Hair loss in men and women very much common. It is generally believed that hair loss is only gifted to men, but the reality is totally different. Both male and female, face almost the same kinds of hair loss.
The most common cause of hair loss in both men and women is androgenic alopecia. It is also known as pattern hair loss or pattern baldness. As we go in depth, androgenic alopecia in men is known as male pattern hair loss and in women, it is known as women pattern hair loss.
Read Also: What is Androgenic Alopecia
According to the statistics, around about 70% of American men and 50% of the American ladies will encounter the same type of balding somewhere in their lifetime.
Before we get in the treatments let’s get an overview of both pattern baldness.
Male Pattern Baldness
Hair loss can start as early as in the 20s, and it might not start ever in one’s life. This type of hair loss is totally natural. It is due to the genetics which passes from either parent.
This is the most common form of hair loss. In male pattern hair loss, hair starts thinning from the top of the head. Hairline also starts moving back. If you don’t take any measure to stop the baldness process your hair will totally disappear within the next 10-12 years.
Female Pattern Baldness
Women are very lucky when it comes to baldness. They don’t have baldness as men have, but they do have. In women pattern hair loss, women start feeling thinning of their hair.
The biggest advantage on the women side is that their hairline doesn’t change its position. Female pattern baldness rarely leads towards complete baldness.
Treatments
There are many treatments available in the market for hair loss. Most commonly used treatment are Minoxidil, Finasteride, and hair transplant, etc.
We are going to discuss these major medications of hair loss with respect to both male and female.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is available all over the counter for the treatment of hair loss. Minoxidil is a nonprescriptive medication. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States of America.
Minoxidil is used for both male and female but in a different manner. When the hair growing feature of Minoxidil was discovered, Minoxidil started coming in two concentration. Those were
- 2% concentration of Minoxidil
- 5% concentration of Minoxidil
Minoxidil of 2% consideration was used by the patients of female pattern baldness. Women were used to using this concentration twice a day of 1mL. As far as not it not available as it was in the past. Companies stopped making 2% concentration now they refer the same 5% concentration of Minoxidil to both men and women.
Read Also: How to use Minoxidil
For Men: It is advised to use Minoxidil of 5% concentration two times a day. Once in the morning and second time, at least 2 hours before going to bed.
For Women: Minoxidil of 5% concentration should be used once a day by women, as their skin is more sensitive than men. 1mL is suggested to be used daily.
It is instructed that do not use excessive amount Minoxidil for the earlier result. It will cause many side effects. Also, never try to cover any missed dose, if you missed any try to take it as soon as possible. If it’s time for the next dose than just skip it and get back to the regular dose.
Finasteride
Finasteride is an oral medication which is used to control hair loss. This is a prescriptive medication. It is available in the form of pills.
Right now, finasteride is only available for men. It is quite sensitive for women. Although it is in a trial phase, medical professional are testing it for women.
Normally doctors suggest taking one pill of 1mL on a daily basis. It needs at least 4 months of regular use to show some visible results.
Hair Transplant
This is the most effective and also expensive at the same time. Hair transplantation is a permanent cure for hair loss. While previously mentioned medications were used to slow down the balding process.
In men and women, hair transplantation has the same procedure. Surgeons cut hair form the healthy part of the scalp and put them in the affected part of the scalp. Medical professionals perform this operation while keeping the patient awake.
