Female Pattern Hair Loss: The Tall Tale as Old as Time

Those Unrealistic, But Magical, Moments

As a child, watching princesses prepare for the ball was a thing of magic: birds singing, cute critters primping her hair, and a fairy godmother to make all the perfect finishing touches…

As an adult, I know these scenes were a thing of fiction; it would have taken an hour to accurately depict the plucking, shaving, blow drying, back combing, and product application required to make a princess bare in all the right places with a luscious ponytail up top, strong enough for a prince to climb!

It is a strange and unfair conundrum that we attempt daily to remove hair from certain areas on our body but can’t seem to control the hair loss on our scalp. Albeit frustrating, don’t fall for the tall tale that there is nothing you can do about this. (And no, you don’t need to engage in dealings with a sea witch either!)

What Is Female Pattern Hair Loss?

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), otherwise called androgenic alopecia, is the miniaturization of hair follicles and shortening of the hair growth cycle. These factors are what lead to eventual hair loss. Like men, hair loss in women is caused by a plethora of factors including hormones (DHT in particular), age, genetics, and external factors like stress, medications, etc. Unlike in men, FPHL in women does not follow a predictable pattern. Some women may experience a widening of the gap in parted hair, diffuse areas of hair at the hairline, and/or a feeling of thinness throughout the scalp.

How Can I Prevent Further Hair Loss?

There is no denying this is frustrating, but if you wish upon a star and talk to a hair care professional, you’ll soon find that there are ways to treat and prevent further hair loss! When used correctly, products like minoxidil and Origenere’s Sempre Hair Growth Foam work to stop and reverse miniaturization of hair follicles. These are good starting options for people in early stages of hair loss or those looking for minimally invasive routes. Other options include PRP and exosome injections at a medical professional’s office. The most invasive, but often most successful option, is hair restoration surgery like FUE (follicular unit extraction).

When Should I Take Action Against the Antagonist that Is Female Hair Loss?

Whether it’s hormones, menopause, villains, or everyday stressors, hair loss can occur at various stages of life and for a variety of reasons. If you notice that your hair is thinning or changing from its previous density, it may be time to reach out to a hair restoration professional. Addressing these changes sooner rather than later may allow the opportunity to reverse currently miniaturized hair follicles and prevent future hair loss.

In Conclusion

All women experience hair woes at one time or another, but with hair loss it is important to know that it is normal, common, and treatable! Only you can save your hair princess, so straighten that crown and create your own hair care fairytale!