Getting to the root of hair loss

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one in four women will experience some form of hereditary hair loss, which equals about 30 million women in the United States alone.

You may find your hair falling out in clumps or gradually thinning out.

Hair loss may be confined to one area or affect your entire head. Women experience either temporary or permanent hair loss, and differentiating between the two is not always easy. That's where your dermatologist, plastic surgeon or hair restoration specialist comes in.

Temporary hair loss

The most common causes of temporary hair loss are stress, hormones, thyroid disorders, certain medications and general anesthesia. Protein, vitamin or other dietary deficiencies from health-related issues, crash dieting or eating disorders can contribute as well.

Treatment of temporary hair loss requires identifying and treating the condition that is causing the hair loss.

Women are also prone to traction alopecia, which is hair loss due to styling habits. Tight braiding, weaves and hair extensions can put tension on the hair and result in breakage and loss.

While temporary and reversible in its early stages, traction alopecia can progress to permanent hair loss if these styling practices are continued.

Permanent hair loss

Hereditary, permanent hair loss is a complex physiological and biochemical process that cannot be easily reversed.

Hair loss manifests differently in women than it does in men. Women typically see an overall thinning or widening of the part, whereas men usually experience a receding hairline and/or a bald spot on the crown or back of the head.

Treating hair loss

The first rule of thumb when it comes to hair loss: Seek treatment as soon as you notice it. The sooner you find the cause, the sooner you can start treating it. And if there's a medical cause, you'll spare your health as well as your hair.

The only Food and Drug Administration-approved medical treatment to slow the progression of hair loss is minoxidil.

This medication is available over-the-counter as Rogaine, even as generic formulations in 2 percent and 5 percent concentrations. It is a topical solution that should be used twice daily. Side effects are minimal, but it can take up to six months or more for noticeable results. Consistent use is key; if you discontinue use or reduce treatment frequency, expect your hair loss to progress.

There is only one permanent option to reverse hair loss: hair restoration surgery. One of the biggest myths about hair restoration is that it doesn't work for women.

This procedure works exceptionally well for women, but it's important to find a specialist who understands hair loss in women and how to restore the hair in an aesthetically pleasing manner. With today's technology of microscopic follicular unit grafting, it's possible to obtain natural results with minimal recovery time.

When choosing a physician to treat your hair loss, find a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or specialized physician with dedicated expertise in hair replacement, specifically microscopic follicular unit grafting. Ask to see before-and-after photographs of recent hair restorations. During your consultation, focus on the aesthetic nuances your doctor recommends, including how he or she will restore your hair and maintain a natural growth pattern.

(Paige Herman and Marie Kuechel are editors of New Beauty, a semi-annual magazine about cosmetic enhancement. Reach them at editors (at)newbeauty.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)