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Mindy Forer never complains about brushing out her long hair.
However, not so long ago it was a different story. Forer said, "I was losing most of my hair in the very front of my scalp."
Forer lost her hair because of a medical condition. The effects of the hair loss were not only physical, but emotional.
"It is one of the most depressing things for a woman to lose her hair, it's just not natural," said Forer.
Medical experts said hair loss affects as many as 30 million women in the U.S.
While treatments like hair transplants have been done on men for years, women like Forer are getting them, too. Last year, there was nearly a 70 percent jump in female transplant patients over the year before.
"I typically am performing procedures on four to five women every week. It's definitely a growing trend," said hair restoration specialist Dr. Jeffrey Epstein.
Epstein said transplantation is now more refined, making it a viable option for women's unique needs.
"I'm also doing other procedures such as eyebrow and eyelash restoration," said Epstein.
"When I tell people I had implants in my eyebrows, they say, 'What?'" said hair loss patient Maggie Vazquez.
Vazquez sought help after over-plucking left her eyebrows bare.
When the tattooed look did not suit her, Vazquez said, "I decided to do the hair because it's a more natural look."
Whether a patient is transplanting hair onto a brow or brim, the procedure is similar. Doctors take a strip of hair, usually from the back of the head and then remove the follicles under a microscope.
"They cut little grafts of containing up to four hairs, and then we'll place each graft into the recipient sites," said Epstein.
Vazquez said, "I love my transplants; it makes me feel so much better about myself."
Spencer Kobren is founder of the American Hair Loss Association and hosts a radio show on balding. He said while the procedure works for many it's not for everyone.
"Those women who have hair transplants who aren't good candidates go through an incredible emotional roller coaster," said Kobren.
To get the best results, Kobren said a dense strip of donor hair is needed. However, since many women thin all over, Kobren said that could be difficult.
"It comes out from the sides, the top, the back," said Kobren.
Epstein agreed women who thin all over could pose a challenge, but he said he typically found enough hair to make it work.
"They may not be a good candidate for a dramatic change, but they can be a good candidate for enough of a change where they feel better about themselves," said Epstein.
If patients opt for a hair transplant, medical experts warn that it will not likely give celebrity-style hair.
Vazquez and Forer said they both knew what to expect and said they regained their hair and their happiness.
Epstein said it is critical for women to get a full medical workup before opting for hair restoration surgery.
Experts said many times in women hair loss is only temporary and is often caused by medications, dieting or pregnancy.
In those cases, Epstein said hair transplants should not be used as a solution.
Source: KGTV San DiegoAll rights reserved.