Last Updated on September 19, 2017 by Robert Price

This blog is still pretty new, and I’ve already received this question a number of times from readers.

A few of my readers have received hair loss misdiagnoses from doctors; they’ve also received some peculiar recommendations.

Ultimately, I don’t think title matters here. You want to visit the best, most experienced doctor in your area who specializes in hair loss — and whether that doctor is a hair restoration surgeon or a dermatologist is largely irrelevant.

That said, there are pros and cons to seeing a dermatologist, just like there are pros and cons to seeing a surgeon. In this post, I’ll review the advantages and disadvantages in each case, and hopefully help you determine which doctor is the best fit for you. Let’s begin.

Pros of Seeing a Hair Loss Specialist/Surgeon

• Miniaturization Testing Comes Standard – This is probably the #1 benefit of seeing a hair loss specialist. They almost always offer miniaturization testing with their initial exams. Basically, that means they’ll view your hair under a microscope, which enables them to spot hair loss long before it’s visible to the naked eye. By the time you can actually see hair loss in a particular area, about half of the hair is already gone.
• Hair Loss is All They Do – Dermatology is a broad field which focuses on skin cancer and a plethora of other serious skin diseases. Hair restoration surgeons specialize in one thing only: hair loss treatment and restoration.
• Free Consultations May be Available – The free consultation is a marketing tactic, frankly. They’re hoping to bring you in for a lucrative hair transplant, eventually, in many cases. But still, free is free, and that’s definitely one advantage of seeing a hair loss specialist. Keep in mind that hair restoration is a cosmetic field, so all your future visits, if applicable, will not be covered by insurance.

Cons of Seeing a Hair Loss Specialist

• Balding Diagnosis More Likely – Hair loss specialists generally employ more sophisticated diagnostic techniques, so naturally, you’re more likely to receive an MPB diagnosis. Is that a good or bad thing? I’m not necessarily sure…
• Less Doctor Interaction – This isn’t always the case. But oftentimes, hair loss specialists delegate initial patient relations to a patient “advocate,” representative, or other staff member.
• Slick Marketing & Sales Tactics – Not all hair restoration clinics employ deceptive or slick marketing strategies, but many do. They’ll show you mind-blowing brochures, wow you with inspiring patient testimonials, and effectively try to make you an offer you can’t refuse. A hair transplant is not something to purchase on a whim, so proceed with caution.

Pros of Seeing a Dermatologist

• No Hype or BS – This is probably the #1 advantage you’ll enjoy by seeing a dermatologist. It’s unlikely they’ll try to “sell” you on any product or service you don’t want, and stick to the facts only. That means no aggressive sales pitches or “patient advocates.”
• Deal with the Doctor Directly – You’ll probably enjoy more one-on-one interaction with the doctor if you see a dermatologist as opposed to a hair restoration surgeon (especially on the first visit).
• Rule Out Other Hair Loss Causes – Male pattern baldness accounts for roughly 95% of all hair loss cases in men. Still, there are many other causes of hair loss, from hypothyroidism to stress. If you see a dermatologist, they may be a bit more thorough in reviewing other possible causes of your hair loss.
• Covered by Insurance – Assuming you have insurance or live in a socialist country, you should be able to get your trip to the dermatologist covered by your insurance company.

Cons of Seeing a Dermatologist

• Less Sophisticated Diagnostics  – There are some dermatologists who do offer miniaturization and hair bulk testing, but a significant percentage of dermatologists don’t offer these services. Instead, many dermatologists rely on outdated diagnostic techniques such as the “hair-pull test” and scalp biopsies.
• Many Dermatologists Don’t Really “Specialize” in Hair Loss – Again, dermatology is a broad field. Some dermatologists may specialize in hair loss, others may focus primarily on more serious medical conditions like skin cancer. Others may specialize in both skin cancer and hair loss. Some may specialize in acne and scar revisions. Every clinic is different. If you decide to see a dermatologist, do your research and try to find one who does specialize in hair loss, if possible.
• More Expensive – Costs will vary, but it will probably cost you slightly more to see a dermatologist, assuming you don’t have insurance.

Should You See A Dermatologist or Hair Restoration Surgeon?

Closing Thoughts

Research is key. You want to evaluate prospective doctors based on their knowledge of hair loss, while taking their individual reputations into account as well. You can review physicians in your area on sites like healthgrades and realself, and on the internet’s many hair loss forums.

Generally speaking, hair loss specialists tend to have access to better diagnostic equipment. But there’s a decent chance you’ll initially deal with a patient advocate or representative instead of a doctor, and they may employ aggressive sales tactics on you. Buyer beware! On the other hand, some dermatologists are woefully uneducated on the subject of hair loss. So again, it comes down to research!

If you have any questions or a story to share that may help others choose between a dermatologist and a hair loss specialist, please leave a comment below.

Robert Price

Robert Price is a writer, consumer advocate, and hair loss researcher with thousands of hours of experience in the field. His goal is to keep you out of the hair loss rabbit hole, underworld, or whatever you want to call it. He founded Hair Loss Daily, the unbiased hair loss blog, in 2016. You can learn more about Robert in the my story section of this website.