Posted by Your Medi Tresse Team
It certainly is more common as women age, particularly after menopause, but it can start as early as the teenage years. Female pattern hair loss tends to run in families, and inheritance can be from either the mother or father, but sometimes there is no family history. We know that hormones play a role in this type of hair loss, especially the “androgenic” hormones such as testosterone.
Female pattern hair loss is typically more pronounced in the frontal areas of the scalp. Over time the hair shaft gets thinner in a process known as “miniaturization”. Your hair goes through a constant life cycle, as we naturally shed and grow new hairs. However, miniaturization occurs, because the anagen phase, or growth phase, of the hair cycle gets shorter, which means the hair is not able to grow as long or thick as it has in the past. Eventually if not treated, the affected hair will continue to get smaller and disappear completely.
The good news is there are great treatment options for female pattern hair loss, but it is very important to start as early as possible. If a hair has been lost for a long time there is no way to get it back, unless you surgically transplant a different follicle in that area. However, with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) you can reverse the miniaturization and thicken and grow existing hairs. If your loss is recent, we may be able to re-activate dormant follicles so that they start producing a hair again. If you think you may be experiencing signs of female pattern hair loss it is important to see a hair loss specialist as soon as possible so that they can diagnose your type of hair loss and come up with a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.