Female Pattern Baldness - Why It Happens, What It Looks Like, And How To Stop It
You have probably already heard of male pattern baldness, a hereditary condition known medically as androgenetic alopecia.
This common condition is responsible for at least 85% of balding cases in men.
What many people don't know is that women can be affected by androgenetic alopecia as well.
Find out more about female pattern baldness and what you can do about it.
Why Female Pattern Baldness Occurs Like the male version of androgenetic alopecia, pattern baldness in females is an inherited condition which causes the follicles to shrink and eventually die, disrupting the ability to produce hair.
Individuals with this condition are sensitive to the hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which is derived from testosterone.
Pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women.
What It Looks Like While men who are experiencing pattern baldness typically lose hair from their foreheads, temples, and crown, women are more likely to develop an overall appearance of thinning.
In severe cases, bald patches may occur.
How to Stop Female Androgenetic Alopecia There are numerous steps you can take to slow hair loss related to pattern balding, and even to stimulate the growth of new hair.
This common condition is responsible for at least 85% of balding cases in men.
What many people don't know is that women can be affected by androgenetic alopecia as well.
Find out more about female pattern baldness and what you can do about it.
Why Female Pattern Baldness Occurs Like the male version of androgenetic alopecia, pattern baldness in females is an inherited condition which causes the follicles to shrink and eventually die, disrupting the ability to produce hair.
Individuals with this condition are sensitive to the hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which is derived from testosterone.
Pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women.
What It Looks Like While men who are experiencing pattern baldness typically lose hair from their foreheads, temples, and crown, women are more likely to develop an overall appearance of thinning.
In severe cases, bald patches may occur.
How to Stop Female Androgenetic Alopecia There are numerous steps you can take to slow hair loss related to pattern balding, and even to stimulate the growth of new hair.
- Medications: Topical medications such as minoxidil are effective for slowing hair loss and restoring hair growth.
Available as a lotion or a foam, minoxidil is applied directly to the affected area twice a day.
After approximately three months, the follicles should begin to produce noticeably thicker hair. - Hair Transplant Surgery: For women with extensive hair loss, hair transplants may be a good option.
Healthy follicles are harvested in a common outpatient procedure, and then reaffixed on the affected areas of the scalp.
After several weeks, new hair should begin to grow. - Hairpieces: For those who prefer not to use strong medications or undergo expensive medical procedures, a natural-looking hairpiece is a good option.
A salon specializing in hairpieces can help you find an affordable piece that closely resembles your original hair and can be washed and styled to suit you.