Female Hair Loss Treatment London - Why Women's Hair Thinning Is Different
You find hair everywhere except where it belongs. On your pillow. In the shower drain. Wrapped around your hairbrush. Your ponytail feels thinner. Your parting looks wider. And nobody seems to understand why this is happening.
Female hair loss is isolating in ways that male baldness is not. Society expects women to have full, healthy hair. When yours is disappearing, it affects how you see yourself every time you look in the mirror.
Here is what you need to know about why women lose hair differently and what actually works to stop it.
Why Female Hair Loss Is Not Male Hair Loss
Men typically lose hair in predictable patterns. Receding hairlines. Bald crowns. The horseshoe shape that eventually connects.
Women lose hair differently. Diffuse thinning across the entire scalp. Gradual reduction in volume. A widening part that slowly reveals more scalp. Complete baldness is rare, but the thinning can be just as devastating.
The causes differ too. While male pattern baldness is primarily driven by DHT hormones, female hair loss has multiple potential triggers. Hormones play a role, but so do thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, stress, autoimmune conditions, and dozens of other factors.
This complexity means treatment cannot be one-size-fits-all. What works for your husband, brother, or male colleague may be completely wrong for you.
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Common Causes of Hair Loss in Women
Female Pattern Hair Loss
The most common cause, affecting up to 50% of women by age 50. Genetic sensitivity to androgens causes follicles to miniaturise, producing finer, shorter hairs until they stop producing visible hair entirely.
Unlike men, women typically retain their hairline but experience diffuse thinning, particularly at the crown and along the part.
Hormonal Changes
Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and stopping hormonal contraception can all trigger hair shedding. Polycystic ovary syndrome causes hormonal imbalances that affect hair.
Thyroid disorders, both overactive and underactive, commonly cause hair loss. This is often reversible once thyroid levels normalise.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Iron deficiency is remarkably common in women and frequently causes or worsens hair loss. Ferritin levels need to be optimal for hair, not just within normal range.
Vitamin D, B12, zinc, and protein deficiencies all affect hair growth. Restrictive diets and eating disorders commonly trigger hair loss.
Stress and Trauma
Physical stress from illness, surgery, or crash dieting can trigger telogen effluvium, where large numbers of hairs simultaneously enter the shedding phase.
Emotional stress affects hair too, though the mechanism is less direct. Chronic stress disrupts hormones and diverts resources away from hair growth.
Autoimmune Conditions
Alopecia areata causes patchy hair loss when the immune system attacks follicles. Lupus and other autoimmune conditions can also affect hair.
Why Proper Diagnosis Matters
Treating female hair loss without knowing the cause wastes time and money. Iron supplements will not help if your iron is normal. Minoxidil will not reverse thyroid-related loss. PRP cannot overcome severe nutritional deficiency.
A proper consultation includes detailed history, scalp examination, and blood tests to identify contributing factors. Only then can appropriate treatment be recommended.
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Treatment Options That Work for Women
PRP Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma is particularly well-suited to female hair loss. It works for the diffuse thinning pattern common in women, stimulating existing follicles across the entire scalp.
PRP is natural, using your own blood. There are no hormonal side effects. It is safe during most life stages, though we advise waiting until after breastfeeding.
A series of three to four treatments typically produces visible improvement in thickness and coverage within three to six months.
Targeted Supplementation
When deficiencies are identified, correcting them can significantly improve hair. But even without deficiency, certain supplements support hair growth.
Nutrafol Women is a clinically-studied hair growth supplement that addresses multiple pathways affecting hair health. It contains medical-grade botanicals targeting stress hormones, inflammation, and oxidative damage that compromise hair growth.
Unlike basic vitamins, Nutrafol takes a comprehensive approach. Many of our patients use it alongside PRP for enhanced results. It works from inside while PRP works from outside, addressing hair health from both directions.
Minoxidil
The only FDA-approved topical treatment for female pattern hair loss. Available in 2% and 5% strengths. It extends the growth phase and stimulates follicles.
Minoxidil requires consistent daily application and ongoing use to maintain results. It works well but requires commitment.
Hormonal Treatments
For women with hormonal contributors, treatments like spironolactone can help by blocking androgen effects on follicles. These require careful medical supervision.
Addressing Underlying Conditions
If thyroid dysfunction, PCOS, or other conditions are contributing, treating these often improves hair. Sometimes this alone resolves the problem.
What to Expect From Treatment
Hair grows slowly. Approximately half an inch per month. Even effective treatment takes months to show visible results.
Initial improvement often means reduced shedding. You notice less hair in the drain, on your brush, on your clothes. New growth and increased density follow.
Most women see meaningful improvement within six months of starting appropriate treatment. Maximum results may take 12 months or longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can women use the same treatments as men? Some treatments overlap, like minoxidil and PRP. Others, like finasteride, are generally not used in women of childbearing age. Treatment must be tailored to your situation.
Will my hair grow back completely? This depends on the cause and how long you have been losing hair. Early treatment produces better results. Complete restoration to teenage density is unlikely, but significant improvement is achievable.
Is hair loss during menopause permanent? Menopause-related hair loss can be treated. While you may not return to pre-menopausal volume, treatment prevents further loss and can improve density.
How much does female hair loss treatment cost? Varies by treatment type. Consultation establishes what you need. We provide transparent pricing before any treatment.
Should I take supplements even without deficiencies? Supplements like Nutrafol work through multiple mechanisms beyond correcting deficiency. They can benefit women with healthy blood tests by addressing stress, inflammation, and other factors.
Your hair loss has causes. Finding and addressing them changes everything.
