VanScoy Ohio Hair Restoration Clinics

Female hair loss is much less well understood than men’s hair loss. When a woman shows hair loss, it is very common that hair loss was present among other women in her family. Since genetic hair loss presents itself differently in women and men, doctors use the Ludwig system to classify the type of hair loss women are experiencing rather than using the Norwood scale, which is used for men. The Ludwig scale was created for doctors treating women struggling with Androgenetic Alopecia (genetically related hair loss). The purpose of the Ludwig Scale is to measure female hair loss and determine the most appropriate treatment or hair restoration method.

Ludwig Classification of Female Pattern Hair Loss

Scale I: Hair is beginning to become thin and diffuse. However, it is very difficult for anyone except for the woman herself to notice. This is the perfect time to begin taking serious and conscientious methods to employ better hair and scalp care. This may include refraining from using high heat blow-dryers and curling irons. You may also consider purchasing appropriate shampoo and conditioner for your hair and scalp type. This is also the time when you should pay your doctor a visit.

Scale II: Women have lost approximately 50% of their hair when they reach Stage II. Hair loss is noticeable both to the woman herself and to others. At this stage, visiting your doctor is an absolute must. It is critical that a physician is able to collect a medical history and perform tests to rule out more serious conditions. At this point, you may also consider various hair replacement options such as an approved laser hair loss treatment program, a hair prosthesis, wigs, or hair replacement solutions that fit with both your lifestyle and preferred hairstyle.

Scale III: When women are classified as Grade III it means that their hair is widening significantly where the part is present. Hair loss at stage three is very obvious and the scalp is visible. Baldness is difficult to cover with natural hair and often a hair system is necessary for women who are uncomfortable with baldness. If you’ve already seen your doctor, you could consider paying him/her another visit to revisit medication options. Also, meeting with a hair replacement specialist is helpful at this point since modern, state-of-the-art hair replacement solutions exist which are totally undetectable, even up close. This may be especially important for the woman who wants to lead a happy, productive, and public life.

Scale IV: At this point, there is more visible scalp than hair. Medications that haven’t yet worked will likely not work. Hair loss is at its most severe during stage four and medical interventions have failed to restore your hair. If your hair loss is at this stage, then it’s time to move into a conversation about wigs and hair prostheses.

Many women wonder why they should want to classify their degree of hair loss using the Ludwig scale. Hair loss is hair loss, right? Not quite. The information that the scale provides can help to inform your next move. The more information you know about your hair loss, the better prepared you will be to understand the most appropriate hair loss treatments based on the degree of hair loss you are experiencing, and what the best course of action is to restore your hair and get back what you’ve been missing.

References

• Olsen EA (ed). Female Pattern Hair loss: Clinical Features and Potential Hormonal Factors. J Amer Acad Dermatol 2001; 45:S-70-S80.
• Olsen EA. Hair disorders. In: Freedberg IM et al (eds.) Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine, 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1999:729-751.
• Hair Loss Provider Directory

Keeping your hair healthy is an important part of maintaining your health. Many people think that keeping your hair health is a simple as avoiding harsh chemical treatments and making sure to get a trim a few times per year. While these types of maintenance practices are important, it doesn’t just end there. Below are six ways that you can keep your hair healthy.

Maintain a healthy diet. Maintaining a healthy, protein rich diet is an important part of keeping your hair healthy. Science has shown levels of vitamin B and D to correlate with healthy hair in individuals. Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, a Chicago-based dietitian, says “if you eat a healthy diet, you will grow stronger and healthier cells throughout your entire body—inside and out.”

Brush wisely. Always use a wide-tooth comb when you’re combing your hair. Begin at the root of your hair and gently bring the comb all the way to the end. If you feel that your hair is breaking remove the comb and try to disentangle the hair with your fingers. If at all possible, avoid brushing your hair when it’s wet, since that is when hair is at its weakest.

Dry safely. Avoid drying your hair with a blow dryer. Allow your hair to dry naturally. If you must use a blow dryer, only use it after your hair has dried naturally. Use the blow dryer just for a few minutes to help the hair get completely dry.

Consider your hair washing routine. Hair washing is particular to the type and integrity of your hair. If you have particularly oily hair, you may wash every day or every other day. For people with dryer hair, washing may occur as little as once a week. If you wash your hair daily, consider using a milder shampoo that won’t dry your hair out as much.

Trim your split ends. It is essential for women to get regular trims in order to rid their hair of split ends, says Valerie Monroe, Oprah magazine column writer. Many women don’t realize that untreated split ends become split hairs. You can identify a split end by looking at the ends of your hair. A split end will look exactly how it sounds: a single piece of hair that comes apart into two pieces at the very end

Be gentle with wet hair. Towel dry your hair very carefully when you get out of the shower. Refrain from brushing wet hair in order to prevent damage. Instead of brushing it when it’s wet, brush it well before you wash it. Not only will this help your hair remain unbroken it will also loosen dead flakes and skin from your scalp to help with cleaning during the shampooing process.

We don’t often take the time to care for our hair in a way that will allow it to get healthy and stay healthy. Try to budget a few minutes into your morning and evening schedule to spend some quality time tending to your locks. A few minutes every day may seem like a stretch, but it’ll be worth it when you look in the mirror.

According to Alopecia Studies & Hair Loss Alopecia Information, 40% of women by the age of 50 years old will show signs of hair loss. Female pattern baldness involves a pattern of hair loss in women that follows a particular cycle. Physicians attribute hair loss in women to hormones, aging, and other factors. Female pattern baldness may also be called alopecia, baldness, hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia.

Causes and Presentation:

The American Hair Loss Association explains that dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an offshoot of the hormone testosterone, is a major contributor to many types of hair loss. Essentially, DHT attacks hair follicles and either damages the follicle or kills them entirely. Female pattern baldness has several different courses and presentations. The course of female pattern baldness may include an overall and gradual thinning of the hair on the crown of the head. When thinning hair occurs for women, it usually begins at the top of the scalp and widens through the center of the head. Hair usually grows at a rate of half an inch per month. Hair may grow from two to six years, fall out, and immediately re-grow. The hair growth process spans three cycles: growth phase (or anagen phase), resting phase (or catagen phase), and falling out (or telegen phase).

TheAmericanAcademyof Family Physicians explains that the cause of female pattern baldness is undetermined. Potential causes may include: hormone imbalance, genetics, pregnancy, medical issues, and external causes. Complete baldness is relatively rare in women as compared to men. However, it may occur. Complete baldness occurs when hair falls out and a new hair fails to grow in its place. Although the causes behind baldness are not well understood, research demonstrates that baldness may be related to aging, changes in hormone levels, and/or a family history of hair thinning, hair loss or balding.

Female Hair Loss Treatment:

Once you’ve noticed hair loss, it is important to schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able to determine whether your hair loss is a disorder that requires medical treatment. If the doctor informs you that your hair loss is not resulting from a medical problem, consider that permanent hair loss could be a reality. It is important to remember that female pattern baldness is not a medical disorder.

Many women prefer to receive treatment in an effort to slow the course of hair thinning and baldness. Minoxidil is the only drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat female pattern baldness. Minoxidil, which is most commonly marketed under the brand name Rogaine, helps hair growth in approximately 20-25% of women. However, hair loss begins once you stop applying Mixoxidil.

Hair has been called a woman’s crowning glory. To look good is to feel good. Female pattern baldness and thinning hair can be painful, devastating, and embarrassing. Beauty is but one of many elements that comprise a woman’s life, yet one of the most important by which she is judged. Hair is a huge component of female beauty. Hair replacement or hair restoration may be an ideal solution if you suffering from thinning hair or moderate to severe hair loss.

According to Michael Suba, owner of Continental Hair Ltd. inToronto,Ontario, modern, state-of-the-art hair additions can be an extraordinary solution for female pattern thinning. “A hair integration system is a state-of-the-art hair enhancement that adds any amount of fullness, length and body to your existing hair. It is feather-light, secure and completely undetectable.”

Parting Thoughts

Female pattern balding is a reality that many women live with every day. Although the effects of hair loss can exact an emotional and psychological toll on women, there are resources available to help you solve your hair loss problem. If you are struggling to maintain your positive outlook on life in the face of female pattern baldness, we encourage you to contact a trained hair loss professional and explore the various state-of-the-art hair replacement and hair restoration solutions that are available today.

According to an article appearing in today’s New York Times online, “clean-cut young men have been going to [a barber shop in New York City's] West Village and asking for the same haircut: buzzed on the sides, longer on top and slicked back with a dab of pomade. You could call it a modified McSqueeb, a J. Edgar Hoover or maybe a Jimmy Darmody, after the character in “Boardwalk Empire.”

In the article, Scott Shuman, a professional photographer who has photographed men with the hairstyle in both Europe and the United States observes, “I think it goes along with a newly restored romance for tailoring, the cut and craftsmanship you see with this current heritage trend.”  Shuman’s blog, The Sartorialist, offers up photographic examples of this and other styles that have found their way in front of his talented lens.  Be sure to check it out.  Great blog!  (Kinda makes you wonder if the fedora might make a comeback anytime soon).

Read the entire NYT article here.