Female Hair Loss, Thinning Hair in Women, and Pattern Baldness (Alopecia).

You get up in the morning and look at your pillow. More hair has fallen out during the night. You brush your hair and end up pulling more hair out of your brush. In an effort to hide your scalp, you try different hair styles; you tease it; you try volumizing shampoos. Nothing works.  Are you going bald or is it a sign of a serious illness?   Causes of Female Hair Loss and Thinning Hair in Women The most common type of hair loss seen in women is androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern alopecia or baldness and alopecia areata.   PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL STRESS Surgeries, severe illnesses and emotional stress can cause hair loss.

In many cases there is a three month delay between the actual event and the onset of hair loss. Additionally, there may be another three month delay prior to the return of noticeable hair re-growth.

This means that the total hair loss and re-growth cycle can last six months or possibly longer when induced by physical or emotional stress.
 

HORMONAL CONSIDERATIONS

Hormonal changes are a common cause of hair loss. Many women do not realize that hair loss can occur after pregnancy or following discontinuation of birth control pills.
 

DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS

Female hair loss may also occur due to dieting. Franchised diet programs which are designed or administered under the direction of a physician with prescribed meals, dietary supplements and vitamin ingestion have become popular. Sometimes the client is told that vitamins are a necessary part of the program to prevent hair loss associated with dieting.

From a dermatologists's standpoint, however, the vitamins cannot prevent hair loss associated with rapid, significant weight loss.
 

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS AND MYTHS

• Frequent shampooing contributes to hair loss.

• Shaving your head will cause your hair to grow back thicker.

• Hair loss does not occur in women who are in their late teens or early twenties.

• Hats and wigs cause thinning and baldness.

• 100 strokes of the hair brush daily will create healthier hair.

• Permanent thinning and baldness is caused by perms, colors and other cosmetic treatments.

• There are cures available for androgenetic Alopecia.

• Stress can causes permanent thinning of a woman's overall hair density.

TREATMENT OPTIONS AND SOLUTIONS 

Medical therapy: Rogaine (topical minoxidil). Rogaine is the only FDA approved medication currently available option.

Laser Hair Rejuvenation. A non-surgical treatment utilizing therapeutic low level lasers to deliver light energy designed to treat thin, fine, damaged hair.

Transplant Surgery: Modern surgical techniques have made transplantation for females a viable treatment option.

Non-Surgical Replacement: Women's hair replacement systems and additions have the ability to simulate a true natural appearance while offering the client a significant increase in overall density.

View a list of Transitions International member hair loss centers and clinics worldwide.

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