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Common treatments of hair loss in women.
Much has been said and written about modern day hair loss treatments but this tends to relate almost exclusively to men. Do these same treatments offer solutions to women suffering from hair loss or is there a completely different category of remedies available? It really depends on what is causing hair loss in the first place and as the most common causes of hair loss are the same as those that affect men, the treatments available are pretty similar.
In an earlier article we concluded that the three most common causes of hair loss in women are female pattern baldness, telogen effluvium and alopecia areata. We'll now look at each of these in turn and examine the best treatments available, bearing in mind the specific needs of women:
1. Treatments for female pattern baldness.
In most instances minoxidil (Rogaine) is the first treatment used. This is one of only two FDA approved hair loss treatments and it remains the only one approved for use by women. Minoxidil comes in the form of a topical solution that works by tackling the symptoms of hair loss and helping to generate new hair growth. It does not target the causes of hair loss and will not work for everyone. The women's version of minoxidil is a 2% solution but the 5% version marketed for men can be used if necessary.
The most popular drug for treating male pattern baldness is of course finasteride (Propecia). Women of child bearing age should not use this drug due to the severely damaging effects it can have on unborn male fetuses. Any women considering using Propecia should discuss it first with their physician. In some cases your doctor may prescribe a different androgen blocker called spironolactone as a means of stopping the hormone activity that is causing hair loss. Spironolactone is normally used as a diuretic and results may be variable.
There is a bewildering range of commercial products available, most of which are aimed squarely at men but many are also suitable for women to use. Whether they work or not is another question but some products containing ingredients like saw palmetto, stinging nettle, pygeum and green tea have shown their value. You can find out more about these and other poential hair loss solutions by visiting the
site listed at the end of this article.
2. Treatments for telogen effluvium
This is a hair loss condition that generally does not require any specific treatment. Once the effects of the trauma that caused hair loss in the first place have subsided, the hair will regrow of its own accord. Some patients like to encourage the regrowth process by using minoxidil but this isn't necessary. Implementing a good nutritional regime and supplementing with B-vitamins may help to create a hair friendly environment.
3. Treatments for alopecia areata.
This is another hair loss condition that may resolve itself spontaneously. In some cases one of the following treatments may prove useful:
- Daily application of minoxidil (Rogaine).
- Injection of cortisone into patchy areas of the scalp (this must be administered by a physician). Creams and lotions containing cortisone can also be used but results are variable.
- Dithranol can be applied to the scalp in mild or early cases.
- Application of 100% aloe vera gel.
- Massage the scalp with rosemary and lavender essential oils in a jojoba base.
- Use of a hair loss product containing the Chinese herb He Shou Wu.
- A product called Calosol has recently generated positive feedback.
Please note, however, that none of these is guaranteed to work due to the unpredictable nature of alopecia areata. It is this uncertainty that offers opportunities for scamsters to make outlandish claims. The fact remains, there are no miracle cures for advanced forms of alopecia areata so sufferers may wish to consider other options such as head coverings and wigs.
This does not mean that patients are without hope because, even in severe cases, hair can spontaneously start to grow again even after years of loss.
Please go to Hair Loss Treatments for Women to find out more about the issues covered in this article.
About the Author
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the www.myhairlossadvisor.com website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss.
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| Hair Loss and Its Causes -- familydoctor.org |
| Information about hair loss from the American Academy of Family Physicians. |
| familydoctor.org |
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| Welcome to Hairloss.com |
| Provides men and women with information about thinning hair, baldness, and hair replacement. |
| www.hairloss.com |
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| Consumer Hair Loss Information & Support. What really works? |
| Find out how you can stop your hair loss today. The latest research, hair transplant info, b&a photos, forums, newsletter, info on Propecia and Rogaine and ... |
| www.hairlosstalk.com |
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| MedlinePlus: Hair Diseases and Hair Loss |
| National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases The primary NIH organization for research on Hair Diseases and Hair Loss is the ... |
| www.nlm.nih.gov |
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| MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hair loss |
| This is generally the least expensive and safest approach to hair loss. Hair pieces should not be sutured to the scalp because of the risk of scars and ... |
| www.nlm.nih.gov |
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| Hair Loss |
| Hair loss treatment information including products such as Propecia, Avodart, Nizoral, Rogaine, nonsurgical hair replacement and hair transplants for ... |
| www.regrowth.com |
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| Hair Loss |
| Article about how it grows, causes of hair loss, kinds of treatment, and tips to keep it healthy. |
| www.kidshealth.org |
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| ahlc.org | The American Hair Loss Council | Welcome |
| The American Hair Loss Council is the nation's only, unbiased, not-for-profit agency, dedicated to sorting through this information, discovering what works ... |
| www.ahlc.org |
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| Male hair loss |
| Male hair loss is the most common type of hair loss. It is caused by increased sensitivity to male sex hormones (androgens) in certain parts of the scalp, ... |
| www.netdoctor.co.uk |
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| AAD - Hair Loss |
| However, if you are concerned about excessive hair loss or dramatic ... The constant pull causes some hair loss, especially along the sides of the scalp. ... |
| www.aad.org |
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| Hair loss - MayoClinic.com |
| Hair loss may result from heredity, medications or underlying medical conditions. |
| www.mayoclinic.com |
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| Hair loss help - Hair Transplant Doctors - Hair loss product ... |
| Hair transplant doctor & hair loss treatments - hair loss forum and information on Rogaine, Propecia, Dutasteride. |
| www.hairlosshelp.com |
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| American Hair Loss Association - Home Page |
| Provides consumer hair loss information. Devoted to finding a cure for hair loss and increasing worldwide awareness and understanding of this disease. |
| www.americanhairloss.org |
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| Hair Loss Treatment & Product Reviews - Folica.com |
| Clinically proven to regrow hair better than any other topical treatment, Spectral DNC is the world’s most effective topical hair loss treatment. ... |
| www.folica.com |
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| Hair Loss Treatments Ireland |
| Advice on how to combat thinning hair, baldness plus hair replacement. Also suppliers of the hairmax LaserComb. |
| www.hairloss.ie |
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| Hair Loss and other health information |
| /Find Hair Loss health articles and videos and other Hair Loss health topics. |
| sciencedaily.healthology.com |
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| Find hair-loss information and treatment options. |
| Male pattern hair loss can be treated. Read about this FDA-approved hair-loss drug. |
| www.propecia.com |
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| Hair loss and Hairloss advice on all hair loss treatments ... |
| Information on hair loss and thinning hair as well as treatment details including propecia and minoxidil. |
| www.stophairlossnow.co.uk |
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| Regaine® - Hair Loss Treatment for Men and Women |
| Hair loss affects 40% of men under 35. Regaine for Men is the only ... Regaine for Women is proven to help prevent further hair loss for 4 out of 5 women, ... |
| www.regaine.co.uk |
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| Hair loss, balding, hair shedding. DermNet NZ |
| Authoritative facts about the skin from the New Zealand Dermatological Society. |
| dermnetnz.org |
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