Female Baldness Treatment
The hair loss of female pattern baldness is permanent. In most cases, it is mild to moderate. No treatment is required if the person is comfortable with her appearance.
The only drug
or medication approved by the United States Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) to treat female pattern baldness is minoxidil,
used topically on the scalp. For women, the 2% concentration is
recommended. Minoxidil may help hair to grow in 20% to 25% of the
female population, and in the majority it may slow or stop the loss of
hair. Treatment is expensive, however. Hair loss recurs when
minoxidil's use is stopped.
Hair transplants
consist of removal of tiny plugs of hair from areas where the hair is
continuing to grow and placing them in areas that are balding. This can
cause minor scarring in the donor areas and carries a modest risk for
skin infection. The procedure usually requires multiple transplantation
sessions and may be expensive. Results, however, are often excellent
and permanent.
Suturing of hair pieces to the scalp
is not recommended as it can result in scars, infections, and abscess
of the scalp. The use of hair implants made of artificial fibers was
banned by the FDA because of the high rate of infection.
Hair
weaving, hairpieces, or change of hairstyle may disguise hair loss and
improve cosmetic appearance. This is often the least expensive and
safest method of treating female pattern baldness.
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Female Pattern Baldness The typical pattern of female pattern baldness is different from that of male pattern baldness. The hair thins all over the head, but the frontal hairline is maintained.
Female Pattern Baldness Cause The cause of the failure to grow new hair in female pattern baldness is not well understood, but it is associated with genetic predisposition, aging, and levels of endocrine hormones (particulary androgens, the male sex hormones).
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