Hair Loss Treatments for Women: What Are the Best Options?

A quick look at the best hair loss treatments for women

Hair loss in women is a natural part of the aging process, with most women experiencing hair loss after menopause. In fact, more than half of women ages 50 and older will experience some degree of hair loss.

There are several different treatment options for female pattern baldness and other types of alopecia, depending on the cause. These may include topical medications, oral medications, laser therapy, hormone therapy, hair transplants, dietary changes, or supplements.

It’s always a good idea to talk with your doctor about hair loss since they can help identify any medical conditions contributing to hair loss and recommend the right treatment.

What is female hair loss?

There are several reasons why hair may thin, from nutritional deficiencies, illness, and stress to genetics.

While male pattern baldness is perhaps more well-known, 55% of women over the age of 70 will experience some female-pattern hair loss.

The scale most healthcare professionals will use to determine the severity of hair loss is the Ludwig classification.

Hair loss has many causes, including:

• Genetics: Androgenic alopecia is a genetic, or hereditary, condition.
• Age: As people get older, they will likely notice hair thinning.
• Immune system: Sometimes, the body can attack hair follicles, leading to alopecia areata.
• Illnesses and other conditions: Hormonal imbalances, inflammatory conditions, thyroid disease, and other illnesses can cause hair thinning or hair loss.
• Cancer: Cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, can cause hair loss.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Not getting enough vitamins and minerals can lead to hair thinning.
• Hair care: Tight hairstyles or damage from coloring, perming, straightening, or bleaching hair can damage follicles.

Types of alopecia

Some types of alopecia include:

• Androgenetic alopecia is female pattern baldness or hair loss caused by genetics. It’s the leading cause of hair loss in women and can begin gradually any time after puberty. While men tend to notice balding as a receding hairline and specific bald spots, hair loss in women appears more as overall thinning.
• Alopecia areata describes patchy hair loss that happens suddenly on the head or body. This type of alopecia typically begins with one or more round bald patches that may begin to overlap.
• Cicatricial alopecia is a group of conditions that causes irreversible hair loss through scarring. Hair falls out, and the follicle is replaced with scar tissue.
• Traumatic alopecia causes hair to fall out due to different types of hair styling. Using hot combs, blow dryers, straighteners, or certain chemicals to dye or straighten your hair may damage and break the hair shaft.

Healthline’s pick of the best hair loss treatments for women

Want to explore treatment options? Here are some to consider.

Other treatments that may help prevent hair loss in women

Corticosteroid injections

Corticosteroid injections may help treat certain types of hair loss, including:

• alopecia areata
• hair loss caused by discoid lupus
• hair loss caused by lichen planopilaris, a form of lichen planus that affects your scalp

These injections work by reducing immune system attacks and inflammation. Treatment involves multiple injections in affected areas, with potential hair regrowth in as little as 4 weeks. Sessions can be repeated every 4 to 6 weeks.

Side effects of injections may include skin atrophy and thinning of the scalp skin. While topical corticosteroids are an option, they may be less effective. Oral corticosteroids can cause more significant side effects.

You can only receive corticosteroid injections from a healthcare professional.

Topical tretinoin

Topical tretinoin (Retin-A) is sometimes combined with minoxidil to treat androgenic alopecia. However, research on its effectiveness alone is limited.

Potential side effects include skin irritation, dryness, and skin color changes. While FDA-approved for skin care, tretinoin is not approved for hair loss. It may also cause hair loss in some cases, so use it only under a doctor’s guidance.

A prescription is required for Retin-A.

Topical anthralin

Anthralin topical cream (Dithralin), originally used as a treatment for psoriasis, may also prove effective for the treatment of mild alopecia areata.

Known as a “scalp sensitizer,” anthralin creates an irritant reaction that stimulates the immune system and encourages hair growth. You’ll apply this cream once daily, directly to the scalp in areas where you want to encourage hair growth. New hair growth may sprout up within 6 months.

Side effects may include irritant dermatitis and a temporary, brownish discoloration of lighter skin tones and hair colors.

You’ll need a prescription for anthralin.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

PRP therapy for hair loss involves drawing blood, separating the plasma (which contains growth factors), and injecting it into hair follicles.

The procedure takes roughly 10 minutes and causes minimal discomfort for most people. Results may include reduced hair loss and increased thickness or regrowth within3 months.

PRP requires multiple treatments, spaced weeks apart, with maintenance every 3 months. Potential risks include injury to blood vessels/nerves, infection, and scar tissue. It can only be performed by a healthcare professional.

Try acupuncture

Acupuncture may help with alopecia areata by stimulating hair follicles. One 2020 study found a 95.45% success rate for acupuncture compared to 81.4% for Western treatments.

While evidence is limited, acupuncture is generally safe when performed by a licensed professional. Consult a healthcare professional for referrals or use the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine directory.

Tips for living with hair loss

There are further home remedies and tips that may help reduce the appearance of hair thinning or hair loss.

Add nutrient-rich foods to your diet

A nutrient-rich diet may support hair regrowth. Eating whole foods high in key vitamins can help, including:

• Vitamin A: examples include sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, kale
• Vitamin B: examples include fortified cereal, pork, beef, eggs, yogurt
• Vitamin C: examples include strawberries, peppers, citrus fruits

If you suspect a nutrient deficiency, consult a healthcare professional for testing. At-home vitamin deficiency tests are also available.

Opt for gentler hairstyles

It can help to avoid tightly bound styles, like braids, buns, or ponytails, and try to resist twisting or rubbing your hair as much as possible.

Instead, gently wash and brush hair. Switching to a wide-toothed comb can also help prevent too much pulling at the roots.

Try to limit the following, too:

• hot rollers
• curling or straightening irons
• hot oil treatments
• bleach, dye, and other chemical treatments

Destress

You can’t always prevent stress that comes up in your life, but you may be able to manage it more effectively with coping strategies such as:

• exercise
• yoga
• mindfulness techniques, like meditation
• self-care
• therapy

Taking steps to minimize and navigate stress before it overwhelms you could help lower your chances of experiencing physical side effects, like hair loss.

When to connect with a doctor

If you’re experiencing hair loss, a good next step involves connecting with a dermatologist who can:

• help determine what type of hair loss you have
• rule out any underlying medical causes
• offer more information about your options for treatment
• refer you to an additional specialist, if needed

You may want to reach out sooner rather than later if you notice:

• sudden or patchy hair loss, or more hair loss than you’d typically experience
• changes in your hair shedding and regrowth patterns
• any scalp irritation, inflammation, or discoloration

Frequently asked questions about hair loss treatments

Takeaway

There are several treatments you can consider if you’re female with hair loss.

Some conditions causing temporary hair loss will resolve themselves without treatment, or with a few lifestyle changes. If getting the right nutrients, minimizing stress, and avoiding tight hairstyles don’t seem to help, a doctor or dermatologist can offer more information on prescription treatments.

At the end of the day, remember you do have safe and effective options for treating hair loss, and treatment can make a big difference.