Jennifer Allyn Lisa Doty Aisha Hasan (847) 240-1730 (847) 240-1746 (847) 240-1735 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

FACT SHEET

Hair Loss in Women

• Hair loss is a common problem for women which can be distressing. • Hereditary hair loss is a medical condition that affects approximately 30 million American women. • In quality-of-life studies, women reported a higher incidence of behavior that interfered with their daily lives – including a significant loss of self-esteem, being introverted, feeling less attractive and tense feelings in public places. • The average person loses 50 to 100 hairs per day. People who notice their hair shedding in large amounts after combing or brushing, or whose hair becomes thinner or falls out, should consult a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis of Hair Loss • To properly diagnose the cause of hair loss, a dermatologist will ask the patient for a detailed history. This includes medications, allergies, family history and diet, as well as a woman’s record of menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. • A thorough examination of the hair also will take place. This typically involves a detailed inspection of the hair and scalp. • Hair distribution over the rest of the body also will be assessed to see if there is too little or too much hair in other areas. • Scalp biopsies can be used to make or confirm a diagnosis of hair loss and can be essential in guiding therapy.

Causes of Hair Loss • If hair loss begins suddenly, illness, nutrition, medication or pregnancy may be the cause. The cause also could be a genetic syndrome or hormone- related disorder. • The pattern of hair thinning (localized or diffused) can determine the reason for the hair loss. • Hair care practices and use of hair cosmetics (e.g. bleaching, permanent waving) can be a key factor of hair loss.

-more- Hair Loss Fact Sheet Page 2

Treatment of Hair Loss in Women • Topical minoxidil has been shown to help in the regrowth of hair or slow hair loss. • Hair loss caused by diseases such as thyroid disease can be reversed with treatment of the underlying disease. • Topical or injectable cortisone medications have been shown to accelerate regrowth of hair for certain conditions. • Hair transplantation is a permanent form of hair replacement utilizing dermatologic surgery to move some existing scalp hair to bald or thinning parts. It may benefit women with thinning hair and those who have lost some but not all hair from burns or other scarring injuries to the scalp, eyebrows or eyelashes. • Hair styling and scalp camouflage techniques are helpful adjuncts in minimizing the appearance of hair loss in women.

Hair Loss in Men • Hereditary hair loss is a medical condition that affects approximately 50 million American men. • Hair loss can be inherited from either the mother's or father's side of the family. • Men have a 50 percent chance of experiencing hair loss by their 50th birthday. The hereditary condition, clinically termed androgenetic alopecia, is characterized by a receding hairline, as well as a loss of hair on top of the scalp. • Treatment options topical minoxidil and oral finasteride have been shown to help in the regrowth of hair or slow hair loss. • Hair transplantation is another treatment option that offers a permanent form of hair replacement utilizing dermatologic surgery to move some existing scalp hair to bald or thinning parts.

See your dermatologist for successful diagnosis and treatment of hair loss.

Find a dermatologist by visiting the American Academy of Dermatology’s Web site at www.aad.org.

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