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The New Science of Hair Restoration in Women 

After years of focusing on hair restoration in men initially with surgical techniques and now with more non-invasive techniques the new science of hair restoration allows us to focus on women and the problems associated with hair loss in the female.

Only in the last several years have we been able to elucidate the mechanism of hair thinning and hair loss in women and as a result we have also been able to develop strategies that have been found to be very successful in dealing with hair thinning and hair loss in our female patients.

80% of our male patients have or will develop hair loss in their lives while 40% of women have noticeable hair thinning or hair loss. Women who fall in that 40% group are bothered emotionally by the loss that they experience. Studies by members of the international Society of hair restoration surgery have been able to elucidate the causes of hair loss in women and develop strategies that can reverse hair loss and most cases produce regrowth using medical therapies without having to perform hair grafting procedures.

The Science Behind Hair Loss Patterns

That is, the causes of female hair loss tend to be multi factorial in women whereas the cause of hair loss in men tend to be largely related to the hormonal affects of testosterone on hair follicles. Elegant studies evaluating biopsies from hundreds of women with female pattern hair loss has shown majority of scalp and hair biopsies revealing evidence of an inflammatory process that is not seen in the male population. Chronic inflammation appears to have an adverse effect on the regulation and activity of the hair follicle and when addressed stabilization and regrowth most often occurs.

The cycle of the hair follicle has been divided into three phases. The anagen phase which is the phase of actively producing and supporting hair within the follicle, the catagen phase during which there is diminution and decrease activity of the follicle prior to The loss of the hair shaft from the follicle and finally the telogen phase which is the resting phase of the follicle where no hair is produced. The healthy hair follicle spends many months and years in the active anagen phase until it reaches the catagen phase which can last several weeks where active growth of the hair ceases followed by the telogen phase where the hair sheds from the follicle.

This phase may last several months at which time the anagen phase begins again with the growth of a new here. The change that occurs in the haircycle is signaled by genetics and it’s effect on hormones in the hair follicle and neurotransmitters. The immune system has a profound effect on this signaling and has a greater influence in women.

Whereas male pattern baldness is most often controlled by genetics and the impact on the hormones that affect the hair follicle, hair loss in women is more affected by inflammatory processes from the immune system in the background of Genetics and hormones. Because the causes of female pattern hair loss are different than those that we see in men, our medical therapies have shown a much higher degree of hair regrowth and stabilization then in the male population.

The following medical issues are common associated findings in women with hair loss particularly in those who may be genetically predisposed to hair loss based on family history.

Medical issues producing hair loss over a period of months:

1. Recent major illness associated with fever
2. Recent surgery and anesthesia
3. Recent emotional stress
4. Exposure to drugs or toxins
5. Childbirth or nursing
6. Nutritional. Change
7. Use of hair products or treatments

Medical issues producing hair loss over a longer period of time:

1. Endocrine disorder, thyroid disease or male hormone excess

2. Major chronic illness

3. Iron deficiency anemia

4. Inflammatory disease of the scalp,dermatitis(seborrheic or other)

5. Infectious conditions of the scalp

6. Dietary changes such as crash weight loss diets

7. Use of hair products or hair treatments

The Examination

The examination is an important part of the journey to achieve better, thicker hair. We perform a careful examination of the hair and scalp which includes magnified photos and close examination using a dermascope. Hair count are done along with determination of various ratios of hairs in the various stages and determination of the degree of shedding. The important thing for women to know is that baldness is not a feature of female pattern hair loss and through medical therapy stabilization of loss and in most cases regrowth can be achieved.

Because most women will experience thinning or shedding as a result of an inflammatory condition superimposed on genetic predisposition our treatment are directed to these two underlying themes, and treatment options fall into these categories:

1. Topical hair growth stimulators
2. Low level laser treatments
3. Nutraceuticals
4. Pharmaceuticals taken orally
5. Platelet rich plasma by injection into the scalp or microneedling
6. Treatment of scalp with prescribed shampoos and conditioners

Call Now to Schedule Your Appointment (949) 313 2600

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