COMMON TREATMENTS FOR HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN.

COMMON TREATMENTS FOR HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN.
BY: RICHARD MITCHELL
much has been said and written about modern day
hair loss treatments but this tends to relate
ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY TO MEN. DO THESE SAME
treatments offer solutions to women suffering
from hair loss or is there a completely
DIFFERENT CATEGORY OF REMEDIES AVAILABLE? IT
really depends on what is causing hair loss in
the first place and as the most common causes of
HAIR LOSS ARE THE SAME AS THOSE THAT AFFECT MEN,
the treatments available are pretty similar.

IN AN EARLIER ARTICLE WE CONCLUDED THAT THE
three most common causes of hair loss in women
are female pattern baldness, telogen effluvium
AND ALOPECIA AREATA. WE'LL NOW LOOK AT EACH OF
these in turn and examine the best treatments
available, bearing in mind the specific needs of
WOMEN:

1. treatments for female pattern baldness.

in most instances minoxidil (rogaine) is the
first treatment used. this is one of only two
FDA APPROVED HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS AND IT REMAINS
the only one approved for use by women.
minoxidil comes in the form of a topical
SOLUTION THAT WORKS BY TACKLING THE SYMPTOMS OF
hair loss and helping to generate new hair
growth. it does not target the causes of hair
LOSS AND WILL NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE. THE WOMEN'S
version of minoxidil is a 2% solution but the 5%
version marketed for men can be used if
NECESSARY.

the most popular drug for treating male pattern
BALDNESS IS OF COURSE FINASTERIDE (PROPECIA).
women of child bearing age should not use this
drug due to the severely damaging effects it can
HAVE ON UNBORN MALE FETUSES. ANY WOMEN
considering using propecia should discuss it
first with their physician. in some cases your
DOCTOR MAY PRESCRIBE A DIFFERENT ANDROGEN
blocker called spironolactone as a means of
stopping the hormone activity that is causing
HAIR LOSS. SPIRONOLACTONE IS NORMALLY USED AS A
diuretic and results may be variable.

THERE IS A BEWILDERING RANGE OF COMMERCIAL
products available, most of which are aimed
squarely at men but many are also suitable for
WOMEN TO USE. WHETHER THEY WORK OR NOT IS
another question but some products containing
ingredients like saw palmetto, stinging nettle,
PYGEUM AND GREEN TEA HAVE SHOWN THEIR VALUE. YOU
can find out more about these and other poential
hair loss solutions by visiting the site listed
AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE.

2. treatments for telogen effluvium

this is a hair loss condition that generally
does not require any specific treatment. once
THE EFFECTS OF THE TRAUMA THAT CAUSED HAIR LOSS
in the first place have subsided, the hair will
regrow of its own accord. some patients like to
ENCOURAGE THE REGROWTH PROCESS BY USING
minoxidil but this isn't necessary. implementing
a good nutritional regime and supplementing with
B-VITAMINS MAY HELP TO CREATE A HAIR FRIENDLY
environment.

3. TREATMENTS FOR ALOPECIA AREATA.

this is another hair loss condition that may
RESOLVE ITSELF SPONTANEOUSLY. IN SOME CASES ONE
of the following treatments may prove useful:

- DAILY APPLICATION OF MINOXIDIL (ROGAINE).

- injection of cortisone into patchy areas of
THE SCALP (THIS MUST BE ADMINISTERED BY A
physician). creams and lotions containing
cortisone can also be used but results are
VARIABLE.

- dithranol can be applied to the scalp in mild
OR EARLY CASES.

- application of 100% aloe vera gel.

- massage the scalp with rosemary and lavender
essential oils in a jojoba base.

- use of a hair loss product containing the
chinese herb he shou wu.

- a product called calosol has recently
generated positive feedback.

please note, however, that none of these is
guaranteed to work due to the unpredictable
NATURE OF ALOPECIA AREATA. IT IS THIS
uncertainty that offers opportunities for
scamsters to make outlandish claims. the fact
REMAINS, THERE ARE NO MIRACLE CURES FOR ADVANCED
forms of alopecia areata so sufferers may wish
to consider other options such as head coverings
AND WIGS.

this does not mean that patients are without
HOPE BECAUSE, EVEN IN SEVERE CASES, HAIR CAN
spontaneously start to grow again even after
years of loss.

about the author:
richard mitchell is the creator of the
WWW.MYHAIRLOSSADVISOR.COM WEBSITE THAT PROVIDES
information and guidance to those suffering from
premature hair loss. please go to hair loss
TREATMENTS FOR WOMEN [2] TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT
the issues covered in this article.

circulated by article emporium [3]
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