Female pattern hair loss

[Rightsaidfred]

Hi all

It's been some time coming but through popular demand, I have set up a new thread all about female hair loss.

This thread should remain professional, caring, informative and sensitive for anyone who reads and posts so please, no abuse. We are all women who should support one another.

I discovered I suffer from FPB (female pattern baldness) about 2 years ago, After noticing my parting was becoming wider. For me, the concentration is more around the very front top part of my fringe. I'd love to wear my hair in a centre parting but it just shows too much where my hair has reduced over time.

After much research and many blood tests, I discovered that there is no cure for this condition but there are options to help reduce the hair loss further. For my situation, it is also hereditary as my mother suffers the same as well as a cousin of mine.

So, what is this product that can help with FPB? It is a product called Minoxidil. You can get this over the counter in Boots and I use the 5% solution. It is a topical solution which needs to be applied onto dry scalp in the morning as well as in the evening for the rest of your life. Has it worked? Most definitely I can see a difference after using it for two years but, I wouldn't go as far to say that I have a new head of hair. It certainly does reverse the condition a little but it can get quite frustrating having to apply it twice daily. The problem with this solution, if you stop using it then your hair will start to fall out at the rate it was before. Ive learnt from much research that for every growth cycle, women with this condition find out that their hair follicle closes up which effectively stops the new hair from coming through thus, leaving you with a reduced amount of hair. I've heard of a laser comb which I have yet to try and at a mere £250 a comb, I'm not sure I could justify spending that sort of money on a gadget that hasn't had a huge impact on customers.lets open up the discussion.

Does anyone else suffer and if so, what did they find out about the condition and any treatments that have worked?

 

[ch-ela]

Tried to avoid this post, but I couldn't. It is so upsetting.

My daughter suffers from this too. She is only 20 and it started when she was 14. I think it saddens me so much as I come from a family of hairdressers. She uses Minoxidil on prescription, (she's not in the UK) but as you say, it needs to be applied twice a day and that's hard at her age. She works really hard and long hours so just doesn't always find the time or feel motivated. She had very little hair left on top by the time we found out what it is.
It was just a few days ago that I though about her condition and how I would love for her to go and see a specialist to see what they can do for her. I think they have looked into transplanting, but I don't think she has enough hair left for that.

There was an article in the mail yesterday about this too. I'll post the link below.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...rs-scalp-stimulate-hair-growth-thickness.html

Did you see it?

 

[dandelionpoppy]

I feel a bit of a fraud joining in, as my patch is small and can be disguised, but thank-you for the info.
It was a bit of a moment when I first noticed it. I mentioned it casually to my hairdresser who -eek- agreed, and then, on a visit to the GP for another reason, when he examined me and said there was a problem. He suggested a dermatologist, but I said I'd leave it for now, and also wondered whether a trichologist would be better.
It hasn't got any worse , so fingers crossed.
Strangely it seems to affect the lashes and brow on that side of my face too. I did find Revitalash and Revitabrow worked well, but very expensive.

I hope others, with far more severe symptoms, find an answer.

 

[Ajay]

I have alopecia areata, currently only along my parting.

I have been referred to a dermatologist. My doctor is of no use whatsoever having announced he can do nothing and the dermatologists will likely do nothing. As it's such a small area (easy for him to say!) they likely wont recommend steroid injections or creams etc unless it spreads to other locations or gets worse.

On some days, it really upsets me. I can't wear my hair down or cut it back into the short style I loved two summers ago. When people notice they stare, laugh or ask what I did etc. The banterish jokes at work wear pretty thin...

Other days, however, if they have so little tact, diplomacy and manners then they can naff right off! If this is the worst thing that happens to me then I have got off lightly! And I'll just have to find another hairstyle, darnit...

*shrug*

I've read a lot about both conditions but not found much epically helpful. So I'll be watching this thread with interest

 

[Abbeyleigh1987]

I know this is an old post but I, too am dealing with hair loss and aside from blood tests, nothing has been done. Im 28 and never had any problems up until the last year. I wonder if I too have this condition.

 

[Amy25]

Hi ladies from my study in this subject be it very limited and my own experience I think it comes down to what is triggering it you figure that out it helps a lot for me it was birth control a huge cause that a lot of people actually don't take into consideration

 

[littlebear]

I'm an acupuncturist and I've had good success treating this condition, but it does require a lot of sessions

 

[ArabianBeauty]

Blood tests will determine if it is an autoimmune issue which alopecia is, a dermatologist will deal with autoimmune issues better than a trichologist will.

Hair loss from birth control or any other sudden change in lifestyle such as childbirth or a trauma is likely to be Telogen Effluvium and most of the time will rectify itself.. Stress and diet play a major role.

As for the OP there are always gadgets being brought out that promise to open up the follicles and so on but there doesn't seem to be enough to back up the claims. Minoxidil will work temporarily, once stopped being used it will stop working... Female pattern hair loss is terrible when you are so young, many of my clients that suffer with it are only in their early 20s, from my professional point of view learning to style it in a less noticeable way or using hair replacement pieces or fibres may be best as the hunt for a cure may be a long wait... Of course combined with any medication suggested by your medical professional