Hair Restoration for Women

Do Women suffer from hair loss?

Yes.  Although hair loss in women is not as common of an occurence as hair loss in men, women do indeed suffer from thinning or loss of hair especially in the forehead region.  In fact, about 1 out of 5 women experience hair loss to the degree that they would consider medical or surgical treatment.

What extent of hair loss should I expect?

In women, hair loss is not typically seen to progress to the same extent as that in men.  Most patients complain of thinning of the hair in the forehead region and not baldness.  Occasionally patients can have patches of baldness or frank baldness in these regions but this rarely progresses to the degree that is seen in men.

What causes hair loss in women?

The most common cause of hair loss in women is a process called Androgenic Alopecia, which means Male Pattern Baldness.  The reason for this name is that the cause of this pattern of baldness is the interaction of testosterone (typically associated as a male hormone) with the hair cells in the forehead and temple regions.  Although testosterone is known as a male hormone, it is also present in females to a lesser degree.  In some females who are genetically prone to this type of hair loss, the hair cells in the forehead and temple region will begin to thin and fall resulting in hair loss.  This type of hair loss is entirely genetic in origin and the extent of loss is determined by the pattern seen in the family.

Some of the other causes of hair loss can be classified as infectious such as tinea capitis (fungal infection of the scalp), autoimmune (immune system attacks the hair follicles) such as alopecia areata or traumatic such as seen after surgery or burns.  Each of these conditions are treated differently and thus would need to be appropriately diagnosed.

Hair Loss Treatment for Women

Although several treatments are available for hair restoration, the most effective treatment is hair transplantation using patient’s own hair.

What are the indications for hair transplantation?

The indications for this procedure are thinning of the hair, hair loss or hair loss due to injury.

What does hair transplantation accomplish?

This procedure redistributes the hair from the back of the head to the balding areas.

What is the recovery time associated with this procedure?

Typically it takes about one week before one can return to normal work.

Is everyone a candidate for hair transplantation?

Most people will be a candidate for hair transplantation, however, several factors need to be considered. These factors include but are not limited to age, pattern of baldness, family history and general health. This can be decided after a consultation with a hair transplant surgeon.