Deep Rooted Effects of Female Hair Loss

By Alan J. Bauman, M.D.

A woman’s hair is her crowning glory. Until you start to lose it.

Over 30 million women in the U.S. are suffering from hair loss or thinning, and while hair loss is often falsely thought of as merely a cosmetic problem, surveys and studies have found that hair loss can have wide-ranging effects on those afflicted, including loss of confidence and self-esteem, and in some cases, depression, anxiety and other emotional issues. The psychological effects of hair loss can be especially damaging to women.

A study conducted by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that women suffered more emotionally and mentally, and were more likely to develop a negative body image due to hair loss when compared to men who were dealing with the same issue. Why is hair loss so emotionally and psychologically devastating to women? In nearly every culture, hair is associated with youth, beauty, and good health, which explains why we try so hard to hold onto it.

There are many misconceptions about female hair loss, most notably how common it is. Roughly half of all women over the age of 40 suffer from some form of hair loss. That’s right – half. While most people tend to think of hair loss as a man’s problem, the reality is that women are almost just as likely as men to lose their hair. They do however lose their hair differently, the main difference being that female hair loss occurs more diffusely over the affected areas of scalp, leaving some follicles unscathed while severely miniaturizing others.

Genetics and other factors determine the time of onset, speed and severity of loss over time. Female hair loss can be mild or severe, and there are a variety of factors at work that determine how a woman’s hair will change over time. Hair loss can start at any age – teens, twenties, thirties, forties, and a woman’s risk skyrockets after menopause. But despite its prevalence, there is an undeniable societal stigma associated with female hair loss. When men experience hair loss, they have the option to simply shave it off and forget about it, where unfortunately for women, there isn’t a similar socially acceptable option. This is where the higher risk of depression, anxiety and embarrassment comes into play for women.

Luckily, today, there are is a wide-range of treatments for women that can help combat hair loss and thinning at all stages. From FDA-approved minoxidil to special marine-derived supplements, low-level laser therapy, prostaglandin analogs, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and NeoGraft and ARTAS robotic-assisted FUE hair transplants, there are several highly effective medical treatment options available for female hair loss patients. There are also genetic tests available that can predict a woman’s hair loss risk later in life and a scientific measuring tool called HairCheck that can help professionals accurately measure, analyze and track the amount of hair in various areas of scalp over time. This can help monitor hair loss or hair regrowth from treatments over time.

Whether the hair loss is the result of aging, natural hormonal changes, and/or other underlying causes, in most cases, hair loss is a treatable condition and not something you have to live with or hide. Preventing further hair loss and improving hair growth can help restore a feeling of vitality, youth and confidence for women.

If you are experiencing hair loss or thinning, contact a board-certified hair restoration physician who can work with you to determine the most effective treatment regimen for your specific needs and scientifically track your progress. Patients should look for doctor who is a full-time medical hair loss specialist who is certified by the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery and recommended by the American Hair Loss Association. Only a qualified and experienced hair restoration physician can perform natural-looking hair transplants and prescribe the most effective multi-therapy treatment options, including the latest available products.

Alan J. Bauman, M.D. is a full-time hair transplant surgeon who has treated over 17,000 patients and performed over 7,000 surgical procedures since starting his medical hair loss practice, Bauman Medical Group, in 1997. Currently located in Boca Raton, Florida, Dr. Bauman received his M.D. degree from New York Medical College and surgical residency training at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Please visit https://baumanmedical.com/