Hair Loss and Female Hair Replacement

[Posted on November 13th, 2013 by Dr. Carlos Puig]

The term “female hair replacement” has been tossed around frequently in the past decade. A woman’s crowning glory is her hair — this has been proven time and again through the centuries, especially by the intricate way women take care of their hair. Some women screech if anybody tampers with their carefully designed locks. Baldness, though very common in males, does not suit a woman. According to UK’s standards, hair loss — especially in women — has been on the rise for the last five years. American surveys have also shown a 50% increase in hair fall among females. There have been instances of bald patches even in adolescents. It’s a problem that begs for a solution.

Causes of Hair Loss

It is extremely essential to determine the cause of hair loss after consultation with an expert to get a clear diagnosis and subsequent treatment, after which female hair replacement surgeries may be looked into. Treatments vary in effectiveness depending on the cause, so it’s a good idea to determine it before starting the treatment. The sudden rise in cases of hair fall this past decade can be alluded to various causes — genetic, circumstantial, deficiencies, and diseases.

Hair loss in women can be hereditary, but in some cases, it can be a side effect of skin disease. Cancer, which has become a major ailment around the globe, requires its treatment through chemotherapy. While the treatment holds a chance of curing the cancer, it inevitably causes baldness in the patient. About 20% of female hair fall cases are linked to genetic factors. This causes hair loss along the sides of the head as well as the top, which requires female hair replacement procedures. Mineral and vitamin deficiency, especially of iron and Vitamin D, can be a major factor of baldness. This is more prevalent among young women because of incessant and excess dieting. Proper dosage of minerals and vitamins can therefore help to reduce hair shedding.
Hair Transplant Surgery

Once the cause of hair loss is determined, it’s a good idea to consult with an expert on what step to take next. Before committing oneself to hair surgery, alternative options should be examined. There are instances of hair loss that can be cured by simple medicine, while others require hair replacement surgery to combat.

Hair loss in women is generally does not affect the frontal hairline, but it does result in an overall decrease in volume of hair. In female hair replacement surgery, the hair is moved from one place to another to give the impression of a thicker mane than there actually is. The place where follicular unit extraction is conducted is called the “donor site”, while the part where it is grafted is called the “recipient site.” New hair can be grafted, but it is quite expensive. This procedure is applicable for eyebrows and eyelashes, including corrective surgeries for hair loss due to face lifts and other surgeries. The potential candidates for this type of surgery are women that see extensive hair loss in the middle ages and have begun menopause.