Hair Loss News

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) concluded its 65th Annual Meeting in Washington DC today.   Dermatologists from around the world gathered to discuss the latest treatments for hair loss and other skin and dermatological conditions.

One of the topics that got discussed at this year’s meeting was female hair loss.   While not as obvious as male pattern baldness (MPB), hair loss does occur in women, although it usually occurs in a more diffuse and thus less noticeable pattern.

According to the AAD, hair loss is a common problem in women and it affects approximately 30 million American women.

In quality-of-life studies, women suffering with hair loss reported a higher incidence of behavior that interfered with their daily lives – including a significant loss of self-esteem, being introverted, feeling less attractive and tense feelings in public places.

While its normal for the average person to lose 50 to 100 hairs per day, women who notice their hair shedding in large amounts after combing or brushing, or whose hair becomes thinner or falls out, should consult a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis of Hair Loss

To properly diagnose the cause of hair loss, a dermatologist will ask the patient for a detailed history. This includes medications, allergies, family history and diet, as well as a woman’s record of menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.  A thorough examination of the hair also will take place. This typically involves:

- A detailed inspection of the hair and scalp.
- An assessment to see if there is too little or too much hair in other areas of the body.
- Scalp biopsies which can be used to make or confirm a diagnosis of hair loss and can be essential in guiding therapy.

Causes of Hair Loss in Women

If hair loss begins suddenly, illness, nutrition, medication or pregnancy may be the cause. The cause could also be a genetic syndrome or a hormone related disorder.

The pattern of hair thinning (localized or diffused) can determine the reason for the hair loss. Hair care practices and use of hair cosmetics (e.g. bleaching, permanent waving) can often be a key factor in causing hair loss.

Treatment of Hair Loss in Women

Dermatologists can treat hair loss in many ways, topical minoxidil (Rogaine) has been shown to help in the regrowth of hair or slow hair loss.

Other drugs taken orally like Spironolactone have also been successfully used in some cases.

If the hair loss is caused by diseases such as thyroid disease, this can be reversed with treatment of the underlying disease or condition.

Topical or injectable cortisone medications have also been shown to accelerate regrowth of hair for certain conditions and may be used.

Surgical options and other solutions

Hair transplantation is another way of addressing hair loss in women.   While it’s not suitable for every type of hair loss, it may benefit women with thinning hair and those who have lost some, but not all hair, from burns or other scarring injuries to the scalp, eyebrows or eyelashes.

Last, but not least, are less invasive options like hair styling and scalp camouflage techniques which are helpful adjuncts in minimizing the appearance of hair loss in women.   Options range from wearing a hair system or weave, to using temporary cover-up type products like Toppik or Dermatch which cosmetically cover up thinning areas as long as they are applied every day.

See your dermatologist for successful diagnosis and treatment of hair loss. You can find a dermatologist by visiting the American Academy of Dermatology’s web site at http://www.aad.org/.