Women can experience hair loss for a variety of reasons. Whether caused by a medical condition, medication or female pattern baldness, thinning hair can be embarrassing and traumatic. Luckily, a variety of treatment options can help replace lost hair.
Corticosteroids
The Mayo Clinic explains that cortisone injections can help replace hair lost through alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder. Injections are typically repeated monthly until desired results are achieved. You may notice new hair growth within four weeks. Although a doctor can prescribe this medication in a cream or ointment form, they are not as effective as direct injections. For extensive balding, a doctor may suggest oral corticosteroids.
Minigraft
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, minigrafts are a good option for replacing thinning hair. Because hairs are harvested from the scalp, you must have full hair growing at the back and sides of the head to be eligible for a hair graft. During this procedure, a surgeon or dermatologist removes plugs of hair and transplants them to balding areas. Because hair loss is often a result of heredity, multiple sessions may be required to continue replacing lost hair. Although effective, it is important to realize that your hair may never be as full as it once was. However, surgery can offer fullness and help camouflage problem areas.
Cyproterone Acetate
Cyproterone acetate is an oral contraceptive medication currently sold in Europe. It is a combination of the estrogen estradiol and cyproterone. This medicine is prescribed for androgenetic alopecia, women’s pattern baldness. It works by blocking the affects of male androgen hormones. You can eliminate hair loss if you take this drug consistently for approximately a year, and you may also notice new hair growth. As with any drug, side effects are possible. You may experience headaches, breast tenderness and a decrease in libido. However, besides improvement in the hair’s appearance, cyproterone acetate helps to prevent osteoporosis.
Wigs
If you would rather avoid the medical route or are not responding positively to treatment, the Mayo Clinic suggests that you consider a wig to remedy both temporary and permanent hair loss. Many hairpieces and wigs are of good quality and are realistic-looking.
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