Wednesday, August 11, 2021

hair mythsHair loss is often associated with older men, yet reports suggest that up to 6 million women in the UK experience thinning hair at some point in their lives.

Unfortunately, female hair loss is not well understood as there can be a variety of underlying causes, making treatment all the more challenging.

It is generally very different to male hair loss, which tends to conform to a fairly typical “male pattern baldness”.

And because it is less understood, there is still a stigma attached to female hair loss. The issue is quite taboo and many women suffer in silence, not knowing where to turn for treatment. It can cause stress and loss of self-esteem.

Proper diagnosis and understanding the root cause are vital to determining the most appropriate treatment path. The good news is that once the condition has been properly understood, there are now a variety of potential non-surgical treatment options to improve the situation.

10 Potential Causes of Female Hair Loss

  1. Androgenic alopecia
    This is a hereditary condition, where the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) shrinks the hair follicles so that they’re no longer able to support hair growth. It is the most common cause of female hair loss even though it is often referred to as male pattern baldness (MPB). Around 40% of women are affected at some point and 57% of women over 80 will experience androgenic alopecia. In women, the pattern tends to be more generalised thinning than one specific area; so some hair is lost all over the scalp whereas in men it tends to result in losing a lot (or all) hair on the top of the head.
  2. Hormonal changes
    Female hair loss is often linked to hormonal changes, for example, pregnancy or the menopause. A decline in oestrogen and progesterone mean that testosterone (which all women produce) can consequently affect the hair follicles, causing the hair to thin.
  3. PCOS
    Polycystic ovary syndrome can also trigger hair loss for the same hormonal reason – an overproduction of testosterone can lead to a bald patch on the top of the scalp as well as excess facial and body hair.
  4. Diet
    Deficiencies of key vitamins and minerals can result in hair loss and thinning. Zinc, biotin and iron are all known to be potential factors. Testing alongside discussion of diet may reveal what supplements or vitamin injections could be of assistance.
  5. Alopecia areata
    This is a condition where hair follicles become dormant, resulting in loss of hair. There is no specific known cause although stress or trauma such as illness, childbirth or illness can trigger the condition. It tends to result in patches of hair loss but some patients experience significant losses.
  6. Infections
    Certain infections can affect the retention of hair. This includes bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic organisms or mites, that are often transmitted through physical contact with other persons, animals or objects such as shared hairbrushes.
  7. Mechanical trauma
    This refers to damage caused by excessive grooming or dressing of the hair. Severe brushing or tight braiding (including plaits, ponytails, cornrows) can cause the hair to break off, damaging the cuticle and affecting regrowth.
  8. Trichotillomania
    This is a disorder where patients develop a compulsive habit of pulling the hairs out.
  9. Drugs or medical treatments
    Hair loss can be a side-effect of treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and certain medications.
  10. Underactive thyroid
    Patients may not even be aware of an underactive thyroid, but the condition can contribute to hair loss

10 Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatment Options

The good news is that after diagnosis, there are a series of possible approaches to boost the health and condition of both skin and hair.

  1. Detailed Consultation with Trichoscopy & OligoScan
    At your initial consultation, you will have an OligoScan performed. Without a blood sample, this advanced technology scans your skin to highlight any mineral deficiencies, or presence of heavy metals which could be causing loss of hair.
    trichoscopy examination is also carried out. This is a visual examination using high magnification in order to see any physical issues with the hair, follicles, skin or scalp.
    Hair loss is a complex and individual issue. Understanding its causes is the first step in providing an appropriate solution.
  2. Detox
    We use steam treatment to warm the scap and open pores. This stage is designed to aid the release of any toxins and impurities that may be clogging the follicles. We then apply exfoliating alpha and beta hydroxy acids to penetrate the follicles and break down any build up and blockages. This helps new hair to grow more freely and will also help to stimulate circulation.
  3. Nutrition
    If your OligoScan points at any vitamin and mineral deficiencies, we can apply a special solution. Firstly, the scalp is prepared with Dermapen microneedling, then the solution of hyaluronic acid, vitamins, amino acids, growth factors and other nutrients can be applied. This will give the scalp and hair components that are essential for maintaining the optimal health. This solution is helpful for all hair loss, especially weak, thin and damaged hair.
  4. Stimulation
    To stimulate new hair growth, we can apply a solution of peptides (proteins) and growth factors (smaller peptides). Peptides work to stimulate the growth of new hair while growth factors can directly stimulate the growth of specific tissues. As above, the scalp is prepared using Dermapen microneedling before application of the peptides.
  5. Intense Stimulation
    Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) uses a sample of your own blood which is then treated with a special centrifuge machine to separate out platelet rich plasma. The scalp is prepared with Dermapen microneedling, then plasma is applied so that it can enter deeply into the skin, where it releases powerful healing agents. This method provides intense stimulation and is strongly recommended for moderate to severe balding.
  6. Homecare
    We can prescribe or prepare appropriate home care products from an extensive selection of options. Special preparations, shampoos and conditioners are available that work to stimulate growth and help with hair retention too shedding. The appropriate home care products work alongside any in-clinic treatments to give optimum results.
  7. Supplements
    Good nutrition is a vital component in ensuring the growth of healthy, strong hair. We recommend supplements for nearly all our hair loss clients, but will adjust the supplement suggestions, dosage and delivery (tablet or injection) according to the individual’s requirements.
  8. Red light therapy
    This can be of benefit in protecting and stimulating the hair and scalp, both during and following non-surgical treatments. It is a gentle, natural and cost-effective complement to other treatment solutions.
  9. Glycolic shampoo
    The right choice of products can be very helpful in improving the health of the scalp, creating a good environment for replenishment of hair.
  10. Triple Synergy Hair System
    Dr Barbara Kubicka‘s unique and exclusive Triple Synergy Hair System combines 3 separate elements, a tried and tested therapy that can show significant and visible results:

    1. Vitamin supplements: carefully selected vitamins are injected directly intramuscular, where they can be most readily absorbed and serve the most immediate benefit in promoting stronger hair and reducing hair loss
    2. Mesotherapy: special solutions are injected directly into the skin on the scalp using micro-needles, in order to deliver vital nutrients and minerals to stimulate hair growth and health
    3. PRP: platelet rich plasma therapy for scalp health

Once the cause of hair loss is understood, there are many options and treatments are often combined for best results More information about non-surgical hair loss treatment.

Hair Loss Treatments, London

Clinicbe® in London was founded by experienced Aesthetic Physician Dr Barbara Kubicka MD, CIME/ICAM, MBCAM; a renowned Aesthetic Physician based in West London.

Dr Kubicka takes a holistic approach to tackling hair loss; treating the patient as a whole in order to get the best possible results from any treatments they may have. Treatment programmes available at Clinicbe are tailor-made according to the individual’s requirements.

Clinicbe’s non-surgical hair loss clinic is based in Knightsbridge, London – easily accessible from Chelsea, Belgravia, Mayfair and Kensington.

For further information or to arrange a confidential consultation, please contact us on 0207 125 0521 or email info@clinicbe.com

Summary
10 Potential Causes of Female Hair Loss & Treatment Options
Article Name
10 Potential Causes of Female Hair Loss & Treatment Options
Description
Proper diagnosis and understanding of female hair loss are vital. We outline 10 potential Causes of Female Hair Loss & 10 Non-Surgical Treatment Options.
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