Everybody cries. In my first post introducing you to Medi Tresse, a hair rejuvenation practice for women only in Wellesley, Massachusetts, I shared my reasons for starting a women-only practice. For a woman, losing her “crowning glory,” a key component of her appearance, her style, and her sexuality, hair loss shakes her to her core. In our first consultation, we ask the woman to tell us about her hair loss timeline. Did she have thin hair as an adolescent? Did it increase in her twenties? When did she first noticed the hair in sink or on her comb? and so on. This is followed by a summary of what she’s done so far to slow the loss or regrow the hair… and usually, of course, nothing has worked. Worse, the experience has been emotionally deflating and demoralizing. She’s been ignored or patronized by her regular doctor, or simply not taken seriously about this “vanity issue.” And then she cries.
First, we let her know that she truly is not alone. Many, many women experience hair loss at an early age, including in their twenties. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, an estimated 40 percent of women will have visible hair loss by the time they are age 40.
The most common form of hair loss is called androgenic alopecia, or Female Pattern Hair Loss, where there can be thinning on all areas of the scalp, compared to male hair loss.
We tell her that there are many reasons for hair loss, including genetics, hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menopause; stress or trauma; physiological reasons like dramatic weight loss, hypothyroidism or anemia; and of course, chemotherapy or other medical treatments. Everyone has their own unique reason, or set of reasons, for their hair loss, which is why the best solutions start with seeing a medical team specializing in hair loss and rejuvenation. Every woman deserves a customized solution. Start with a consultation today.
Posted by Mary Wendel, M.D.
