Female Pattern Baldness
Women, unfortunately, also have problems with hair
loss as they get
older. There are numerous causes for women's hair
loss and female pattern baldness. It is important to visit your dermatologist to
determine the exact cause of your hair loss. The
following discussion centers around female pattern baldness,
also known as, female androgenetic alopecia.
Women's hair
loss begins with a miniaturization of the hair, followed by
the complete loss of that hair just as in the male component
of hair loss. Typically, women will notice diffuse hair
loss throughout the mid-scalp but retain the majority of
their hairline.
Although this
form of hair loss has always been assumed to be related to the
male pattern baldness, it is Dr. Norwood's and Dr. Lehr's
belief that female pattern baldness is, in fact, a
separate entity. In fact,
Dr. Norwood and Dr. Lehr published an article recently,
discussing the differences in male pattern baldness and female
pattern baldness,
initiating the argument that these
two types of hair loss should
not be considered the same disease just in different sexes.
To review the highlights of this article, click on
"Female
Androgenetic Alopecia: A Separate Entity"
Dermatologic
Surgery 2000; 26: 679-682.
Some female hair loss is in more of a male pattern
baldness with
recession of their temples
and loss over the vertex of their scalp. This form of
hair loss
has many similarities with the standard male pattern
of hair loss, and can be
exacerbated by various forms of
testosterone hormone therapy.
Hair loss may first become noticeable in a small percentage of
females in their 20's, but female pattern baldness may end up
affecting 25 - 30% of women after age 50. We recently
published a study that documents these numbers. To review the
highlights of this article, click on
"Incidence
of Female Androgenetic Alopecia" Dermatologic
Surgery
2001; 27: 53-54.
Medically,
the most effective treatment for female pattern hair loss is
the use of Rogaine
(Monoxidil). For the majority of women it will help stop any
future hair loss. It is important to know that you must
continue with this medication or the hair loss will resume.
Both varieties of female hair loss and scars from the
face-lifts or brow-lifts typically do very well with hair
transplant surgery in the appropriate patients. The technique
is described in our Follicular Unit Transplant Surgery page.
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| Before
& After Hair Transplant Surgery |
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In Spencer David Kobren's comprehensive and objective book "The
Truth About Women's Hair Loss", Dr. Blaine Lehr is
one of only twelve hair transplant surgeons nationwide listed
as being highly recommended. |
