In many women, hair loss may result from "female pattern baldness" which can be experienced by women as young as 30 years of age. Female pattern baldness typically presents itself as diffuse thinning that is often noticed first at the temples and on top of the head. This condition is usually progressive; however, the rate of progression is slow.

Some women develop a form of "male pattern baldness" in which hair loss is experienced in the typical "u" shape pattern. That is common among men. Women with this condition rarely see hairline recession; however, most experience gradual progressive thinning in the frontal and midline areas of the scalp. Excessive daily shedding may be caused by some other contributing factor. These other forms of hair loss must be ruled out before a definitive diagnosis of female pattern baldness can be made. Of these others, Telogen effluvium is the most common.

Telogen effluvium is the shedding of hair that occurs several months after childbirth. Typically, women will notice large amounts of hair suddenly coming out one to six months after a significant stress in their lives such as a surgery, a serious illness or a social or psychological stress. The bad news is that there is no treatment for this type of hair loss. The good news is that the patient does not require any treatment. The hair should return on its own after a dormant phase.

Too Commonly, I see women with traction hair loss. This is found most often in women who wear their hair tightly pulled back or in tight braids for long periods. The slow, chronic pull on the hair root eventually kills the follicular root system so that no hair will grow in these areas. Build-up on the scalp from relaxers, coloring, and heavy grease over time will clog the pores of the hair and eventually cause hair loss.
Depending on the degree of hair loss, with proper treatment given to the hair and scalp, the hair should return on its own after a dormant phase.

True female pattern baldness is much more common than most people realize. It tends to be underestimated because women go to great lengths to hide it. Everyone deals with hair loss differently. For some, it is just a part of life; for others, it is a source of anxiety and depression.

Many people who are suffering from hair loss also experience scalp itching, scalp pimples or scalp that is sensitive to the touch. This may mean you are suffering from a scalp condition known as inflammation to the scalp.
There are researchers who believe inflammation of the scalp may be involved in hair loss.

When you are ready, we will prepare a personal treatment plan based on your hair loss pattern.