| Much has been said and written about modern | | | | 2. Treatments for telogen effluvium |
| day hair loss treatments but this tends to relate | | | | |
| almost exclusively to men. Do these same | | | | This is a hair loss condition that generally does not |
| treatments offer solutions to women suffering | | | | require any specific treatment. Once the effects |
| from hair loss or is there a completely different | | | | of the trauma that caused hair loss in the first |
| category of remedies available? It really depends | | | | place have subsided, the hair will regrow of its |
| on what is causing hair loss in the first place and | | | | own accord. Some patients like to encourage the |
| as the most common causes of hair loss are the | | | | regrowth process by using minoxidil but this isn't |
| same as those that affect men, the treatments | | | | necessary. Implementing a good nutritional regime |
| available are pretty similar. | | | | and supplementing with B-vitamins may help to |
| | | | create a hair friendly environment. |
| In an earlier article we concluded that the three | | | | |
| most common causes of hair loss in women are | | | | 3. Treatments for alopecia areata. |
| female pattern baldness, telogen effluvium and | | | | |
| alopecia areata. We'll now look at each of these in | | | | This is another hair loss condition that may |
| turn and examine the best treatments available, | | | | resolve itself spontaneously. In some cases one |
| bearing in mind the specific needs of women: | | | | of the following treatments may prove useful: |
| | | | |
| 1. Treatments for female pattern baldness. | | | | - Daily application of minoxidil (Rogaine). |
| | | | |
| In most instances minoxidil (Rogaine) is the first | | | | - Injection of cortisone into patchy areas of the |
| treatment used. This is one of only two FDA | | | | scalp (this must be administered by a physician). |
| approved hair loss treatments and it remains the | | | | Creams and lotions containing cortisone can also |
| only one approved for use by women. Minoxidil | | | | be used but results are variable. |
| comes in the form of a topical solution that | | | | |
| works by tackling the symptoms of hair loss and | | | | - Dithranol can be applied to the scalp in mild or |
| helping to generate new hair growth. It does not | | | | early cases. |
| target the causes of hair loss and will not work | | | | |
| for everyone. The women's version of minoxidil is | | | | - Application of 100% aloe vera gel. |
| a 2% solution but the 5% version marketed for | | | | |
| men can be used if necessary. | | | | - Massage the scalp with rosemary and lavender |
| | | | essential oils in a jojoba base. |
| The most popular drug for treating male pattern | | | | |
| baldness is of course finasteride (Propecia). | | | | - Use of a hair loss product containing the Chinese |
| Women of child bearing age should not use this | | | | herb He Shou Wu. |
| drug due to the severely damaging effects it can | | | | |
| have on unborn male fetuses. Any women | | | | - A product called Calosol has recently generated |
| considering using Propecia should discuss it first | | | | positive feedback. |
| with their physician. In some cases your doctor | | | | |
| may prescribe a different androgen blocker called | | | | Please note, however, that none of these is |
| spironolactone as a means of stopping the | | | | guaranteed to work due to the unpredictable |
| hormone activity that is causing hair loss. | | | | nature of alopecia areata. It is this uncertainty |
| Spironolactone is normally used as a diuretic and | | | | that offers opportunities for scamsters to make |
| results may be variable. | | | | outlandish claims. The fact remains, there are no |
| | | | miracle cures for advanced forms of alopecia |
| There is a bewildering range of commercial | | | | areata so sufferers may wish to consider other |
| products available, most of which are aimed | | | | options such as head coverings and wigs. |
| squarely at men but many are also suitable for | | | | |
| women to use. Whether they work or not is | | | | This does not mean that patients are without |
| another question but some products containing | | | | hope because, even in severe cases, hair can |
| ingredients like saw palmetto, stinging nettle, | | | | spontaneously start to grow again even after |
| pygeum and green tea have shown their value. | | | | years of loss.Richard Mitchell is the creator of the |
| You can find out more about these and other | | | | website that provides information and guidance to |
| poential hair loss solutions by visiting the site listed | | | | those suffering from premature hair loss. Please |
| at the end of this article. | | | | go to Hair Loss Treatments for Women to find |
| | | | out more about the issues covered in this article. |