Female Hair Loss & Restoration
About one-third of women over the age of 30 experience hair loss. Often stress or endocrine disorders are thought to be the cause, and in such cases hair loss may be temporary. But for most women, their thinning hair is due to the same genetic condition that affects men.
Finding the cause of baldness takes more time with women than with men because there are more variables and Dr. Vories is always willing to invest the time to determine a cause and solution.
Women can be ideal candidates for hair restoration surgery using the procedure. Dr. Vories understands the unique problems and concerns confronting women with hair loss, and he can offer a personalized strategy for hair transplantation that will give you the best cosmetic result.
“Dr. Vories worked hard to help me figure out why I had hair loss first, then we went from there. While many other hair doctors took my hair loss as “no big deal” Dr. Vories went to bat for me and that is why I will always respect him. Thank you very much!” Kathleen H., Mt. Pleasant, SC
In recent decades, scientists have learned a great deal about the biology of female hair loss and transplant surgery for women has become increasingly sophisticated and popular.
Still, little media attention is given to the problem, although studies show that 80 percent of women experience some degree of hair loss before menopause. Moreover, hair loss in women is more likely to cause psychologically painful effects, and this distress tends to be more severe for women than men.
Compounding women’s feelings of anxiety, depression and loss of control are societal attitudes. Many view hair loss in women as a normal consequence of pregnancy or aging, and women’s concerns are frequently dismissed by the comments of relatives that it runs in the family.
During interviews with hair restoration professionals, many female patients reveal their profound unhappiness, even devastation with their hair loss:
- "I worry about losing even more hair."
- "I think about my hair loss all the time."
- "I feel frustrated and helpless about my hair loss."
- "I feel unattractive or undesirable as a result of my hair loss."
- "I go out less because of my hair loss."
- "I feel my hair loss is affecting my career."
- "My hair loss has limited my sexual activity."
- "Losing my hair has been the most disturbing event of my life."
The Ludwig Scale for Women's hair loss.
What causes hair loss in women?
Some cases of female pattern hair loss can be treated with a combination of surgery and minoxodil, the only medication for hair restoration approved for women.
However, causes of hair loss in women are varied, and proper diagnosis is essential in providing a solution for hair loss.
Common causes of female hair loss include:
- Androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern baldness, a hereditary pattern of diffuse hair loss over the central scalp
- Alopecia areata, a recurring illness, cause unknown, that leaves a patchy loss of hair from the scalp and/or eyebrows
- Telogen effluvium, a condition often caused by physical or emotional stress that may be chronic or acute, causing shedding of hair over the entire scalp
- Hypothyroidism, a thyroid deficiency associated with thinning, patchy hair loss
- Loose anagen syndrome, a condition in which hair sheds before the normal growth cycle is completed
- Pregnancy, which can cause hair loss due to hormonal changes
- Traction alopecia, a form of permanent damage to hair and scalp caused by tight braiding and corn-row styling and harsh chemical processing of hair, via styling products and techniques
- Trichotillomania, a habit of compulsive hair plucking that can result in traction alopecia and permanent hair loss
Female hair loss may also be caused by medical conditions, treatments or prescriptions:
- Polycystic ovarian disease
- Autoimmune disease
- Chemotherapy
- Beta blockers
- Coumadin
- Antidepressants
*In some cases, a change in medication or dosage can lessen or eliminate hair loss problems.
It is important to note that women with a diffuse pattern of hair loss are seldom good candidates for hair transplant surgery. This is because, unlike men, their overall thinning does not create good donor follicles on the back and sides of the scalp. In women, the hormone diydrotestosterone (DHT) can shrink follicles all over the scalp, so that even transplanted hair may eventually fall out.
When should I consider hair transplantation?
At Carolina Hair Surgery, we can help you determine whether hair transplantation is the right option for you. Dr. Vories and his staff will examine your test results and explain what you can expect, both immediately and over time, regarding the cosmetic results of your surgery.
Here are a few indications that you are a good candidate for hair restoration:
- Your hair loss appears to have stopped
- Your loss is mainly at the hairline
- Balding is concentrated in one or two areas
Other women who make good candidates for hair restoration include:
- Women who want to re-structure their hairline
- Women with scars, burns, or injuries that have caused hair loss
- Women who want to thicken or restore eyebrows and eyelashes
- Women who experienced hair loss after face lifts or other cosmetic procedures
- Women diagnosed with traction alopecia or alopecia marginalis
Carolina Hair Surgery Personal care, customized solutions
In determining the best treatment option, Dr. Vories and his staff will evaluate your hair loss history and that of your family. He will thoroughly examine your scalp to determine the supply and quality of potential donor hair you possess that can be surgically removed and grafted onto a thinning area. He will help you determine whether transplanted hair should be placed in a key thinning area such as the hairline or spread over a larger area for the best cosmetic results. Finally, he will consider factors unique to you, such as hair-styling preference, in planning your hair transplantation strategy.