Female Hair Thinning: Understanding Causes & Effective Treatments
Hair loss has long been a concern for both men and women, with countless treatments promising results—from lotions and pills to various remedies. But what truly works? The effectiveness of any treatment depends on the stage and pattern of hair loss.
A widely recognised system for classifying hair thinning is the Hamilton-Norwood scale, originally designed for male hair loss but also adapted to help assess female patterns.
Hair loss Vertex (crown)
Below is an example of how hair thinning at the vertex (crown) manifests in women, helping to identify the stage and determine appropriate treatment options.This differes from woman losing hair at temples
Understanding Female Hair Thinning & Treatment Options
The Hamilton-Norwood scale helps determine the severity of hair loss, allowing individuals to identify the most effective treatment.
Female Hair Loss Treatment
For women, treatment success varies depending on the level of hair thinning:
- Level One: Often effectively treated with topical solutions such as minoxidil, a topical lotion containing a medically approved ingredient that stimulates hair growth.
- Level Two: Topical treatments can still be used. Minoxidil can still be used, but the results may be less pronounced.
- Level Three: Topiocal solutions for hairloss is unlikely to produce significant improvement, making hair replacement solutions maybe a more effective option for restoring volume.
Additionally, some women may benefit from antiandrogen medication, which works to counteract hormones that contribute to hair thinning. Understanding where you fall on this scale can help in selecting the right approach to hair regrowth.