Hair loss is a complex and extensive ordeal inclusive of various subcategories and exceptions. For instance, treatment can vary between men and women despite the cause of hair loss being mutual. In other words, the best hair loss treatments for female alopecia varies from the options available for men even when the underlying cause is mutual.
Female hair loss is often an overlooked issue with not much awareness surrounding the condition. Many women struggle to receive correct diagnosis and treatment for their case. The following article will discuss the best hair loss treatments for female alopecia.
The information in the article is not a substitute for professional diagnosis.
How Common Is Female Hair Loss
A lot of people consider hair loss a major concern for men only. This is probably primarily due to the media attention given to male celebrities who have undergone transplants, such as Wayne Rooney and Louis Walsh. However, the issue is very real for women.
Research shows that four in every ten women will experience visible hair loss by the time they turn 40. So while female hair loss may be overshadowed by media attention on male hair loss, it is indeed a much more common problem than we think.
The Best Hair Loss Treatments For Female Alopecia
The current market is stocked with a variety of treatments for hair loss with a granular selection earning the titles of best hair loss treatments for female alopecia. However, female hair loss is not a standard condition, it is the outcome of internal cellular processes and diseases. Various underlying conditions lead to female alopecia and finding the best hair loss treatment for female alopecia is interlocked with the root cause.
Different Types Of Female Hair Loss
There are different types of hair loss patterns. For some, hair loss might be even throughout the scalp. Others experience clumps of hair falling from a particular patch on their head. Regardless of the pattern by which hair loss displays,
Androgenic Alopecia
Female androgenic alopecia is hair loss due to androgens and can be the cause of hormonal imbalance in women. In addition to the varying patterns the standard way of classifying female androgenic alopecia the Ludwig Classification.
Conditions that commonly cause female androgenic alopecia include:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common cause of androgenic alopecia in women.
- Insulin resistance
- Hypertension
The above conditions that attribute to the development of androgenic alopecia trigger hormonal imbalance with testosterone levels shooting above the norms. You should note that androgenic alopecia is a matter of genetic susceptibility. In other words, you are only at risk of androgenic alopecia if your family members suffer from it.
The high testosterone levels compel follicular units to shrink gradually over time. Luckily, the degree of sensitivity to androgens among follicular groups on the scalp varies from one area to another which is why certain areas are prone to hair loss more than others and why hair loss is not even throughout the scalp.
Depending on the degree of hair loss, several treatments can resolve this type of female hair loss. Anti-androgen blocker pills, serums, or shampoos are common solutions. However, these treatments can hold their anti-androgenic effects for up to 24 hours. Meaning, after 24 hours, their effects wear off and patients should re-consume or re-apply the medication. In the long term, these treatments can take their toll on patients. They are very high maintenance and require monitoring and possibly a sharp memory.
The Best Hair Loss Treatments For Female Androgenic Alopecia:
Female pattern hair loss cannot be reversed with hair transplants. However, possible treatments include:
- Minoxidil 2%.
- PRP therapy.
- Androgen blockers such as Aldactone.
Speak to your doctor about the best hair loss treatment for your case.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata refers to hair loss that results from an autoimmune disorder such as Lupus. In an autoimmune disorder the body’s defense system loses its ability to detect foreign cells and allied cells. In certain cases the immune attacks are exclusively aimed towards follicular units resulting in hair loss. Treatments for alopecia areata vary depending on whether the hair loss has become permanent. While it is not always the case, untreated autoimmune disorders can cause permanent hair loss.
Causes Of Alopecia Areata
- Lupus
- Hashimoto’s disease
- Graves’ disease
- Crohn’s disease
- psoriasis.
The Best Hair Loss Treatments For Female Alopecia Areata
The best hair loss treatments for alopecia areata would be to seek professional help for underlying cause. On the other hand, if hair loss becomes permanent consider hair transplant.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is hair loss that occurs after the body endures a traumatic experience. However, the shedding of hair will occur six months from the traumatic incident.
Causes Of Telogen Effluvium
Traumatic experiences can trigger the onset of telogen effluvium for instance:
- Child birth
- Malnutrition
- Major surgery
The Best Hair Loss Treatment For Female Telogen Effluvium
The best hair loss treatment for female telogen effluvium can include on of the following. However, hair growth can resume naturally as well.
- Vitamin supplements.
- Minoxidil 2%.
Physical Trauma
When our scalp is exposed to serious injury, be it from burns or accidents, the follicular units are directly affected. If the damage penetrates deep enough, it might rupture the follicular units. Follicular units are what is responsible for hair generating hair growth. In the unfortunate event of skin trauma, they can be damaged. Meaning hair growth in the affected area will be halted permanently. In this type of hair loss, the only solution is hair transplantation
The category includes:
- Chronic traction alopecia
- Cicatricial alopecia
Female Hair Transplantation
Only a few women can be eligible candidates for hair transplants. First and foremost, the big question here is why female hair transplantation has a much smaller sector of candidacy compared to male hair transplantation. To answer this question, we need first to address the fact that most patients who apply for hair transplantation suffer from androgenic alopecia; this fact is what initiates the difference.
For instance, in most men, this type of hair loss takes on a particular pattern. In other words, specific areas are prone to hair loss (the crown) while other areas remain intact (the sides and the back). Owing to that, the follicular units in the back of the head are resistant to androgens. Medically speaking, they are fit to relocate to bald areas as they are not susceptible to hair fall.
In contrast, the majority of female androgenic alopecia cases do not follow a particular pattern and are more diffuse. To word it differently, the androgen-resistant follicular units are scattered, making the process of choosing viable follicular units more challenging. As a result of their unpredictable functions, most female hair transplantations fail.
Candidates For Female Hair Transplantation
Women suffering from permanent hair loss can be candidates if the underlying condition is:
- Drug-controlled auto-immune disease
- Traction alopecia
- Physical trauma
In Summary
The best hair loss treatments for female alopecia vary from one case to another. However, for each category is a silver lining. You should consult with your doctor for the best hair loss treatments for female alopecia for your case.
Book An Online Consultation
Regardless of the pattern of hair loss or the underlying cause, the effects of hair loss on women can be a distressing experience. Fortunately, however, the medical field has attended to this problem in various ways. Patients can either treat their underlying cause, consume anti-androgen medication, or opt for the most time efficient and only permanent solution: hair transplantation.
To know more about hair transplantation contact us.