Almost every woman eventually develops some degree of female-pattern hair loss and as many as two-thirds suffer hair thinning or bald spots. It can start any time after the onset of puberty, but women tend to first notice it around menopause, when hair loss typically increases. The risk rises with age, and it’s higher for women with a history of hair loss on either side of the family.
Androgenic alopecia, also known as female-pattern hair loss is characterized by progressive visible thinning of scalp hair or balding in genetically susceptible women. Hair loss often has a more devastating impact on women than on most men considering it’s less ‘socially acceptable’ for them. Alopecia can severely impact a woman’s emotional well-being and quality of life.
The most common type of hair loss in both sexes – in men, genetic hair loss typically begins above the temples forming an “M” shaped receding hairline, often progressing to baldness. Hair loss begins with thinning at the part line followed by increased diffuse hair loss. Fortunately enough for women, in only rare cases does a female’s hairline recede and rarely become bald.
It’s important to note- there are several potential causes of hair loss in women including medical conditions, medications, and emotional stress. Find an experienced hair restoration specialist to determine the cause before proceeding with any hair loss treatments.
Hair Restoration clinics will use the Ludwig classification to describe female pattern hair loss.
Type I – described as minimal thinning
Type II – characterized by noticeable decrease in volume, and noticeable widening of the part-line
Type III – displays diffuse thinning, making a see-through appearance on top of the scalp
FPHL (female-pattern hair loss) or the thinning of hair and subsequent shedding is due to gradual miniaturization of genetically marked hair follicles and represents shortening of the anagen (growth) phase of the hair follicle with an increase in the telogen/anagen ratio of the affected scalp. An understanding of the normal hair follicle life cycle is critically linked to an appreciation of the physiology of hair loss.
At the cellular level, follicle miniaturization is thought to be caused by a reduction in dermal papilla volume, as a consequence of a decrease in the number of cells per papilla. Nonetheless, hair follicles are still present and cycling, even in bald scalps!
While the clinically detected patterns of male-pattern hair loss (MPHL) have been described in the Norwood classification. On the other hand, hair loss patterns in females are typically characterized by preservation of the anterior hairline and diffuse central thinning over the mid-frontal scalp. However, there are exceptions where men will exhibit a Ludwig pattern of loss while some women can display a typical Norwood pattern.
One treatment option for female-pattern hair loss is PRP procedures with ACell. Platelet-Rich Plasma or its acronym PRP, is an injection of a patients own blood plasma containing a concentration of platelets that deliver an abundance of growth factors such as ACell to boost healing and hair growth. Dr. Yazdan has also had great success using Laser Hair Therapy, GroMD Hair Loss Prevention Shampoo, and in more advanced stages of female-pattern hair loss, a hair restoration surgery may be necessary in order to restore your hair. Maintenance is key in keeping the hair you have while producing thicker, healthier hair!
Diagnosing hair loss in females in known to be a little trickier than in male patients. At Modena Hair Restoration, Dr. Yazdan may order a blood test or perform a small scalp biopsy in order to determine the proper form of hair loss. If you feel you’re experiencing unusual or unexpected hair loss, Modena may have the solution for you!
For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link
