Hair Loss in Women
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Hair Loss in Women: Causes & Treatments
By Dr. Ken Washenik, M.D., Ph.D.
Most women consider their hair to be their crown of beauty as evidenced by the countless hours spent at the salon, the art and science of hair color, and the changing trends in hair fashions. Hair is important as a marker of identity and is a key factor in social communication and physical attraction.
When hair loss occurs in women, it can be emotionally distressing and even psychologically debilitating. Fifty percent of women experience some degree of noticeable hair loss, constituting forty million affected in the United States alone. One out of every two women in the United States will experience hereditary thinning.
Most women do not feel that hair thinning and hair loss are normal or an acceptable part of the aging process, and few understand the source of the problem and the recommended medical treatment options.
It is said that a person can lose 50% of his/her hair before other people begin to notice it. Most women, of course, notice it long before then.Typically this occurs in the mid thirties on average, more than a decade later than men. Men have dealt with hair loss as a fact of life; but for women it is a cosmetic nightmare. For women there are volumizing shampoos, wigs and hair extensions, and minoxidil (the main ingredient in Rogaine); but only recently have women begun to take advantage of hair restoration to any great degree. This is a promising option for women as they are far more comfortable with cosmetic surgical procedures than men.
The etiology of hair loss in women is varied. While temporary hair loss may be caused by protein deprivation and harsh chemical treatments (such as relaxers), it can also come from underlying medical conditions such as a hypothyroidism, iron deficiency, hormonal imbalance, e.g., polycystic ovary syndrome, or even as a manifestation of a systemic disease such as lupus.
Alopecia can be a side effect from medications such as antidepressants, drugs for hypertension, anticoagulants, and chemotherapy. Telogen effluvium is another common cause of alopecia. It is a temporary condition in which a higher than normal percentage of hairs shifts into a shedding phase. It can occur after pregnancy, when a woman goes on or off birth control pills, or after surgery. Inherited genetic hair loss (female pattern hair loss) is the most common cause of alopecia in women.
Female Pattern Hair Loss
Women do not experience the same pattern of hair loss as men (androgenetic alopecia). Less is known about female pattern hair loss and the role of androgens, while the essential role of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in male pattern hair loss is clearly established. Female pattern hair loss may affect a particular area of the scalp or may cause overall thinning or hair miniaturization.
Treating Female Pattern Hair Loss
Treating and diagnosing female pattern alopecia is not as simple and straightforward as treating male pattern baldness. Given the variety of possible causes, early diagnosis is the best measure to increase the possibility of stopping or reversing the hair loss.
For women who are not satisfied with the results of the topical approach to hair loss treatment, there is the option of hair transplantation, a minor outpatient surgical procedure more commonly thought of as a treatment for male pattern hair loss and restoring the hairline. It must be determined if she is a candidate for transplantation by possessing a sufficiently high-density area of “donor hair” on the back of the head to undertake the procedure.
In order to create a natural appearance and hair which is stylish, tiny follicular grafts of one, two, three and even four hairs extracted from the donor area are each placed closely together in the balding area. Follicular unit transplantation is the state-of-the art technique and allows an artistic approach wherein the angle and direction of the transplanted hairs are carefully determined to match the existing hair in the treated area. Growth is usually seen 5-6 months after the procedure, but additional time is required for the transplanted hair to reach the length of the rest of the hair.
For more information about hair transplants or to schedule a consultation at BOSLEY visit www.bosley.com.
Ken Washenik, M.D., Ph.D.
Ken Washenik, M.D., Ph.D., is the Medical Director of the Bosley and the Executive Vice President of Scientific and Medical Development of the Aderans Research Institute, a biotechnology firm involved in researching tissue engineered hair follicle neogenesis and cellular based hair restoration.
Dr. Washenik is the former Director of the Dermatopharmacology Unit at NYU School of Medicine, where he is a faculty member in the Department of Dermatology. He has conducted extensive clinical research and phase II-IV studies in the area of dermatopharmacology.
As part of his achievements, Dr. Washenik is a well known national and international lecturer and has presented many seminars on dermatopharmacology and dermatology-related issues. His Ph.D. is in Cell Biology and focused on progesterone metabolism and ovarian development. He frequently lectures on the effects of hormones on the skin including their effects in acne, hirsutism, and alopecia.
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