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 – most women are embarrassed to admit that they are experiencing hair loss and they find themselves silently suffering at home, attempting to research the possible causes and types of female hair loss and even waiting months or years before seeking medical advice.
As mentioned in the post “Why Am I Losing My Hair?,” there are many types of hair loss and the most common one is referred to as androgenic alopecia, or Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL), also known as female-pattern baldness. It’s caused by a combination of genetics and hormones; both estrogen loss and androgens, male hormones typically present in small amounts. Many factors aggravate thinning including high-androgen birth control pills, some ovarian cysts, pregnancy and menopause. Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL)is very similar to male-pattern baldness, except that men will experience a receding hair line or a visible bald spot at the crown, while women will first notice that their part starts to widen and the hair strands slowly thin out throughout the top of the head. Very rarely do women see near or total baldness, as many men do.
Fortunately, there are treatment options for Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL), which can help to halt progression and even stimulate hair regrowth. Patients that are experiencing early signs of Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) are good candidates for topical treatments like Formula 82M, which includes FDA Approved minoxidil, and/or oral supplements like Viviscal. However, for most patients with Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL), Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy and/or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) are better treatment options. Unfortunately, once the scalp is visible, up to 50% of the density in that area has already been lost. Therefore, being aggressive with treatment and preventative measures is important. At Medi Tresse, we find that patients often get the best results when combining multiple therapies, as they treat the hair in different ways and can help stop the progression of Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) and hopefully reverse it.
Posted by Your Medi Tresse Team
