Losing your hair can be a traumatic experience for both men and women. Many of the hairstyles and hair treatments that black women use over their lifetimes can make them particularly susceptible to hair loss. But modern medicine and technology have found many improved hair loss remedies to keep both African-American men and women with full heads of hair well into their twilight years.
Rogaine
Rogaine is a hair-loss product used for men and women. Rogaine will halt the loss of hair in men and women and is the only FDA-approved product for regrowing hair in women. Rogaine comes in two formulas. The 5 percent formula is the one recommended for men, and the 2 percent formula is for women. However, if a woman is experiencing severe hair loss, doctors may prescribe the 5 percent formula. Since Rogaine hasn't been tested on pregnant women, it is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.
Cortisone
Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory that is used to treat forms of alopecia common in black women. The first, traction alopecia, is caused by frequently wearing tight hairstyles such as braids, cornrows and weaves. Cortisone also helps with central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, also known as hot-comb alopecia. Hot-comb alopecia is the result of hairstyles that require excessive heat or use of harsh chemicals, such as relaxers. They cause a scarring of the scalp, which prevents hair from growing in the damaged areas. Cortisone is applied topically or injected directly into the scalp. However, for cortisone to work for either condition, the hair loss must be caught early enough before any permanent damage has been done.
Propecia
Propecia is a hair-loss medication that's taken orally and is 90 percent effective in preventing hair loss in men. While not FDA-approved for women, some doctors will prescribe Propecia for women who are past their child-bearing years. While studies are few, Propecia has been shown to stop hair loss in women who are controlling their hormones through birth control pills or hormone therapy.
Hair Transplants
Hair transplants are a solution to hair loss for both men and women. Previously, hair transplants weren't possible for women. The old methods of doing transplants would kill the remaining hair follicles where the new hair was transplanted. Since women still have hair in the areas where they are balding, this would lead to more hair loss. However, new methods of hair transplants involving transferring individual hair follicles to the affected areas allow hair transplants to be viable option for women as well.
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