Hair loss treatments for women

Oct 2007

Hair loss affects about 60 million men in the United States, but the problem also plagues more than 20 million women. For many, it can be devastating, but now, there are more options than ever for women dealing with hair loss.

"Women's hair is their crowning glory, and if you don't have beautiful thick hair, then what has happened to you as a woman?" said Joan Denton, who suffered from hair loss.

Most women would love to have locks that were long, thick and lustrous, but some end up with the exact opposite.

Denton would not even walk outside when her hair loss got bad.

"It was scary. It was heart-wrenching," said Denton.

But now, she says enjoys the outdoors. Dr. Alan Bauman says it takes a variety of therapies to help women combat 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. And today, the number of tools are increasing," said Dr. Bauman.

One of the newest tools involves using lasers. The light energy stimulates cells and causes hair to grow. Patients need up to three, 15-minute sessions a week in an office setting.

The cost is $4,000 a year, or patients can try hand-held lasers at Hair Loss for up to $3,500.

"The FDA has approved a number of devices," Bauman said.

Rogaine is another option. The 2 percent solution of the product is FDA approved for women and costs about $40 per month.

Doctors can also prescribe Propecia, a pill that costs about $60 a month. Also, the tried and true hair transplant offers impressive results for women for about $10,000.

Joan Denton tried lasers, drugs and had a transplant.

"I am a different person. I got my life back. I no longer have to worry about going out and having the wind blow," she said.

Denton says she hopes other women will feel confident about going outside, as well.

Since Propecia is not FDA approved for women, doctors have to prescribe it off-label.

The results vary for each of the hair loss treatments, but Dr. Bauman says hair transplants typically take up to a year to get the full result for women.