About Women’s Hair Loss

It’s estimated that more than 50% of women in the U.S will experience hair loss in their lifetime.

Currently, 30 million American women of all ages suffer from some form of female hair loss.

The first question most women ask at their consultation is “Am I going bald?”

Experiencing female hair loss is an extremely emotional experience and can cause anxiety, feelings of embarrassment, and lead to depression.

Statistically, women’s hair loss is very normal, but for most women experiencing hair loss, it doesn’t feel normal. But women’s hair loss is normal, there is just no normal way to experience it. From what’s causing it to how it looks and how to treat it, every woman experiencing hair loss experiences it differently.

While genetics can play a big role in causing hair loss, it is only one potential factor. The reasons why a woman is experiencing hair loss are complex and unique to the individual. To determine the cause of your hair loss, we must look beyond the symptoms and consider all parts of you. Every potential contributing factor is important and requires specific expertise to properly treat.

It is essential that women start treatment as soon as they notice excessive hair shedding or thinning. By the time the scalp is visible through the hair, almost 50% of the density in that area has been lost.

Common Risk Factors of Female Hair Loss

Genetics
Stress
Nutritional Deficiencies
Hair Styling and Products
Hormonal Imbalances
Illness
Chemotherapy

Female hair loss is complex. Most women experiencing hair loss will have more than one factor causing or aggravating their hair loss.

What Does Female Hair Loss Look Like?

Thinning All Over
Excessive Shedding
Thinner Ponytail
Widening Part
Temporal Loss
Patches of Hair Loss
Receding Hair Line

Female hair loss looks and feels different to every woman. It is important to seek treatment as soon as you start seeing signs of your hair changing.

Women's Hair Loss FAQ

Can hair loss treatments restore all the hair I have lost?

Depending on the type of hair loss, complete restoration is possible. For instance, in alopecia areata and traction alopecia, those areas can fill in completely with treatment. In androgenic alopecia, it is possible to restore most of the hair loss if restoration treatment is started early. If treatment is started after many years of gradual thinning, it is unlikely that complete restoration is possible. However, further hair loss can be slowed down or stopped, and the majority of women will have some regrowth of hair.

What happens if I decide to stop treatment?

It is very likely that hair loss will resume and hair that did regrow during treatment will likely fall out if hair loss treatment is halted.

Will I go bald?

While hair thinning is very common in women, it is extremely rare for a woman to go “bald” like a man. Our goal is to prevent hair loss from ever getting to that point.

Is it really possible for a woman to start losing hair as a teenager?

Sadly, yes. The youngest woman we have seen was a 15 year old girl who had already lost about 50% of her hair. The younger the woman, the more important it is to start regrowth and restoration treatment as soon as possible.

Does shampooing my hair every day cause hair loss?

No. Shampooing does not cause hair loss, but it does strip the hair of its natural oils and may dry out hair and make it brittle.

Is it always necessary to have blood tests?

It is unlikely that a simple iron or vitamin deficiency or even hypo or hyperthyroidism will cause significant hair loss, but while undergoing treatment it is essential to make sure that there is nothing else that would contribute to further hair loss or prevent treatment from being successful. This is why lab tests are always recommended.

Does any hair loss treatment for thin hair work better than others?

There are no studies published which compare the different treatments available today. Minoxidil, laser therapy, PRP, and Tricomin products all work differently to help hair to grow. That is why we recommend utilizing all the treatments available. As with many medical problems, it may take several types of treatment to get the best result.

Do any of the hair restoration treatments have any side effects? Are they safe?

All medical treatments may have some side effects. All of the recommended treatments at Medi Tresse are scientifically tested and have been found to have no serious side effects. Any skin or scalp treatments can cause localized itching or mild irritation, but all potential side effects will be discussed with you before starting treatment.

How much does your treatment cost?

We offer a wide array of hair loss treatments that vary greatly in price. The treatment plan for one patient will not be the same for another. Therefore, it is important to come in for a consultation to discuss what options may be available for you and then you can determine what services or products are best for you.

Does hair loss get worse during menopause?

Yes it can. Many women find that hair thinning is more noticeable after going through menopause. Hormones play a big role in hair health and growth in women. Some women notice when they come off their hormone therapy that their hair sheds more. Any change in hormones can affect hair growth in women. This is also true during pregnancy when hair can thicken and then shed after childbirth.

Women's Hair Loss VS Men's Hair Loss

Learn how they are different and why it matters.

Female hair loss is extremely complex and it needs to be properly diagnosed to appropriately treat.

Learn why more and more women are choosing Medi Tresse

Types of Women's Hair Loss

The chart below explains the types of conditions that may be the cause of your loss, the hair loss symptoms you may be experiencing, and the clinically proven treatment options we use at Medi Tresse to help stop further loss, improve hair health, and regrow your hair.

Topical

Hair Loss Risk Factor Quiz

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Book a virtual or in-person consultation and talk with one of our medical experts about your results. Find out what this all means for your hair and possible treatment options.

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This is an educational tool only and should not be considered a medical diagnosis. A diagnosis can only be determined by a licensed practitioner after a thorough evaluation.

Clinically Proven Treatments for Female Hair Loss

Women in the U.S. spend billions of dollars yearly buying products to make their hair thicker, stronger, and fuller. However, most hair regrowth products sold to help thicken or regrow hair are not based on scientific evidence.

The following are hair rejuvenation treatments that are clinically proven to work.

Continued Treatment is Key!

Seeking hair restoration treatment can stop further loss and help regrow hair. However, if treatment is suddenly stopped, there often can be loss of the hair regained with treatment.

Much like good dental care, continued treatment is extremely important, and we recommend follow-up exams every 6-12 months.

Take Control Of Your Hair Loss

Speak with a Medi Tresse medical expert in person or virtually and get your personalized hair loss treatment plan.

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The Blog & Webinars

The More You Learn - The More You Grow

Overcoming Our Own Perceptions of Female Hair Loss

Overcoming Our Own Perceptions of Female Hair Loss When Medi Tresse opened 2015, our mission was two-fold. First, we wanted to help all women experiencing hair loss feel empowered by their options and reclaim their confidence. Secondly, as the leading medical professionals in our industry, we wanted to normalize women’s…

The Most Common Type of Hair Loss among Women

It may surprise you to learn that hair loss in women is not uncommon. In fact, we’d be willing to bet that you can name a female relative, co-worker or friend who has visible hair loss. The subject of hair loss has long been viewed as a taboo topic...

The Facts About Female Hair Loss

The Facts About Female Hair Loss Did you know that August in National Hair Loss Awareness Month? This is a very important time to get the facts out about hair loss and female hair loss especially. Female hair loss tends to be very misunderstood, which only makes it more difficult…

How Our Nutrition Impacts Our Hair

Many of the nutrients and vitamins that are important for the development of hair are also needed for other parts of your body and when you are deficient in these vitamins the body allocates them to your vital organs and your hair pays the price

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Minoxidil – What is it and How is it Used as a Treatment for Female Hair Loss?

Minoxidil is the only topical FDA approved treatment for hair loss. While many patients have tried a minoxidil product in the past, like Rogain®, the products that contain minoxidil have changed overtime and for the better.

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Comparing Different Female Hair Loss Treatments

There are lots of options out there for at home hair loss treatments, from topicals to laser to minoxidil or supplements, we have a lot to choose from. However, even in each category we have lots of options.

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The content contained herein is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Medical advice may only be given through a one-on-one, private consultation with an appropriate licensed medical provider

Our Locations

Boston, MA

888 Worcester Street, Suite 95
Wellesley, MA 02482

Medical Director: Mary Wendel, MD

Phone: (774) 314-3900 Visit Medi Tresse Boston Office

Worcester, MA

108 Grove Street
Worcester, MA 01605

Medical Director: Mary Wendel, MD

Phone: (774) 314 3901 Visit Medi Tresse Worcester Office

New York, NY

65 W 36th St, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10018

Medical Director: Mark DiStefano, MD

Phone: (347) 704-2370 Visit Medi Tresse New York Office

Westchester, NY

2 Overhill Road, Suite 320
Scarsdale, NY 10583

Medical Director: Mark DiStefano, MD

Phone: 914-704-3070
Visit Medi Tresse Westchester Office

Chattanooga, TN

7305 Jarnigan Rd, Suite 110
Chattanooga, TN 37421

Medical Director: Deborah DiStefano, MD

Phone: 423-664-4494 Visit Medi Tresse Chattanooga Office

About Women’s Hair Loss

It’s estimated that more than 50% of women in the U.S will experience hair loss in their lifetime.

Common Risk Factors of Female Hair Loss

GeneticsStressNutritional DeficienciesHair Styling and ProductsHormonal ImbalancesIllnessChemotherapy

What Does Female Hair Loss Look Like?

Thinning All OverExcessive SheddingThinner PonytailWidening PartTemporal LossPatches of Hair LossReceding Hair Line

Women's Hair Loss FAQ

Can hair loss treatments restore all the hair I have lost?

What happens if I decide to stop treatment?

Will I go bald?

Is it really possible for a woman to start losing hair as a teenager?

Does shampooing my hair every day cause hair loss?

Is it always necessary to have blood tests?

Does any hair loss treatment for thin hair work better than others?

Do any of the hair restoration treatments have any side effects? Are they safe?

How much does your treatment cost?

Does hair loss get worse during menopause?

Women's Hair Loss VS Men's Hair Loss

Types of Women's Hair Loss

Condition