Treatments for the Top 3 Types of Female Hair Loss

Even in severe cases, hair can spontaneously start to grow again even after years of loss.

Much have 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.

The three most common types of hair loss in women are androgenic alopecia (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 experiencing hair loss:

1. Treatments for Androgenic Alopecia (Female Pattern Baldness)

In most instances, minoxidil is the first treatment used. This is one of only two FDA-approved hair loss products 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 (and with a physician’s approval).

In some cases of female hair loss, doctors 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 vary.

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.

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 help to create a scalp environment conducive for healthy hair growth.

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.

• 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 vary.

• 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.

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 scammers to make outlandish claims. The fact remains that there is no miracle cure 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, depending on the treatment used.