Advice for Women Experiencing Hair Loss

We keep a close eye on advice from experts that the hair loss community might find valuable, and the news segment below fits the bill. The segment from THV11 in Little Rock features hair stylist Dennis Harris (with Breathe Salon in Little Rock) offering advice to women who are experiencing hair loss.

The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 30 million women are affected by Female Pattern Hair Loss in the US alone. This probably underestimates the actual number since it is far easier for women to camouflage hair loss.

We are impressed with Mr. Harris' knowledge of the issue and his good advice on the subject, but we aren't surprised, Many of our referrals come from stylists who encourage their customers to arrange a consultation with Dr. Arocha and see if treatment can help.

The treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss is both medical and surgical. The medical treatment includes Spironolactone, and Rogaine. The Spironolactone has weak anti-androgen action hence it needs to be used at higher dosages and for a prolonged time. The dosage should be 100-200 mg per day. Caution needs to be employed that if the woman is fertile birth control needs to be used because of the potential feminization of male fetus. Also the monitoring of the serum potassium (K+) needs to done monthly since Spironolactone is a K + sparing diuretic. Rogaine 5% should be used twice per day for the first 6 months then once per day. This regimen ensures a more rapid response and it is much easier to be compliant with a once per day regimen. The use of 5% Rogaine carries a greater risk of the growth of facial hair.

The best results are obtained with the surgical treatment in the appropriate patients, which employs the use of ultra-refined follicular unit transplantation. The follicular unit transplantation (FUT) can be used to maximize the density in strategic areas to facilitate hair styling options. The FUT can also restore the hairline in those women with male pattern recessions.

To learn more, please see Dr. Arocha's Presentation on Hair Loss in Women.