It seems there is a never ending amount of women's health and beauty advice in the media from what clothes are fashionable to how to apply make up and style hair. But when it comes to hair loss, there is not nearly so much clear information available other than advertising hyperbole from products that claim to restore long and luscious locks overnight.
Back to reality and in order to successfully manage hair loss, it is essential to know what is causing it. There can be many different factors involved. Stress, pregnancy, medications and rapid weight loss can all cause a temporary condition called Telogen Effluvium. Thyroid, hormonal, blood disorders and stress can lead to Diffuse Thinning. And plain old genetics will trigger Female Pattern Hair Loss in approximately 50% of women.
While temporary shedding will stop once the underlying issue is resolved, every woman is different and some temporary conditions can trigger early Female Pattern Hair Loss if not dealt with properly or if the person has a certain genetic make-up. Some women (and most men) have a DNA structure that leads to increased levels of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) - the hormone which inhibits the growth of hair follicles which in turn leads to thinning hair, and sometimes baldness, in women. Men nearly always go bald if they leave the condition untreated.
Many women will develop this condition in their 30s with the thinning becoming noticeable by their 40s. Once the menopause starts, the thinning is usually more severe and the condition often becomes highly distressing for a woman. The stress can in turn exacerbate the hair loss and lead to a downward spiral.
There is only one product which has undergone extensive clinical studies and has been shown to be both safe and effective at tackling female hair loss. Minoxidil is a dose-dependent medication which means that the strength used is crucial to its effectiveness. Most high street products for female hair loss contain Minoxidil in a 2% concentration - but there have been clinical studies that clearly show Minoxidil in a 5% concentration is significantly more successful in treating Female Pattern Hair Loss.
It is possible to purchase Minoxidil in a 4% and 5% solution with added Medroxyprogesterone (MPG) and an extra-strength 12.5% cream with added Azelaic Acid. When Minoxidil is prepared in this way it becomes a prescription-only formulation which produces optimum levels of re-growth.
A consultation with a reputable hair specialist will provide you with an accurate diagnosis of the condition and clear advice on which strength of Minoxidil will work best for you. A good hair clinic will also provide you with a wide range of 'before and after' photos of its clients so that you can see evidence of the treatment working. It is always worth spending some time looking at a hair clinic's website and seeing what former clients have to say, so that you can make an informed decision. If you are suffering from hair loss, there is expert advice available online, on the telephone and in a clinic. A specialist will not only provide you with an early diagnosis and treatment programme that will help you take control of the condition but will also explain in detail the difference between the range of hair loss products available.
Hair Loss In WomenSophie is one of the Belgravia Hair Loss Blog's expert authors. The Belgravia Centre is a hair loss clinic and pharmacy in the UK and home to one of the world's leading hair loss websites and blogs - http://www.belgraviacentre.com/