HAIR loss can be a particularly distressing ordeal for women. While society seems programmed to expect and accept degrees of male pattern baldness, women find attitudes less forgiving when they lose their hair.
There is a stigma around women’s hair loss which must be eroded. Women’s hair loss is a common occurrence and it is usually related to entirely natural processes and changes which occur in a woman’s body throughout her lifetime.
Post-natal hair fall, the menopause and hair loss brought on by shock and stress are common reasons for a woman to lose her hair, while around half of women over 65 suffer female pattern baldness related to ageing and genetic predetermination.
In our previous blog update we looked in more depth at seven causes of hair loss in women, but losing hair needn’t be the end of the story for most women.
Hair loss in women can be reversed successfully with a carefully managed hair restoration programme. And in this post MHR Clinic looks at five treatments that can reverse women’s hair loss.
From low level laser therapy to topical lotions and beneficial nutritional advice, we give you the critical information women need to bring back a fuller and healthier head of hair.
1. Minoxidil Lotion
Minoxidil comes in liquid and foam forms and is rubbed into the scalp on a daily basis. The medical solution for hair loss allows more oxygen and nutrients to reach hair follicles by widening blood vessels in the scalp. With everyday use of Minoxidil, women will develop thicker and stronger hair. MHR Clinic offers a range of Minoxidil products including its own exclusive high percentage liquid Minoxidil, which is dropped onto the scalp and then rubbed through hair by hand. Women will benefit from using for as long as you continue to apply it.
MHR Clinic offers a bespoke minoxidil lotion which achieves unmatched results in restoring women’s hair
2. Hair Transplantation
Hair transplants are becoming more commonplace in the battle against women’s hair loss. This year saw Hollyoaks actress Stephanie Davis undergo an adjustment to her hairline with an FUE procedure. She reported it had given her more confidence and encouraged other women to follow suit if they felt their hairline had receded. As the subject of women’s hair loss becomes more of a conversation in the media, more and more women will come forward to have hair transplants that were previously thought to be only for men.
3. Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
While relatively unknown, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are growing in popularity and offer a natural, safe and affordable non-surgical treatment for hair loss. During PRP treatments a patient’s blood is taken so its plasma can be obtained for injection into the scalp. After identifying areas where dormant follicles can be revived, the injections are administered into subcutaneous layers of the scalp so protein-rich alpha granules and energy-rich glycogen can promote the formation of new blood vessels and cell division in and around follicles.
Low level laser therapy is proven to stimulate hair growth and is a popular treatment with women who attend our clinics.
4. Low Level Laser Therapy
Low level laser therapy projects a spectrum of light onto the scalp which boosts blood circulation, protein production and the stimulation of cell division in the membrane and hair follicles. As such it is a safe and effective hair growth treatment for women suffering hair loss. MHR Clinic frequently administers low level laser therapy in combination with minoxidil lotion as each treatment complements the other in aiding the supply of blood and its oxygen-rich nutrients to hair follicles. MHR Clinic leads the hair restoration industry in providing low level laser therapy.
5. Azelaic Acid
Azelaic acid occurs naturally in grains such as barley and wheat. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that restore the balance of weakened hair growth. And while stimulating a thicker head of hair through improving the health of follicles, it also adds extra gloss and shine to each strand of hair. The anti-inflammatory properties that azelaic acid possesses target the source of follicle inflammation believed to cause pattern baldness in men and women. Its antimicrobial properties battle fungal infections that have a damaging effect on hair growth.
Three healthy lifestyle habits to combat women’s hair loss
There are other things women can do at home to improve the health of their hair and scalp.
Change hair styling habits
Stay away from tightly bound styles, like braids, buns, or ponytails. Resist twisting or rubbing hair. Wash and brush hair gently and avoid hot rollers, curling or straightening irons, hot oil treatments, bleaching, and other chemical processes.
Add iron and zinc to diets
Iron deficiency causes hair loss in women as it’s essential for cell division in the follicle bulb and transporting oxygen to boost hair cell growth. Zinc (Citrate) boosts protein and cell production, vitamin and mineral absorption and contributes to the maintenance of hair
Manage stress
Trauma can come on suddenly and unexpectedly, but managing ongoing stress helps to reverse hair loss. Exercise, yoga and meditation help to regulate blood sugar and enhance circulation, promoting the regrowth of hair. More profound emotional help can have the same benefit.