Hair loss in women can be a more traumatic experience compared to that of men. This commonly happens because baldness is a much more frequent phenomenon among men, but it is an odd event among women generally. As a result, baldness in men becomes more acceptable, where as a woman facing the same problem may receive unwanted attention, and she may feel more traumatized. There are several techniques available nowadays for hair restoration for women.

Women patients of hair loss should understand that their pattern of hair loss is quite different from that of men. Therefore, it needs treatment from a specialist who is experienced in handling hair loss treatments for women. Thinning of hair is more commonly seen in women, where as men suffer from a typical pattern of a receding hairline or patches of baldness.

Among the various treatments available for hair restoration, hair transplant is the most effective approach. An experienced hair transplant surgeon will first evaluate the characteristics of the patient’s hair, and then decide the best treatment approach for her. Common hair transplant procedures include Follicular Unit Extraction technique, Multi Unit Grafting technique and Follicular Unit Transplant. In case of Follicular Unit Transplant technique, the transplantation involves individual handling of every follicular hair unit. Multi Unit Grafting technique involves transplantation of groups of follicular units in a single graft. Follicular Unit Extraction technique is more suited for patients who seek shorter hairstyle.

Hair restoration for women is also possible in cases where the patient is reluctant to opt for hair transplant surgery. In such situations, the woman patient may like to go for hair loss medication course or laser hair treatment. In case of laser hair therapy, the hair scalp is exposed to mild levels of laser beams. This helps to rejuvenate the hair follicles due to an increased blood flow, and results in a thicker growth of hair.

In many cases, the woman patient may not prefer hair transplant or laser therapy. In milder cases of hair loss among women, it is also possible to restore the hair by taking using Minoxidil. Minoxidil is an FDA approved medication that can successfully treat mild cases of hair loss. However, the downside of this treatment is that it continues to be effective for the hair only as long as the drug course is continued. Once the patient stops the medication, chances are that the hair loss may resume as before. Rogaine is a popular product with this medication to curb hair loss among women. Some patients also report successful hair restoration with herbal and other alternative treatments.

First off lets look at some male hair growth treatments that are not applicable as a hair loss treatment of women. One of the most famous is a drug called Finasteride. This drug, which is approved by the US FDA for the treatment of hair loss in men is not recommended for women because of the possibility of birth defects. Originally, this drug was developed to treat enlarged prostate in men by limiting the amount of DHT in the body. DHT, dihydrotestosterone, is the substance that has been found to be the cause of hair follicles damage when a man or woman suffers from androgenic alopecia which is commonly referred to as male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss. It is really quite effective at decreasing the levels of DHT which is a metabolite of the male hormone testosterone. And other than a few side effects such as decreased libido in males it seems to be fairly safe for men.

Finasteride has a completely different risk factor when used as a women hair loss treatment. It appears as though Finasteride affects the testosterone levels in women which has its biggest effect when the women is pregnant with a male child. Testosterone is important for the proper development of male sex organs in fetuses and if the levels are not correct horrific birth defects can occur. For this reason, a pregnant woman or one who is of child bearing age is not even allowed to touch the Finasteride tablets for fear the active ingredient may be absorbed through the skin. This is not a drug to use for female hair loss treatments.

Another male treatment for Hair Loss that is not effective for women is hair implants use withed the standard hair implantation surgery. When men lose their hair they tend to have localized bald spots on the top of the head at the hairline and the crown areas. This means, the hair at the back or posterior section of the scalp is still thick. This thick growth allows for the easy removal of growing hair follicles to be transplanted into the balding area. This is not the case as a women hair loss treatment though.

Women will tend to have thinning hair over their entire head instead of localized patches of hair loss. This means there is no thick hair growth anywhere on the head to be used as a donation site. Thus the standard hair implantation method of hair restoration can not be utilized. But don’t give up hope there are hair implantation procedures that can be used for women hair loss treatments.

The follicular unit extraction method of hair restoration is effective as a way to transplant hair into a women’s thin hair areas. This method allows for the individual manipulation of hair follicles which means now body hairs can be transplanted. These body hairs are not of the same texture as the scalp hair but they do work well as filler hair. In particular, it is very effective for a surgeon to implant these follicles interspersed with the natural hairs to give a fuller look. This is one women’s hair loss treatment that does seem to give good results.

Another method of female hair growth is the FDA approved drug Minoxidil. Unlike Finasteride, Minoxidil is approved for use by both men and women. The concentrations of the solutions are different with women using a 2% solution while men use a 5% solution. Many women have applied the 5% solution with good results but the FDA has only approved the solution at the lesser concentration.

Minoxidil was originally developed as a high blood pressure medication but during trials it was found that men who were suffering from male pattern baldness also found hair growth increasing. Further studies proved the fact that Minoxidil can help stop or slow down hair loss and can even help some hair to regrow.

If you are looking for women hair loss treatments then you need to know there are not a lot to choose from but these seem to be effective.

The first problem with finding a women hair loss treatment is the fact that the medical establishment has not spent much time and effort on trying to find a solution. One cause of this is the fact that women did not make public their need for balding treatments until just lately. This was a personal matter which was not talked about. Instead, the woman with the hair loss was expected to try to hide the problem as much as possible. Thus women wore wigs, scarves, and hats to cover up their balding and thinning hair. While men were having several different hair loss treatment options discovered there was no work on finding answers to the problems directed at women. It was almost like the problem didn’t matter. Society did such a good job of keeping this problem under wraps that most people have no clue as to the percentage of hair loss cases that involve women, it is 40%. Almost half the people with bald spots or thin spots are women. Surprising, huh?

The second problem that makes finding hair loss treatments for women possible is the manifestation of the hair loss in women VS men. 95% of men, and a like percentage of women, who complain of hair loss have a medical condition called androgenic alopecia. The genetic medical problem is passed down from either the patient’s mother or father or both.

In men, androgenic alopecia is called male pattern baldness. The name is derived from the fact that male will tend to lose their hair only in localized patches on the head instead of over the entire head. In fact I am sure you have seen the results of this problem in men with hair on the sides and back of the head but nothing on top. This pattern hair loss makes possible the hair transplantation surgery because the surgeon can remove some of the hair at the back of the head and implant it into the balding area. This give a very good result for attacking male pattern baldness.

When women suffer from androgenic alopecia it is called female pattern baldness but in reality there is no pattern effect. Instead the woman will tend to have hair fall out over the entire scalp causing thinning hair. This means there is no good hair donation area in which to harvest hairs to implant into the balding spot. And in fact it wouldn’t help anyway because the entire scalp will be having thinning problems. This fact has kept women out of the hair transplantation market since is was initiated over 60 years ago.

The womens hair loss treatment that shows the most promise is a drug that has been approved by the US FDA as a treatment for female hair loss. Minoxidil is the name of the drug and seems to be an effective hair loss product. This is really the only treatment for hair loss in women that has gone through the trials to prove efficacy. Minoxidil is applied topically to the scalp twice a day in a 2% solution. Men use a 5% solution, and many women have with good results and no side effects, but the FDA only recommends a 2% solution as a hair loss treatment for women.

Some of the reason that you may be experiencing thinning or balding problems could be hormonal, medical, or external. It is very common for a woman to experience thinning hair due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and birth. This is interesting because a woman’s hair usually is very healthy during the pregnancy due to the inclusion of prenatal vitamins. After the birth though, due to physical changes and possibly stress and worry, the new mother can experience hair thinning. This condition will usually right itself in a few months.

There also can be marked hair loss during menopause due to the changes in a woman’s hormonal chemistry. This can be alleviated with treatments prescribed by your health care provider. If you are in middle age and starting to see thinning hair or balding talk to your doctor immediately. He or she can help you develop a female hair loss treatment for this time in your life.

Another common cause of hair loss is due to medical procedures and treatments. For example, radiation therapy and chemotherapy can both be causes for dramatic and sometimes total hair loss. This condition also will right itself once the treatment program is completed.

Traction alopecia or hair loss due to pulling is also fairly common in women who wear tightly bound hair like in pony tails and braids. The pulling of the hair actually breaks it off at the scalp line. This hair will grow back because the hair follicles are not usually damaged. Treatment for hair loss in women due to this problem include wearing your hair looser and using a good conditioner to help with any brittleness of the hair.

Hair Loss Treatments For Women

The last cause is Androgenetic Alopecia which has usually been referred to as male pattern baldness but is also name female pattern hair loss. This is a genetic condition that is manifested by hair loss caused from DHT attacking the hair follicles and causing them to stop producing hair shaft material. There are two FDA approved drugs for male pattern baldness that seem to be effective. The first, Finasteride, is not prescribed to women though because of the potential for side effects including birth defects in male babies.

The second drug has been approved by the US FDA as a treatment for hair loss in women. Minoxidil is usually sold under the brand name Rogaine but it has recently been sold in generic form also. Minoxidil actually protects the hair follicles from the DHT by inhibiting the ability of the DHT to bond with receptors on the hair follicle. It is usually applied in a solution with 2% or 5% active ingredient. This treatment has shown good results as a hair loss treatment for women.