Can anything be done for female pattern hair loss?

QUESTION:  Can anything be done for female pattern hair loss?

 ANSWER:  Yes – treatments similar to those for men.

As in men, there are many causes of hair loss in women – including scalp infections and inflammation, and auto-immune attacks on the follicles in the skin that make hair.

But the most common problem for women, especially after menopause, is “female pattern hair loss,’’ or androgenetic alopecia. High levels of the male hormone testosterone can trigger this, but “most women with androgenetic alopecia have normal levels of testosterone,’’ says Dr. Lynne Goldberg, a dermatologist and director of the hair clinic at Boston Medical Center.

These women may have hair follicles that are genetically programmed to be extra sensitive to testosterone, which causes them to produce thinner – and eventually, no – hair, says Dr. Deborah Scott, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

The first treatment, Scott says, is Rogaine (minoxidil), which must be used continuously to sustain any benefit. If it does not make new hair grow, it can help slow hair loss.

Propecia (finasteride) is used to treat hair loss in women in Europe, but is not government-approved here for that purpose. Studies suggest it does not work well in women, Scott says, though some doctors prescribe it, which they are allowed to do. Another option, though it, too, isn’t approved for this use, is Aldactone (spironolactone), a diuretic whose side effect is to block testosterone receptors.

Hair transplants are a good, but expensive, option, and not covered by insurance. The latest technique uses “micrografts,’’ meaning that hair follicles are surgically removed from one spot on the head – usually the back of the scalp – and inserted one or two hairs at a time in the bald area. While hair follicles in the crown of the head are often destroyed by testosterone, those at the back are not.

However, if your underlying problem is inflammation or infection, transplantation won’t help.

In order to treat hair loss effectively we would recommend that you have a diagnosis made as soon as possible by one of our experienced Westminster Trichologists. Stress can be an aggravator in almost all cases of hair loss and an accurate diagnosis will always, at the very least, take some of the stress away from you.

Gary Heron says: “You’ll have access to the most effective treatments available through The Hair Centre and at a fraction of the cost of going to other Private Commercial Clinics and Centres.”

When it’s time to see the Trichologist: If you begin losing hair rapidly, and or are cosmetically concerned about baldness, consult your Trichologist about treatment options. You can receive a free hair loss consultation with a Westminster Trichologist at our Hair Centre.

The point is that you are not getting to the real problem and you should seek specific professional advice from a Westminster Trichologist.

“Why buy hair loss treatments over the counter or on the internet when you can see a Westminster Trichologist for FREE and know that you are guaranteed results”

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Hair Loss Cases Among Older Women Triple in 7 Years

Hair loss, once considered a problem only for middle-aged men, is now affecting a growing number of women in their 50s. According to a report on medical expenses released by the National Health Insurance Corporation on Sunday, the number of female hair-loss patients aged 50 years or older tripled from 5,713 in 2001 to 16,624 in 2008. The figure has increased steadily by 16.5 percent a year on average since 2001.

The total number of hair-loss patients climbed 60 percent from 103,000 in 2001 to 165,000 in 2008. Male patients totaled 85,000 last year, outnumbering female patients by 5,000, showing that the problem still afflicts more men than women.

“There are diverse causes for hair loss including hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiency, side effects of drugs such as contraceptives, and physical and mental stress,” said Cho Nam-joon, a professor of NHIC Ilsan hospital. “Now more people are exposed to these causes and thus hair-loss patients are increasing.”

The growing number of hair-loss cases among older women is the result of not only hormonal changes resulting from menopause but also stress and fatigue, Cho said. He recommended that women experiencing hair loss eat a balanced diet and avoid stress.

In order to treat hair loss effectively we would recommend that you have a diagnosis made as soon as possible by one of our experienced Westminster Trichologists. Stress can be an aggravator in almost all cases of hair loss and an accurate diagnosis will always, at the very least, take some of the stress away from you.

Gary Heron says: “You’ll have access to the most effective treatments available through The Hair Centre and at a fraction of the cost of going to other Private Commercial Clinics and Centres.”

When it’s time to see the Trichologist: If you begin losing hair rapidly, and or are cosmetically concerned about baldness, consult your Trichologist about treatment options. You can receive a free hair loss consultation with a Westminster Trichologist at our Hair Centre.

The point is that you are not getting to the real problem and you should seek specific professional advice from a Westminster Trichologist.

“Why buy hair loss treatments over the counter or on the internet when you can see a Westminster Trichologist for FREE and know that you are guaranteed results”

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help