Combatting Women's Hair Loss | Koher Medical in Harrisburg, PA
Hair is an important aspect of a woman's appearance and can have a significant impact on her self-esteem and confidence. A full head of healthy hair can be seen as a symbol of youth, beauty, and femininity. Hair can also play an important role in a woman's identity, and some women may choose to style their hair in a particular way to express their personality or cultural heritage.
Hair loss is often overlooked within the female population, despite affecting over 20 million females within the United States. It can be a sensitive and emotional topic for many women, as it can greatly impact their self-esteem and confidence. Losing one’s hair can be a deeply personal issue, and many women may feel embarrassed or ashamed to talk about it, even with close friends or family members. Thankfully, there are solutions out there both surgical and non- surgical that can cosmetically restore the vibrancy of a woman’s hair.
Services
If you’re suffering from female pattern hair loss, Koher Medical offers many solutions both surgical and non-surgical to combat it. The following procedures and services are expertly performed and offered at our offices.
Hair Transplantation
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that involves moving hair from the back and sides of the scalp to another part of the scalp where there is hair loss. The hair follicles are taken from a 'donor' area, such as the back of the head, and then transplanted to the 'recipient' area, such as the front and center of the head. The procedure is usually done to restore hair growth in areas of the scalp where hair loss has led to general thinning or complete loss in key areas. Koher Medical has over 30 years of experience with thousands of female patients successfuly treated for hair loss.
Laser Hair Therapy
Laser hair therapy (LHT) is a non-surgical treatment that uses low-level laser light to stimulate hair growth. It is also known as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or red light therapy. The therapy is typically performed using a hand-held device that emits low-level laser light, which is directed at the scalp. The laser light is believed to penetrate the scalp and stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles, which may increase the growth of new hair and improve the health of existing hair. By increasing nutrient supply, hair follicles may extend their growth phase which results in thicker and longer hair.
Follicular Unit Extraction (Neograft)
This is a method of hair transplantation that utilizes an FUE Machine to extract follicles one by one from the patient’s scalp. The benefits of this treatment are typically minimal scarring when compared to the strip procedure (which also leaves very little scarring) and can be less invasive for some patients. Koher Medical currently uses Neograft as its machine of choice.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a medication that is used to treat hair loss. It is available as a topical solution or foam that is applied directly to the scalp. Minoxidil was originally developed as a treatment for blood pressure, but it was found to have the side effect of promoting hair growth. Minoxidil is thought to work by expanding blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, which may stimulate the growth of new hair and improve the health of existing hair.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and ACell
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a non-surgical treatment for hair loss that uses the patient's own blood plasma, which is rich in platelets and growth factors. The treatment involves taking a sample of the patient's blood, which is then processed in a centrifuge to separate the plasma from the other blood cells. The concentrated plasma, which is rich in platelets and growth factors, is then injected into the scalp in the area of hair loss. The growth factors in the plasma help stimulate the growth of new hair and improve the health of existing hair.
Female Pattern Hair Loss
Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is a common condition in which a woman experiences gradual thinning of the hair on her scalp, often resulting in weakened central density and/or loss of hair on the crown. The condition is caused by a combination of genetic and hormonal factors, and it is typically characterized by a reduction in the size of the hair follicles, which leads to the production of finer, shorter, and fewer hairs. FPHL is different from male pattern baldness, which is characterized by a loss of hair along the hairline and top of the head, and is caused by a different set of genetic and hormonal factors.
As many as forty percent of all women will experience significant hair loss by age 50. Though this condition rarely develops into full baldness as with male pattern baldness, it is nevertheless a pervasive condition that often goes unrecognized and even untreated.
Hair Growth Cycle
The hair growth cycle is key to understanding the purpose and efficacy of hair loss treatments whether it be medicinal or surgical. Hair typically grows half an inch per month, or about 6 inches per year. The hair cycle occurs in three distinct phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen.
The Anagen Phase
The anagen phase is the growth phase of the hair growth cycle. During this phase, the hair follicle is actively producing new cells that will become the hair strand. The cells at the base of the hair follicle divide rapidly, and as they do so, they push the older cells up and out of the follicle. These older cells then harden and compact to form the hair strand.
The anagen phase can last for several years, and the length of the anagen phase can vary depending on the individual and the location of the hair follicle. For example, the anagen phase is typically longer for hair on the scalp than for hair on the eyelashes or eyebrows.
The Catagen Phase
The catagen phase is the transitional phase of the hair growth cycle. During this phase, the hair growth slows down and the hair follicle begins to shrink. The lower part of the hair follicle detaches from the blood supply, which then cuts off the supply of nutrients to the cells that make up the hair strand. This causes the hair to stop growing and the cells in the lower part of the hair follicle to die.
The Telogen Phase
The telogen phase is the final phase of the hair growth cycle. It is also known as the resting phase. During this phase, the hair strand is no longer growing, and the hair follicle is in a dormant state. This phase typically lasts for about 2-4 months.
During the telogen phase, the hair strand is still attached to the hair follicle, but it is no longer receiving nourishment from the blood supply. The hair strand is being held in place by a small group of cells called the hair bulb. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair strand will naturally fall out and a new hair strand will begin to grow in its place.
The Causes of Hair Loss
Many factors such as stress, hormonal changes, and family history may contribute to male pattern hair loss. No two cases of hair loss are identical, and it is important to be aware of the factors that may be affecting you.
Hormones
Hormones play a significant role in hair growth and hair loss. In women, the levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can fluctuate due to factors such as pregnancy, menopause, and hormonal imbalances. These fluctuations can affect the growth cycle of hair, causing hair to thin or fall out. Estrogen, in particular, is known to have a protective effect on hair, as it helps to keep hair in the growth phase for a longer period of time. When estrogen levels drop, as they do during menopause, hair growth can slow down and hair can become thinner.
Androgens, such as testosterone and DHT, can also play a role in hair loss in women. Androgens are a group of hormones that are present in both men and women, but are typically higher in men. In women, high levels of androgens can cause hair to thin and fall out. This type of hair loss is known as androgenetic alopecia, or female pattern hair loss.
Genetics
The genetic component of female pattern hair loss(FPHL) is related to the presence of certain genes that make a person more susceptible to hair loss. The genetic basis of FPHL is related to the presence of androgen receptors in the hair follicles. Androgens, such as testosterone, bind to these receptors and can cause the hair follicles to shrink, resulting in thinner and weaker hair.
FPHL is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means that if a person inherits the gene for FPHL from one parent, they are at risk of developing the condition. The risk of developing FPHL increases with age, and the condition is more common in women who have a family history of hair loss.
Symptoms of Hair Loss
The symptoms of hair loss can vary depending on the type and cause of the hair loss. Some men might notice hair thinning starting at the hairline and temples, while others may have their hair loss start in the center or crown.
Abnormally excessive shedding may be a sign of hair loss, and is most commonly noticed on pillows or in the shower. This indicates hairs are not remaining in their growth phase and instead are shedding, most likely due to nutrient deficiencies within the hair follicles. Hairs may eventually move beyond thinning and result in empty spots, which indicates telogen hairs have not replaced the lost hair. Over enough successive cycles, the affected hairs will atrophy the point of complete loss.
The Ludwig Scale
The Ludwig Scale is a classification system that is used to describe the different stages of female pattern hair loss (FPHL). It is based on the distribution of hair loss and the degree of thinning, and is commonly used by dermatologists and other healthcare professionals to diagnose and track the progression of the condition. The Ludwig Scale has 3 levels of minimal, mild, and advanced hair loss.
The Ludwig Scale is a helpful tool for diagnosing FPHL, monitoring its progression, and determining the appropriate course of treatment. However, it's important to note that the Ludwig Scale only applies to female pattern hair loss, and not all hair loss conditions will fit into this classification system.
Experts in the Art of Hair Restoration
Whether you suffer from androgenetic alopecia, hair loss due to menopause or pregnancy, or trichotillomania, Koher Medical is ready to help. With offices in High Point, Mebane and Charlotte, NC, as well as Greenville, SC, Cockeysville, MD, and Harrisburg, PA, chances are good that the treatment to combat hair loss as a woman isn’t too far away.
Contact Koher Medical today at 336-792-9591 , or fill out a form online, to schedule your free consultation today.