Female Hair Loss
Women experience baldness in different patterns than men. However, female baldness can often be treated with the same techniques and with excellent results. Nutrition and hormonal imbalance are more likely to be factors in thinning hair among women. Blood tests will usually be necessary to evaluate these possibilities. Women who have hair loss in the Ludwig patterns usually maintain a good hairline. The hair behind the hairline gradually miniaturizes, then becomes sparse. Usually the hair loss occurs at times of hormonal change such as contraception, childbirth, or menopause. It is uncommon for women to thin beyond a Ludwig's class II and very rare for complete baldness to occur. Christmas Tree Pattern may include the hairline. Often the hair loss accelerates in the early twenties and progresses little over time. The hair on the back of the head retains its original density and can be used to create micrograft hair transplants. Transplants are placed throughout areas of thinning hair. One or more treatments over time can produce considerable thickening of the hair (See patient C.F.). Menopause frequently exacerbates female thinning.
Balding in women can occur in different patterns.
Gradual pattern thinning throughout the top of the head behind the hairline. (Ludwig's Pattern I, II, III).
- Gradual thinning in one of the male patterns, rarely beyond IV.
- Diffuse alopecia (DA) in which the hair thins throughout the entire scalp.
- Christmas Tree Pattern
Women who have DA are not suitable candidates for hair transplantation. There is not sufficient donor hair to accomplish meaningful restoration. Fortunately, most women with hair loss fall into the other two groups and are treatable.
Patient I.M. (before) left and (after) right, had three sets of 400 grafts to the front central part of her head to add density in a female Christmas Tree Pattern. Interval was approx. 4-6 MONTHS between sessions.
Patient J.D. (before) left and (after) right, had two sets of grafts to fill in old brow lift scar. Each session was about 400 grafts, and the results were excellent. Filling in of old cosmetic surgery scars is quite common in females.
Patient C.F. before and after one hair transplant procedure of 1,000 grafts. Hair loss classification: II
LUDWIG'S PATTERNS
