Female hair loss video coming soon!
Dr Rogers has started producing short videos to give patients basic information on a variety of subjects. Here is a taster:
“Today I’m going to talk to you about female hair loss
Female hair loss is a more complicated subject than male hair loss, which is generally straightforward genetic male pattern hair loss.
Female hair loss is most commonly genetic but there are quite a number of other conditions in women that can affect the hair quality
Classic genetic female pattern hair loss gives thinning of the hair in an oval pattern, on the front third of the scalp but retaining a strong hairline without recession.
However, some women are susceptible to thinning and receding of the temples, which makes it look like male pattern hair loss. And this is also genetic.
But it’s important to bear in mind that some hormonal conditions will produce a similar appearance too. And to add to confusion, there is some overlap between the causes.
So let’s talk about the other conditions causing female hair loss.
Hormonal
Hormones have powerful effects in the body, so it’s no surprise that they can affect hair quality.
The thyroid hormone, thyroxine, will affect hair quality, whether it’s underactive or overactive. It’s important to keep a steady thyroxine level
Oestrogens and testosterone.
Most people will be aware that women produce oestrogen which is the hormone for female characteristics. A deficiency in oestrogen will lead to poor hair quality which is in part responsible for the change in hair quality after the menopause which results in decreased oestrogen production.
Testosterone is also produced naturally in women in small quantities and that is normal. However, a high natural level in women who have the genetics for male pattern hair loss, will produce male pattern type hair loss – as in receding temples and thinning on the crow.
This overlaps with conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome where high testosterone levels will give increased body hair, acne and male pattern hair loss.
Autoimmune
Women suffer from autoimmune conditions more frequently than men and this includes, alopecia areata, frontal fibrosing alopecia, thyroiditis etc
Dietary
It’s quite common for women to be careful with their diets either for health reasons, ethical reasons like Veganism or simply to control their weight.
Hair is continuously growing, therefore requires a continuous source of high quality nutrition, particularly iron, B12, folate and fatty acids. All of these are found in the typical Western red meat and vegetables diet but extra care does need to be taken if other diets are followed.
If you are deficient in nutrition, then hair quality (and nails) will soon become poorer – finer, brittle, slower growing hair.
Treatments
If there are obvious causes, such as iron deficiency, then this first needs treating. And to restore normal levels of iron, it can take 12 months of iron supplements.
Likewise if there are hormonal disturbances, then these need to be treated first but it can take 12 months or more to show improvement in hair quality.
Various medications can help, as well as supplements. But a full range of blood tests should be taken first.
SMP (scalp micropigmentation) can help improve the apparent density of the hair and reduce the “see through” look.
Lastly, women can also have very successful hair transplants.”
Watch out for the full female hair loss video More female hair loss information here