Progressive hair loss is usually a hair disorder related to the male gender, but more and more women are affected, although few reach an advanced stage.
A very significant statistic is that 40% of women over 35 years of age suffer or will suffer alopecia during their lifetime. Many women come to Meyer & Alcaide Dermatology Clinic to put themselves in the hands of our specialists, since hair is a sign of identity that is often important to them.
The 4 types of female alopecia
- 1. Androgenic alopecia
Also known as baldness, it is usually the result of a hormonal disorder, being the most common in both sexes. In women, menopause is the main time where hair loss is most evident, due to the decrease of estrogens and the increase of androgens.
This type of alopecia can also be closely related to stress and/or poor diet. The crown of the head is the most frequent area where hair loss appears.
- 2. Frontal fibrosing alopecia
This type of alopecia evolves gradually, its cause being a hormonal alteration during postmenopause. This scarring alopecia disorder is autoimmune and can affect eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as other areas of the body.
To avoid the destruction of the follicles and the generation of scarring alopecia, it is of vital importance to see a specialist as soon as possible, to start a specific treatment to combat the disorder.
- 3. Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is not scarring and gives rise to different bald patches on the head or other parts of the body, and may appear in men or women. The most common age at which it occurs is between 20 and 50 years of age.
Although the exact causes are unknown, it is believed that stress, chronic infections or various environmental factors could be the trigger. It is also likely that there is a strong genetic burden.
- 4. Telogen effluvium
Telogen effluvium occurs when the hair follicles go straight into the telogen phase: the time when the hair falls out, skipping the growth stage. This causes the dead hair to fall out and the new hair grows very slowly. If a person normally loses 100 hairs a day, women with diffuse alopecia lose around 500 hairs.
In general, this alopecia is of a temporary nature, so it is not too serious. The problem lies when it is combined with other types of alopecia, so it should be evaluated promptly. The cause of appearance may be stress, allergies or medications.
How to treat female alopecia?
There are two main remedies: the FAS technique and the FUE technique. The first is especially indicated for women suffering from advanced frontal fibrosing alopecia, since the FAS hair prosthesis offers optimal results and great naturalness.
On the other hand, the FUE technique or the strip technique also offers a good and very natural solution. For this technique, follicles are extracted from the donor area and grafted to the affected area, without causing visible scars. For more information do not hesitate to consult with one of our experts in Dermatology.