene and the reuse of mattresses, linens and clothing can contribute to the spread. Itching is also a symptom and they are identified by finding them on the clothing or affected items.

Pubic lice

These are sometimes called “crab” lice as they look similar to a crab. They live for approximately 3 weeks and the eggs attach to the base of the pubic hair and generally hatch in 6-8 days. They are transmitted by sexual contact and sometimes non-sexual contact by parents to children. They are not as easily transmitted via clothing or linens as body lice. Symptoms include itching in the pubic area, usually more intensely than with the other lice, and more so at night.

Once you’ve been diagnosed

After seeing your Dermatologist and initiating treatment, here are some steps you can take to avoid lice re-infestation:

  • Wash the following items in hot water:
    • all clothing
    • bedding
    • hats
    • towels
    • combs, brushes, hair care items/clips/headbands
  • Use “nit combs” which are fine-toothed combs that aid in the removal of dead lice/nits.

There are also services that can take care of some of these steps for you.

If you suspect you or your family member has this condition, make an appointment with us and let us help you rid yourself of these “louse-y” pests!

 

 

Taking on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Sep 2, 2014 Dermatologist Blog

The staff of Associates in Dermatology accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge today from Dr. Leslie Coker.  Dr. Coker and her daughter, Ellie, accepted the challenge on Wednesday from our Office Manager, Magan Katz.  They all got icy cold for a good cause.  We are so proud that they are all support ALS.  What an awesome and caring staff we have on our team!!

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What is ALS?

According to the ALS Association website:

“ALS was first found in 1869 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, but it wasn’t until 1939 that Lou Gehrig brought national and international attention to the disease. Ending the career of one of the most beloved baseball players of all time, the disease is still most closely associated with his name. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons  die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.”

The ALS Association focuses on three areas

Research: Our research entails involves funding for global studies to find the causes of and treatments – and ultimately a cure – for ALS. These activities encompass grants and funding for ALS research and associated costs related to our research program. This program takes a collaborative approach by interacting with scientists around the world and academia, government agencies, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Patient and Community Services: Our Care Services program provides compassionate care and support for people living with ALS and their families. Our 38 chapters assist those living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease by offering them access to loan closets, support groups and information about local resources to help them better cope with the demands of this disease. In addition, our Certified Treatment Centers of Excellence deliver the best of multidisciplinary care to individuals with ALS, and our Recognized Treatment Centers serve the medical needs of those living with the disease.

Public and Professional Education:  Through public and professional education, The Association educates healthcare professionals, scientific communities and the general public about Lou Gehrig’s Disease and the work we do in assisting those battling ALS. Our Public Policy Department works with national and local legislators as well as government agencies to advance legislative policies that benefit ALS families. Each year, The Association’s Public Policy Department hosts National ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference, whereby members of the ALS community travel to the nation’s capital to educate Congressional members about ALS and to share their stories about how this disease has impacted their lives with these national legislators. (Courtesy of the ALS website)

How to Donate to ALS

If you’d like to donate to this worthy cause yourself or do your own ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, please go to their website.

 

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Associates in Dermatology, Inc.
Office Address: 17 Manhattan Square Hampton, VA 23666
Office Phone: (757) 838-8030
Website: www.aiderm.com
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Friday: 9 to 4
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