Hair loss is not just a male problem; an estimated 40 percent of people who unexpectedly lose their hair are women, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Many women who lose their hair do so because of aging or medical problems. While dealing with hair loss can be psychologically devastating to a mom, sometimes women can use a variety of tips to regain at least some of their hair.
Disguising Hair Loss
Unfortunately, hair loss cannot be cured, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some women may prefer not to deal with potentially expensive and sometimes painful medical treatments and decide to find creative ways to disguise their hair loss. Colorful scarves, hats, wraps, bandannas and sometimes even wigs might be a viable option to reduce the embarrassment associated with female pattern balding. However, you should still check with your doctor to ensure you aren’t suffering from a serious medical problem.
Potential Medical Treatments
You can ask your doctor about a number of medications and ointments that might help restore some of your hair growth, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Unfortunately, some of the most popular prescription drugs offered for male pattern balding cannot be used by women under any circumstances, according to the Mayo Clinic. One example is finasteride; pregnant women cannot even touch the pills, as they may cause serious defects in male fetuses. Women who suffered from unexpected hair loss might consider injections of cortisone into their scalps to promote hair growth.
The Surgery Option
Women can consider surgery in some cases for their hair loss, according to the Mayo Clinic. The two major cosmetic procedures used to combat female pattern balding are hair transplants and scalp reduction. Scalp reduction involves literally resizing the skin of the scalp to accommodate the actual hair present. However, all cosmetic surgeries, especially scalp reduction, carry the risks of infection, scarring and ineffectiveness. In addition, these methods are potentially costly and not covered by insurance. If you wish to try one or both of these options, consult with a qualified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
At-Home Remedies
You don’t need a doctor’s visit to try at-home remedies like Rogaine or daily biotin supplements, according to Essence magazine. However, keep in mind that these may not work for everyone, despite any success stories you might have heard on television. In a few cases, lost hair might even grow back on its own without medical or at-home treatments, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Photo Credit
- natural blond hair. image by mdb from Fotolia.com
