Why Women Are Unique?
What makes hair restoration unique for women when compared to men?
Women often have higher expectations for hair restoration results than men. This is because women are more likely to experience diffuse thinning across the scalp, which can be more difficult to conceal when compared to their male counterparts. Additionally, women may be more concerned with achieving a natural-looking appearance, while men are more likely to be concerned with restoring hair density.
It is important for female hair restoration specialists to be realistic in setting expectations with their patients and to manage these expectations accordingly. This can mean explaining that complete coverage may not be possible in all cases and instead, helping patients develop realistic goals for their treatment.
Hair Loss Pattern
Female hair loss typically follows a diffuse pattern, meaning that the hair thins across the entire scalp. This is in contrast to male hair loss, which is more likely to follow a specific pattern, such as male pattern baldness.
There are a few reasons why female hair loss is more likely to be diffuse. First, women have different hormones than men. These hormones can affect the hair growth cycle and lead to thinning hair throughout the scalp vs in specific areas. Second, women are more likely to experience certain medical conditions, such as thyroid problems and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can also cause diffuse hair loss. Finally, women are more likely to use certain hairstyles, such as tight ponytails and braids, which can put stress on the hair and lead to traction alopecia (hair loss due to traction/pulling on the hair)
Donor Site Density
Donor site density is the number of hair follicles that are available for transplantation at the donor site. Women tend to have lower donor site density than men. This means that there are fewer hair follicles available for transplantation, which can make it more challenging to achieve full coverage with a hair transplant.
However, there are a few things that female hair restoration specialists can do to maximize donor site density, such as:
- Using a variety of hair extraction techniques, such as strip harvesting and follicular unit extraction (FUE).
- Transplanting hair from different areas of the body, such as the scalp, beard, and body hair.
- Using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to help stimulate hair growth in the donor area.
Reasons for Hair Loss
The most common cause of hair loss in women is androgenetic alopecia, or female pattern hair loss (FPHL). It affects up to 30 million women in the United States and is an inherited condition caused by a combination of genes and hormones. Women with FPHL have hair follicles that are more sensitive to androgens (male hormones) that despite the name, are present in women too. As these women age, their androgen levels increase, causing their hair follicles to shrink and produce thinner, shorter hair. FPHL typically beings in the late 40s or 50s, but it can start earlier in some women.
Aside from FPHL, there are other causes of hair loss in women and they include:
Telogen effluvium: This is a type of hair loss that is caused by a temporary disruption in the hair growth cycle. It can be triggered by several factors, including stress, illness, weight loss, and certain medications. Telogen effluvium usually causes hair loss to occur all over the scalp, but it can also cause bald spots in some cases.
Alopecia areata: This is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss in small, round patches. The cause of alopecia areata is unknown, but it is thought to be triggered by an attack of the immune system on the hair follicles. Alopecia areata can affect hair on the scalp, face, and body.
Trichorrhexis nodosa: This is a condition that causes hair to break easily. It is most commonly seen in women with long, fine hair. Trichorrhexis nodosa can be caused by a number of factors, including excessive heat styling, chemical treatments, and malnutrition.
Traction alopecia: This is a type of hair loss that is caused by repeated pulling of the hair. It is most commonly seen in women who wear hairstyles that pull on the hair, such as tight ponytails or braids. Traction alopecia can cause bald spots along the hairline or temples.
Treatments
There are a variety of treatments available for female hair loss (both medical and surgical), depending on the underlying cause.
