Women may lose hair due to a hereditary condition called "female pattern baldness," which is permanent. Additionally, women may also lose their hair temporarily as a result of medication, like chemotherapy, or telogen effluvium, a stress-related disorder that causes hair loss. In some cases, it is possible to regrow hair, even if hair loss is due to female pattern baldness. Although there are some hair regrowth products available over-the-counter, the most dramatic results are procedures performed by a doctor.
Step 1
Wait it out. In the case of temporary hair loss due to chemotherapy or telogen effluvium, hair will eventually grow back and does not require a treatment plan. Women who have undergone chemotherapy will begin to regrow hair about a month after the treatment has ended.
Step 2
Consider an at-home hair laser treatment. "Washingtonian Magazine" suggests hair laser combs, which involve combing a laser light device through the hair. Laser combs are designed to stimulate growth of new hair on the scalp. According to the International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology, individuals using at-home laser devices may experience increased hair growth after about six months of regular use.
Step 3
Use a topical hair regrowth medication. Popular medications for women include minoxidil and anthralin. Minoxidil is available over-the-counter, while anthralin requires a prescription from a doctor. Both medications can stimulate hair growth and prevent more hair from falling out. Finasteride, another common hair loss treatment, is not approved by the FDA for use in women, states the Mayo Clinic, because it can cause birth defects.
Step 4
Consider hair transplant surgery. Hair transplant surgery is only approved for women who have lost their hair due to female pattern baldness and not another condition. Hair transplant surgery involves the transplantation of hair from another part of the body. After hair is transplanted, it will grow like natural hair and can be cut and styled.
Step 5
Get corticosteroid injections if you suffer from alopecia areata. A doctor can inject the scalp with small doses of corticosteroids to stimulate hair growth in patients with alopecia areata, a condition that causes hair loss.
Tips and Warnings
- Consult a doctor as soon as you notice hair loss to determine if it is female pattern baldness or a serious illness.
- Minoxidil may cause scalp irritation in some individuals.
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