Pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) affects up to half of all women by age 50, according to the Mayo Clinic. Female-pattern baldness may cause a moderate degree of hair loss on the crown, but unlike male-pattern baldness, the frontal hairline usually remains intact.
Although no cure exists for female-pattern baldness, it can be controlled. Some women may simply opt for a new hairstyle, hair weaving or hairpieces to camouflage hair loss. This can be the most inexpensive and safest method of dealing with female pattern baldness. Beware of dietary supplements, vitamins and shampoos that claim to restore thickness and volume to thinning hair, cautions the Mayo Clinic.
Minoxidil is the Primary Treatment for Female Pattern Baldness
Minoxidi, brand name Rogaine, is the gold standard of treatment for female-pattern baldness, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) The FDA has approved a 2 percent liquid solution for women to be applied to the scalp twice daily.
Rogaine may stimulate hair growth in up to 25% of women, and may slow hair loss in the majority of female users. Hair loss typically resumes when treatment is stopped.
Essential Oils May Stimulate Hair Growth
A study published in November 1998 in the Archives of Dermatology discovered certain essential oils may stimulate hair growth. Scottish researchers found massaging a mixture of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood oils into the scalp daily noticeably improved hair loss in patients with alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is a condition that causes round patches of hair loss.
Since essential oils can be toxic, they are mixed with a “carrier” oil such as grapeseed or jojoba or grapeseed oil before applying to the scalp. You only need three to six drops of the mixture to reap its effects, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).
Surgical Hair Restoration
A small percentage (2 -5%) of woman may be benefit from hair transplant surgery, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Hair restoration surgery involves transferring grafts of skin and hair from the back of the scalp, where hair growth is fullest, to areas of thinning or baldness.
Good candidates for hair restoration include women with a pattern of hair loss that resembles that of male pattern baldness, as well as those who wish to cover incisions from plastic surgery.
Sources:
American Hair Loss Association, “Women Transplants” (Accessed November 24, 2010)
Mayo Clinic, “When Women Experience Thinning Hair” (Accessed November24, 2010)
PubMed, “Randomized trial of aromatherapy Successful treatment for alopecia areata” (Accessed November 24, 2010)
University of Maryland Medical Center, “Female Pattern Baldness-Treatment” (Accessed November 24, 2010)
Karen Gaskell - Karen Jean Gaskell has worked as a radio and television journalist for more than three decades. During her career Karen has written and ...
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