As compared to men the baldness problem is less common in women but it has more devastating effects not only cosmetically but also psychological. Whilst male hair loss is seen as inevitable for a large proportion of men in the community, female hair loss is far less common and therefore less culturally acceptable, which only adds to the stigma for those experiencing it. In many cases the damage to a woman’s self-confidence can affect her whole quality of life. As a general rule female hair loss is quite different to male hair loss. Females experience a thinning out of mid scalp and crown hair and usually retain their frontal hairline. Due to the different hair loss pattern and reproductive concerns, treatments suitable for men are not always safe and effective for women.
The most common type of hair loss in women occurs in a diffuse pattern. Diffuse hair loss is most often hereditary, but it can also be caused by underlying medical conditions, medications, and other factors.
Common or “hereditary” baldness in women, also called female pattern alopecia, is genetic and can come either the mother’s or father’s side of the family. It is caused by the actions of two enzymes; aromatase (which is found predominantly in women) and 5-a reductase (which is found in both women and men).
The action of 5-a reductase is the main cause of androgenetic alopecia in men, as this enzyme converts the hormone testosterone to DHT. DHT is responsible for the miniaturization (shrinking) and gradual disappearance of affected hair follicles.
Women have half the amount of 5-a reductase compared to men, but have higher levels of the enzyme aromatase, especially at their frontal hairline. Aromatase is responsible for the formation of the female hormones estrone and estradiol. It also decreases the formation of DHT. Its presence in women may help to explain why the presentation of female hair loss is so different than in males, particularly with respect to the preservation of the frontal hairline. It may also explain why women have a poor response to the drug. finasteride (Propecia), a medication widely used to treat hair loss in men that works by blocking the formation of DHT.
Women’s hair seems to be particularly sensitive to underlying medical conditions. Since “systemic” problems often cause a diffuse type of hair loss pattern that can be confused with genetic balding, it is important that women with undiagnosed hair loss, be properly evaluated. Medical conditions that produce a diffuse pattern include:
PERMANENT CAUSES
- Trichotillomania
- Alopecia areata
- Traction alopecia
- Autoimmune disorders
TEMPORARY CAUSES
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Smoking,alcohol
- Stress
- Pregnancy
- Thyroid disorders
- Lack of sleep
- Medication use
- Telogen effluvium
- Folic acid deficiency
- Obstetric and gynecologic conditions such as post-partum and post-menopausal states
LOCALIZED HAIR LOSS
Although there are a host of dermatologic conditions that cause hair loss, they produce a pattern that is different from the diffuse pattern of genetic hair loss commonly seen in women and are easily differentiated from it by a dermatologist. Localized hair loss in women may be sub-divided into scarring and non-scarring types. Alopecia Areata is a genetic, auto-immune disease that typifies the non-scarring type. It manifests with the sudden onset of discrete round patches of hair loss associated with normal skin. It can be treated with local injections of steroids.
Scarring Alopecia can be caused by a variety of medical or dermatologic conditions such as Lupus, Lichen Planus, or local radiation therapy. Hair loss from injuries, or from local medical problems that have been cured, are usually amenable to hair transplantation. Radiotherapy can cause both scarring and non-scarring localized hair loss and it also can be treated with surgical hair restoration if the area is not too large.
Localized female hair loss that occurs around the hairline after face-lift surgery may be permanent. Traction Alopecia, the hair loss that occurs with constant tugging on the follicles, can also be permanent if the habit persists for a long period of time. Both of these conditions can be treated with hair transplantation.
CLASSIFICATION FOR HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN
LUDWIGS CLASSIFICATION
Type I (mild)
Type II (moderate)
Type III (extensive)
In all three Ludwig stages, there is hair loss on the front and top of the scalp with relative preservation of the frontal hairline. The back and sides may or may not be involved. Regardless of the extent of hair loss, only women with stable hair on the back and sides of the scalp are candidates for hair transplant surgery.
Type I:Early thinning that can be easily camouflaged with proper grooming. Type I patients have too little hair loss to consider surgical hair restoration.
Type II:Significant widening of the midline part and noticeably decreased volume. Hair transplantation may be indicated if the donor area in the back and sides of the scalp is stable.
Type III:A thin, see-through look on the top of the scalp. This is often associated with generalized thinning.
TREATMENT
MAX FUE HAIR TRANSPLANT
Not only in males, is hair transplant also possible and commonly done in females. With improvements in hair transplantation techniques have meant that we can now reassess female patients who in the past would have been rejected as unsuitable for the procedure. The new techniques of AUTOMATED MaX FUE have allowed transplanting any number of grafts for coverage of baldness in women too. On an average we can transplant around 1500 grafts by unshaven fue technique. It takes around 6 to 9 months to see the full grown results. There is simple post procedure similar to male need to be followed. The results are natural and permanent and without any side effects .With our technique the women baldness will be treated with following advantages:
- No admission or stay required
- Can resume work from next day
- Procedure is done under local anesthesia and recovery is fast
- Maintaining the natural angle and direction to give absolutely natural look in women also is possible as we are using special technique and special instruments for plantation.
- Thicken thinning areas while avoiding damage to or removal of existing hair follicles.
- Utilise the dense packing procedure to achieve a relatively high density in treated areas.
- Minimise scarring in both donor and recipient sites.
- Minimise visibility of scarring.
- Unshaven fue technique is done in females
MESOTHERAPY
Now the women who are not candidate for hair transplant can be successfully treated with the stem cell treatment given by roller scalp system. Those who have thinning, hair fall, very less density, visible scalp through the hairs can be treated by stem cell extracts which has no side effects and its totally painless procedure. This treatment is without any side effects and totally painless.
STEM CELL/ PRP TREATMENT
The stem cell treatment shows good results in women who has experienced hair thinning and decrease in density . it can restore the hair and can activate the roots which are inactive. It require 3 session at interval of 1 month. It has no side effect or downtime. The total procedure time is around 1 hour and after the treatment can resume work immediately
MEDICATION
The medication for hair loss treatment in females is Minoxidil, iron supplement, ketaconazole containing shampoo and biotin supplement. These medication has shown good result even in female when they are taken for long period of time.
SYNTHETIC HAIR TRANSPLANT
Both biofiber or nido can be considered after evaluation of advantage and side effects of the synthetic hair transplant. The synthetic hair transplant can be done in case where the donor area is insufficient.it give instant and immediate results. First 100 hairs are transplant and if there is no reaction or rejection then rest of the hair can be implanted after 3 weeks
FAQ FOR HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN
Q: Why am I losing my hair?
A: There can be many causes for women to lose their hair. Unlike men, where it is more commonly a hereditary cause, women can have many underlying factors. Thyroid conditions, auto-immune disease, stress, hormonal imbalance, pregnancy, anemia (iron deficiency), crash dieting, stress and many other conditions can cause hair loss in women. Some of this hair loss can be reversed by correcting the underlying cause. If there is a genetic component, and a woman is a candidate, hair restoration surgery may be considered.
Q: What is Telogen Effluvium?
A: Telogen Effluvium is a condition that can be easily confused with genetic female hair loss if it is misdiagnosed. Telogen Effluvium, is a condition where hair is pushed into its resting phase and then several months later is shed. This can be caused by several medications and many different medical conditions. Fortunately, telogen effluvium is usually reversible.
Q: Is women’s hair loss different from men’s?
A: The most common type of hair loss in women occurs in a diffuse pattern. Thinning occurs “all over the scalp” rather than in a localized area. Diffuse hair loss is most often hereditary, but it can also be caused by underlying medical conditions or other factors. This is in contrast to male pattern baldness which is general hereditary and in a definitive pattern, balding from the top of the scalp and slowly having the pattern increase until there is only a circumference of hair around the scalp. Read more about the causes, classification and diagnosis of hair loss in women.
Q: What can I expect at a consultation?
A: All consultations included a thorough medical history and physical examination of your hair and scalp. In addition, an evaluation with a hair densitometry will be conducted to measure your density and track miniaturization. During your evaluation, potential underlying medical or genetic causes of your hair loss will be evaluated and a formal diagnosis will be given. Once the diagnosis is determined a personalized treatment plan will established to best address your hair loss.
Q: Do I need blood tests ?
A: These tests may include CBC (complete blood count) – for anemia, blood loss and certain vitamin deficiencies; a Serum iron and iron binding capacity – for anemia, T3, T4, TSH – for thyroid disease
Q: Can medications cause hair loss in women ?
A: Blood pressure medications, cholesterol lowering medications, oral contraceptives and diet pills are among a myriad of drugs that can cause hair loss in women. One of the things we will do at your consultation is look into your current medical history and determine if any medications you may be taking are exacerbating your hair loss.
Q: Can women have hair transplants like men ?
A: Women who have patterned hair loss (i.e. have thinning localized to the front and/or top part of their scalp) and who have stable donor hair on the back and sides of their scalp, make excellent candidates for fue hair transplant. The results are permanent and natural .during your consultation we can show the results of previous female patient who has undergone the similar procedure so that you can be assured of the results.
Q; what is the cost of hair transplant in women
A:The cost for hair transplant by fue scarless method is 40 Rs per graft. You can fill the online form or can mail your pics on dezireclinicindia@gmail.com (5 pics frontal , top , both side and back view ) to know your exact cost for your case.
Summary
Reviewer
Kamlesh Bhaiya
Review Date
Reviewed Item
HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN, HAIR TRANSPLANT IN FEMALES
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