How to Treat Female Hair Loss

Many people don't know that excessive hair loss can occur in women as well as men and children. Women may experience genetically based pattern baldness or temporary hair loss due to hormonal changes, thyroid or digestive conditions or other causes. If you exceed your normal hair loss for a sustained period of time, see a dermatologist.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Consultation with a doctor or dermatologist
• Trusted reference material

Treat Temporary Hair Loss in Women

1. See a doctor when experiencing excessive hair loss following pregnancy, menopause, rapid weight loss, extreme illness or surgery. This often temporary hair loss may be controlled with prescription shampoos or dietary supplements.

2. Use a doctor-approved shampoo or topical treatment for temporary female hair loss due to stress, burns, injury or chemotherapy.

Treat Female Pattern Baldness

1. Buy an over-the-counter minoxidil product specially formulated for women. Taken as directed, it may boost the regrowth of hair.

2. Use a natural or synthetic (prescription) antifungal shampoo to keep the scalp healthy in combination with minoxidil or dietary supplements.

3. Consult an herbologist or trusted source for natural remedies, which may incorporate ingredients such as stinging nettle, saw palmetto, green tea or other organic ingredients shown to inhibit female hair loss. Follow the dosage carefully.

4. Get the hair you've always dreamed of by buying a quality wig. Pattern baldness that doesn't respond to treatment can be cosmetically improved.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't pay too much for ineffective or unnecessary treatment! Many hair loss conditions in women are temporary. See a doctor to be sure you get the right diagnosis.

• The Food and Drug Administration has approved only the drug minoxidil to treat female hair loss, not the alternate treatment, finasteride.

• Female pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is similar to male pattern baldness in that hair follicles shrink over time until they can no longer support hair growth.

• All drugs, herbs and topical solutions may have side effects. Consult product literature before using.

• Check your sources. There are many disreputable sources of information, advice and treatments about hair loss in women.