All About Female Pattern Hair Loss

Hair Loss is mainly presumed to be a condition found in males and in majority of the cases it is true. However, even females can at times suffer from hair loss. Hair loss in females can affect their overall facial features and the way they look. Since Female Pattern Hair Loss may not be immediately observable when compared to males many females hardly complain about it or even notice it. It is when the hair loss starts becoming more visible and the receding hairline more evident that such females go to physicians for fear of looking unattractive.

In fact, the fear of losing all hair in females is as bad as any other potentially serious medical condition as it has its own psychological ramifications. The most common Female Pattern Hair Loss is the Androgenetic Alopecia. Additionally, Alopecia Areata and hair loss due to an injury are also some of the causes of Female Pattern Hair Loss. Hair pulling which is actually a behavioral disorder is again one of the rare reasons for this hair loss in females.

The treatment for Female Pattern Hair Loss depends on the underlying cause which is diagnosed by conducting a thorough history of the patient. A detailed physical examination is also done to identify the potential cause for Female Pattern Hair Loss. A blood test may also be done in some cases to rule out any infection that may be causing the hair loss. While hair loss in females can occur at any part of the body the condition becomes significantly distressing when it affects the scalp.

In minor cases where there is just minimal exposure of the scalp that can be covered with styling the hairs. However, if there is more diffuse hair loss then it may affect the overall confidence of the female. Read below to know the causes and the treatment options for Female Pattern Hair Loss.

What Causes Female Pattern Hair Loss?

There are certain medical conditions that may lead to Female Pattern Hair, including tumors in the ovaries. There may also be hair loss observed after the delivery of a child due to certain hormonal changes. Hair loss is also common in females who have attained menopause. Additionally, females who are anemic, have thyroid disorders, or have problems with adequate nutrition all are vulnerable to Female Pattern Hair Loss.

Females with connective tissue disorders also are at increased risk for developing hair loss. Stress also plays a major role in Female Pattern Hair Loss. There are certain surgical procedures which are also responsible in hair loss in certain females.

Medications also are believed to be responsible for causing Female Pattern Hair Loss in some cases. However, in such cases the hairs generally grow back to normal once the medication is stopped or changed. Hair Loss in females is also common in those who have a family history of it.

Classifications of Female Pattern Hair Loss

According to the Ludwig Scale, Female Pattern Hair Loss can be classified into the following types:

Type I: This is a stage where the hair loss is minimal. Many females will not even be able to notice that they are having hair loss as the hairline remains intact. In type-I Female Pattern Hair Loss there is loss of hairs from the top and front of the scalp. Hair loss can only be observed if the hairs are parted from the center as more scalp becomes visible.

Type II: This type of hair loss is moderate in nature. In this stage, females can observe significant thinning and shedding of hairs. There is observable reduction in the quantity of hair right at the center portion of the head which continues to become wide with time. Female Pattern Hair Loss Type-II generally requires a hair transplant procedure for treatment and regrowth of hairs.

Type III: In this stage, there is severe thinning of the hairs and scalp is more and more evident to the naked eye. This type of Female Pattern Hair Loss again can only be treated with hair transplant procedure.

How is Hair Loss Diagnosed?

For a definitive diagnosis of the cause of the Hair Loss, the physician will first take a detailed history of the patient, including personal and family history. Once history taking is done then certain investigative tests will be ordered to come to the bottom of the cause of the Hair Loss. These tests include:
Pull Test: This test involves pulling of a few strands of hair forcefully to check whether any hairs come out of their groove. This gives the physician an idea of whether the quality of hair of the patient is healthy and strong.
Skin Lesion KOH Test: This test involves scraping some samples from the scalp of the patient to observe the hair roots. This gives the physician an idea as to whether there is an infection responsible for Hair Loss.
Blood Test: These are done to identify any underlying medical condition like a thyroid disorder that may be responsible for Hair Loss in the patient.
Microscopy: This is done to observe the hair shaft and see whether there is any abnormality there that may be causing the Hair Loss.

How is Female Pattern Hair Loss Treated?

Female Pattern Hair Loss can be treated both conservatively and surgically. The most preferred medication to treat Female Pattern Hair Loss is Minoxidil. A 2% concentration medication has shown to be quite effective for females with hair loss. It is a topical medication and should be applied directly to the area of the hair loss at least two times a day for optimum benefits and prevent further hair loss.

In addition, some females resort to wearing external accessories like wigs if they find medications to be ineffective in preventing hair loss. If all conservative methods of treatment for Female Pattern Hair Loss fail, then physicians resort to hair transplant procedure for regrowth of hairs in Female Pattern Hair Loss. This procedure involves taking hair from a donor site or a place where there is dense hair and placing it on the areas where there is thinning of hair.

Surgery: Hair Transplant is an extremely effective procedure and is only done by a skilled and experienced surgeon. It has been proved that hair transplant procedures result in a marked change in the overall appearance of patient and make a female with hair loss look more attractive and pretty than before. Among all the types of hair transplant surgeries, DHT or Direct Hair Transplantation is found to be the most effective method. The physicians at Dr. Rajeshwari’s clinic conduct DHT procedures with great acumen and have given 100% natural looking hairs to many patients.

PRP Treatments:The physicians at Dr. Rajeshwari’s clinic have also performed successful PRP Treatments in many patients. This is yet another novel method for treatment of hair loss. This method involves taking blood from an area of the body, specifically the arms, and breaking it down into its constituents of platelet poor plasma, platelet rich plasma, and red blood cells. The platelet rich plasma is then taken in a syringe and injected in the area of the scalp where there is thinning of hair. The PRP promotes growth of natural hairs by stimulating the hair follicles.

Scalp Micropigmentation: Dr. Rajeshwari’s clinic provides an alternative solution for people who are averse to surgical treatment for hair loss. This is called scalp micropigmentation. In this method, a special pigment is applied to the scalp with extremely fine needles to create numerous tiny impressions which replicate natural hairs. It is an extremely economical nonsurgical way of treating hair loss and is equally effective for all types of hairs.

Can Hair Loss be Prevented?

Hair Loss caused due to the normal process of aging cannot be prevented. However, steps can be taken to prevent loss and damage by avoiding chemical use in the hair like hair color and hair dyes. It is also recommended not to use hair dryers for long periods of time as it literally pulls the hair out from their shafts thereby damaging it. This makes the hair weak and brittle.
For healthy hair, it is always best to practice good hair hygiene by shampooing it regularly. Additionally, eating a diet rich in proteins, vitamin B, and iron is also quite effective in preventing hair loss. Keeping the thyroid levels under control and seeking immediate levels if diagnosed with an underactive or overactive thyroid is also recommended to prevent Hair Loss.