It is normal to shed up to 100 single hairs per day. Hair shedding is part of the hair growth cycle where some hairs are shed while others continue to grow and remain. However, the balance is interrupted when there are more hair falling out and less hair growing. The medical term for hair loss is “alopecia.”
Hair loss affects both men and women, and this article will concentrate on hair loss in women, symptoms, factors and solutions.
How does hair grow?
Hair grows in 3 different cycles: anagen, catagen, and telogen.
Anagen
About 90% of the hair on the head is in the anagen, or growth phase, which lasts anywhere from two to eight years.
Catagen:
The catagen, or transition phase, which lasts about 2-3 weeks, during which the hair follicle shrinks. Approximately 1-3% of scalp hair will be in this phase.
Telogen
During the telogen cycle, which lasts around 1 to 4 months, the hair rests and makes up about 10% of total hair.
Only about 10% of the strands are in transition or resting at any one time. Hair grows about 6 inches a year for most people.
Symptoms of Hair Loss
There are different symptoms, depending on the cause. You may notice sudden hair loss or a gradual thinning over time.
The common signs include:
- Overall thinning. Gradual thinning on the top of the head is the most common type of hair loss. It affects both men and women. While men tend to see a receding hairline, women generally notice that their hair parting broadens.
- Bald spots. They may be circular or patchy. They may resemble coins in size and usually appear on the scalp. Your skin may even feel itchy or painful immediately before the hair falls out.
- Handfuls of hair. You may experience very sudden hair loss, particularly after emotional or physical trauma. The hair may come out quickly while you’re washing or combing it, leading to overall thinning.
- Full loss. In some medical situations, particularly with medical treatments like chemotherapy, you may notice hair loss suddenly and all over your body at once.
Factors causing hair loss in women
Female pattern baldness can be caused by an underlying endocrine condition or a hormone-secreting tumor.
It can also be caused by genetics. You’re more likely to have female pattern baldness if your mother, father, or other close relatives have also experienced hair loss.
Smoking may also increase your risk of developing female pattern hair loss.
Currently, it is not clear if androgens (male sex hormones) affects hair loss in female, although androgens have a clear role in male pattern baldness. It is found that the majority of women with hair loss have normal levels of androgens in their bloodstream.
If you have other symptoms, such as an irregular period, severe acne, or an increase in unwanted body and facial hair, consult your doctor. You may be experiencing a different type of scalp hair loss related to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Staging of hair loss in women
There are 3 stages of female pattern baldness:
- Ludwig Type I is a small amount of thinning that starts around your parting.
- Ludwig Type II involves widening of the part, and increased thinning around it.
- Ludwig Type III is thinning throughout, with a see-through area at the top of your scalp.
How long does it take for the Female Hair Loss to progress?
It can affect women of any age, but it occurs more commonly after menopause. The hair loss process may not be constant and can occur in spurts. Some may notice accelerated phases of hair loss for 3–6 months, followed by periods of stability lasting 6–18 months. Without medication, it tends to progress in severity over the next few decades of life.
What treatments are available?
Thanks to the advancement in technology, there are several treatments available for women who are suffering from hair loss. There is no 100% cure for this condition, but treatments will help to decelerate the hair loss process, curb the problem and encourage new hair growth.
At M-Aesthetic Clinic, we have a full range of hair loss treatment for females. Dr Ho Rui Ming believes that hair loss should be tackled via a combination of different pathways to bring effective results.
Pulsed Magnetic Radiofrequency Hair Treatment
With a patented Pulsed Magnetic Radiofrequency (RF) technology, waves of Pulsed Magnetic RF energy are delivered into the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles and improve blood supply to the hair follicles.
This activates the hair follicles to regrow and strengthen resulting in stronger, thicker hair. This is a US FDA and HSA Approved machine that is backed by years of medical research.
How does it work?
Pulsed Magnetic Radiofrequency energy is precisely directed to the area of hair loss via a probe to stimulate blood circulation and the hair follicles. This activates the hair follicles and results in hair growth, and thicker, stronger hair strands.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
- Increase hair growth
- Prevent hair fall
- Stimulate the hair follicles to regrow and multiply
- Non-surgical procedure
- No Downtime
Video
Thulium PDRN Hair Regeneration Treatment
A combination of the Laser Assisted Delivery technology of the Thulium Laser and PDRN serum to encourage hair regrowth. PDRN is a well-researched product that enhances cell regeneration and promotes healing via purified DNA. Combined with nutrients specifically to promote hair growth, this is a powerful serum that promotes hair growth and thickening.
How does it work?
(Creation of micro-channels by Thulium Laser to ensure deeper penetration of PDRN Hair Growth serum)
The Thulium Laser (via its Laser-Assisted Delivery System) creates hundreds of channels into the scalp where the root of the rest of the follicles.
This enables the PDRN-rich serum to penetrate more deeply into the scalp to nourish and activate the hair follicles beneath.
Without these micro-channels, it is difficult for serums and hair products to penetrate through the scalp to reach the vital hair follicles beneath.
Additionally, this treatment also stimulates blood supply in the scalp to ensure optimum delivery of nutrients to the hair follicles.
The result is thicker, stronger hair with more coverage over the area of hair loss.
Benefits:
- Improvement in scalp condition
- Allow nutrients to be absorbed more easily into the scalp
- Aims to achieve thicker, stronger hair
- Addresses hair loss and scalp issues at the cellular level
Regenera Activa
Regenera Activa is one of the latest US FDA approved procedure backed by years of research that uses autologous micrografts obtained from your own self. This procedure from Spain helps to stimulate hair growth, prevent hair loss and thicken/strengthen existing hair follicles.
Studies have shown that hair regrowth and thickening can be seen as early as 1-month post-treatment.
How does it work?
Grafts containing hair stimulating growth factors and progenitor cells are obtained from the back of your scalp. The precision engineered Regenera Activa device divides the Grafts into smaller, more absorbable portions called ‘micrografts’ into a suspension solution.
These Micrografts are rich in nutrients and growth factors that can stimulate the hair follicles to regrow, thicken and multiply.
Regenera Activa reverses ‘miniaturizing’ of the hair follicles that are affected by DHT
(DiHydroTestosterone) and Genetics.
Our team will then prepare the micrografts to be reintroduced to areas of the scalp that are experiencing hair loss.
The Micrografts go to work immediately to reactivate weakened hair follicles by increasing the work rate of these follicles and stimulate new blood vessel formation to nourish these hair follicles that are now working harder.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
- Increase hair growth
- Thicken existing hair
- Stimulate the hair follicles to regrow, and multiply
- Penetration of nutrients to stimulate growth
- Non-surgical procedure
Regenera Activa has gone through extensive clinical trials across the world and has achieved US FDA approval as a medical device. These ratings assure patients of its safety and effectiveness.
Low Level Light Therapy
LLLT is an acronym for Low Level Light Therapy. It uses laser or light energy below a specific energy threshold and within a specific wavelength (approximately 655 nm). Light sources used for LLLT may include laser and LED devices. Laser devices used for LLLT are also referred to as cold lasers. LLLT devices produce no heat, are safe and cannot burn or injure the skin.
The iGROW LLLT treatment combines energy from a red laser and LED diodes to stimulate the hair follicles and improve blood circulation in the scalp.
This promotes hair growth that is thicker, fuller and stronger.
The iGrow is not only convenient and affordable, but has proved its effectiveness in double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials showing remarkable results of 35-37% more hair in only 16 weeks.
It is also a US FDA approved device for the treatment of hair loss.
How does it work?
The energy from the red laser and LED diodes are transmitted to the scalp via a helmet-like device.
This is a portable device and treatment can be done in the comfort of your own home.
Medication
Minoxidil
A Cochrane systematic review published in 2012 concluded that minoxidil solution was effective to treat Female Hair Loss. Minoxidil is available as 2% and 5% solutions.
Supplements
Viviscal Pro
Viviscal PRO supplement nourishes hair from the inside out, providing follicles with essential vitamins and minerals for healthy hair growth from within. Viviscal PRO ingredients include the proprietary AminoMar C™ marine complex, plus a blend of vital nutrients – including Biotin, Vitamin C and Apple Extract Powder (Procyanidin B-2) – that nourish thinning hair and promote existing hair growth from within.
Users may notice a difference in as little as 3 or 4 months.
Hair Tonic
Advanced Hair Growth Booster
This formula will regulate hair loss and encourage new hair growth by stimulating the scalp and hair follicle so that hair is able to be restored and regrow more quickly. Also provides follicle nutrients and revitalize the scalp to make existing hair stronger and thicker.
Conclusion
Although female hair loss does not happen as much as it does in men, it is best to take early action if you notice or suspect you’re losing more hair than you should.
While over-the-counter medications like minoxidil may help address certain types of hair loss, other health conditions can also cause hair loss, thus, it’s important to consult a doctor.
Talk to us about your symptoms so that Dr Ho can diagnose the cause of your hair loss and customise a treatment plan specially for you.
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