Throughout history, men have endlessly sought for a means to deal with hair loss permanently, and many different hair loss formulas have been created in pursuit of this dream. Modern medicine gave birth to the practices of hair transplants for providing a permanent solution for hair loss. There are two primary ways in which hair transplants are conducted–follicle unit extraction and follicle unit transplant. In recent years, the number of women demanding a solution for excessive thinning of the hair or hair loss has grown drastically, and women now make up a significant portion of the population wanting to use hair transplantation for a permanent solution to hair loss.
Women’s Hair Loss Patterns
Women do not routinely experience the same patterns of hair loss as exhibited in men. Women’s hair tends to lose volume overall, and some patches of balding may begin to appear with age. Although the manner in which the hair loss presents itself differs between men and women, the basic causes of hair loss in both genders remains the same.
Causes of Hair Loss
Hair follicles within the scalp are under the constant influence by the body’s nutrients and hormone levels. When testosterone breaks down to form dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the DHT causes the hair follicles to shrink, and therefore, the follicle is no longer capable of producing a healthy strand of hair. For women, the key to hair loss lies in the body’s natural levels of testosterone. Normally, the amount of testosterone remains very low, and the amount of DHT produced is minuet. However, changes in health can affect the amount of testosterone produced by the body, which in turn, results in higher levels of DHT and additional hair loss. Many women may begin to experience increased rates of hair loss after reaching menopause, when the female hormones and reproductive system undergo natural changes.
Solution for Female Hair Loss
Since female hair loss does not present in the large areas as seen in men, follicle unit extraction is usually the best treatment option for hair transplantation. Unlike follicle unit transplantation, the surgeon can remove individual follicles from areas of high-density hair growth to “fill-in” the missing places within the zone of hair loss. In extreme cases of female hair loss, follicle unit transplantation may be the selected option if the area of the receiving site has extended beyond one to two square inches.
Continued Hormone Influence Will Affect Hair Transplants
Although follicle unit extraction is the preferred method of addressing thinning hair in women, it does have a few fallacies. The growth of hair relies upon the present hormones, and the only way to prevent future hair loss from DHT exposure is to address any rising levels of testosterone in the body with an endocrinologist.
To ensure optimal results from initial hair transplantation, women may want to have their hormone levels evaluated and corrected prior to undergoing hair transplant surgery. This will give the transplanted follicles the best chance for survival, which will give women the beautiful, full hair they want.
Hair Restoration for Men and Women
Are you experiencing Alopecia or thinning hair? We encourage you to find out more about the variety of options available to treat hair loss in men and women. It’s important to consult with an experienced and trained restoration professional.
To learn more about which treatment option is right for you, schedule a Frank & Honest Hair Consultation or contact our team in New York City or Columbus, Ohio.
