Women

Hair Restoration for Women

Is hair loss common in women?

Although androgenetic alopecia is often referred to as male pattern baldness, it is not limited to men. 70% of thinning in women can be explained by androgenetic alopecia.

If you are a woman experiencing thinning, you are not alone. About half of women will experience some degree of thinning by the age of 50. However, you are less likely to get bald spots like men experience. Women are more likely to have diffuse thinning all over the head. When a pattern does appear, it may spare the hairline but affect the front behind this, the crown, and temporal areas of the scalp. Thinning can begin as early as your 20s in women as well as men, or you may experience the same pattern of hair loss as men do.

What are the causes hair loss in women?

Non- genetic causes of hair loss and thinning occur more frequently in women, so if you are a woman experiencing hair loss, you should be evaluated for other potential causes of hair loss before you consider hair restoration surgery. Changes in hormones, including estrogen, thyroid, and free testosterone can cause thinning. Insulin resistance is another potential factor. Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, or mercury (found in some fish), can lead to hair thinning.

Some other potential causes of hair loss can be traction alopecia, in which traction due to tight pony tails, braids, or other types of styling leads to thinning above the ears and forehead area of the hairline. Chemical alopecia is due to damage caused by styling chemicals, such as permanents, and some hair dyes.

What are the medical treatments for women with androgenetic alopecia?

FDA approved medical treatment for women is limited to Rogaine, (generic name Minoxidil). Propecia is not recommended for women because it can cause birth defects in the developing male fetus, as well as the fact that it has not been studied in women as it has been in men.

Who is a candidate for hair restoration surgery?

If you have been diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia, you may be a candidate for surgery. As long as there is a donor area available in the back of the head that is not thinning, the transplanted hair will be permanent. The extent of your hair loss is also a factor.
If you do not know the cause of your hairloss, Dr. Keene recommends that you see a dermatologist to determine if there are other treatable causes for your hairloss before you consider hair restoration surgery. Hair restoration surgery will not be effective if you have other causes of hair less aside from androgenetic alopecia. If your thinning is caused by a hormonal disorder, for example, hormonal supplementation may be what is needed. The tests that Dr. Keene recommends your dermatologist run to exclude other causes include free testosterone, fasting glucose, thyroid, estrogen, and ferritin. Your dermatologist may make additional recommendations.
If you have had plastic surgery, such as a brow lift or a face-lift, we can easily fill in your hairline and camouflage any scars resulting from the surgery.

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