The Center of Hair Restoration and Research has been a leading resource for hair loss treatment for nearly forty years. Through decades of working with hair restoration patients, our hair loss specialists have developed an in-depth understanding of the differences between male and female hair loss. The causes of male hair loss are often very different than the causes of the same symptoms in a woman, and female hair loss tends to progress in a different way than male hair loss does. To help every patient receive the highly specialized care they need, Dermatology Associates of Atlanta has a specialty center dedicated exclusively to treating hair loss in women.
Female vs. Male Hair Loss
While the symptoms of male and female hair loss may look similar, they can be quite different and require specialized and unique treatments. For as many as 95% of male hair loss patients, the symptoms are caused by genetic male pattern baldness. Women, on the other hand, are more likely than men to be experiencing hair loss due to other underlying factors, like hormonal changes, physical or emotional stress, illness, scarring, rapid weight loss, or certain medications. For this reason, it is important for women to have the causes of their hair loss accurately diagnosed so that they can be treated in the most effective and successful way.
Treatments for Women’s Hair Loss
There are many different approaches to hair restoration for women, depending on the underlying causes of your symptoms as well as your other needs. Our highly-skilled hair loss specialists are experts in hair restoration and can help you create a treatment plan which best meets your needs. Your course of treatment may include one or more of the following components:
Topical Medications
While there is an unfortunately large selection of ineffective hair loss creams, some topical medications are effective when used as instructed by a physician who understands your needs. Rogaine®, or minoxidil, is applied to the scalp in order to increase the size of shrinking hair follicles and to keep the follicles in the “hair growth phase” longer. It is most effective for slowing the progression of hair loss in women who are in the earlier stages of their symptoms. Our specialists may also prescribe customized topical compounds that are designed for your specific needs.
Oral Medications
Propecia® (or finasteride) slows the hair loss process by helping to control certain enzymes in the body. These enzymes cause hormonal reactions which shrink the hair follicles, limiting these follicles’ ability to grow hair. Another option is an oral supplement called Viviscal® Professional. This blend of nutrients like vitamins and amino acids helps to restore follicle health from within, allowing for thicker, fuller, stronger hair growth.
Red Light Therapy
For many patients, red light therapy is an effective way to slow the progression of hair loss. The patient wears either a hood-type device (looking similar to the hair dryers you’ll find at a hair salon), or a smaller device called the LaserCap®. Both of these treatments deliver precise red-spectrum light to the skin of the scalp, stimulating the hair follicles into a “hair growth phase.”
Scalp Micropigmentation
An innovative way to treat hair loss in women is to camouflage the hair loss instead of or in addition to other treatment methods. Scalp micropigmentation is a way to do this. During the treatment, our micropigmentation specialist uses advanced tattoo-like techniques to re-create the look of active hair follicles on your scalp. This makes your hair look fuller and more consistent.
Women’s Hair Loss Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to diagnose the cause of hair loss before treating it?
Especially in women, hair loss can be the result of an underlying health condition or of a current medication. Finding the cause of your symptoms allows The Center for Women’s Hair Loss to understand how to approach your treatments and how to stop the hair loss from continuing, if possible.
Why should women’s hair loss be treated differently than men’s?
Simply put, male and female hair loss often have different causes and the symptoms can manifest themselves in a different way. By dedicating our specialty center exclusively to treating hair loss in women, we are able to give female hair restoration patients the focused and customized care they need.
How can I get started with my hair loss treatments?
The first step toward treating hair loss is a consultation and exam at The Center for Women’s Hair Loss. During this meeting, we will be able to discuss your individual needs and begin working toward identifying the cause of your hair loss and developing a customized treatment plan.
To get started, contact The Center for Women’s Hair Loss to schedule a consultation.
