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Email this articleHair Loss Options for Women
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By Julie Marks
Hair loss affects about 60 million men in the United States, but the problem also plagues about 40 million women.
Alan J. Bauman, M.D., from the Bauman Medical Group in Boca Raton, Fla., tells Ivanhoe: "Women's hair loss is a topic that has been under cover. It's kind of been in the closet so to speak and kept kind of hush, hush." Luckily, there are more options than ever before for women.
One of the newest approaches is low-level laser therapy. The light energy stimulates cells and causes hair to grow. It's the same technology doctors use to manage wounds and control pain. The lasers can be administered in a doctor's office or purchased for home use. Typically, patients will need up to three, 15-minute sessions a week in an office setting, and the cost runs about $4,000 a year. Hand-held lasers can range from $300-$3,500. "The data is very clear. There are over 3,000 papers published on low-level laser therapy, and the FDA has approved a number of these devices," says Dr. Bauman.
Another option for women is Rogaine. The 2 percent topical solution is designed specifically for women, but Dr. Bauman says he often recommends the 5 percent solution as an off-label treatment. He says many of the women he treats see better results with this more potent form.
Propecia is a treatment typically prescribed for men with hair loss, but Dr. Bauman says some European studies show the pill can also help women. He routinely prescribes Propecia to women but warns those of childbearing age should not take the medication. Studies have shown the drug may cause harm to male fetuses. Propecia costs about $60 a month.
Hair transplantation is another tried-and-true option that can help women. The procedure typically costs about $10,000. Doctors take hair follicles from the back of the scalp and transplant them into the thinning or balding areas of the head. "The days of old, plug-type transplants are gone to the wayside," says Dr. Bauman. "Today, we are using very small, very tiny grafts. Using follicular units, we can get in and between existing hairs. So, transplants for women today are a viable option because of the size of the grafts." and nbsp;
Dr. Bauman says it's important to understand that a multi-therapy approach always works best in treating hair loss. "Just like if you are on a health kick. You want to use diet and exercise to get the result. The same is true in other areas of medicine, like hair loss," he says.
Source: KOLD News 13 TusconAll rights reserved.