Many people think that hair loss only happens to men. The fact is, women make up 40 percent of the people who suffer from hair loss in America. It is estimated that over 21 million American women suffer from some form of hair loss, but only 12 percent of them seek treatment. That percentage is much lower than the 20 percent of men who seek treatment for their alopecia.
Hair loss isn’t just a man’s problem, and more women should feel open to seeking treatment. You don’t have to suffer in silence and feel like there aren’t any options available to you. SmartGraft™ treatments (our Philadelphia FUE Hair Transplant system) can benefit many women who have lost their hair due to different reasons.
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Genetics
Genetics plays a significant role in hair loss. Androgenic alopecia is the term for female pattern baldness, which is an inherited trait. While you may not have a receding hairline like men, female hair loss is often expressed as a widening of the part or overall thinning of the hair.
Hormones
An imbalance of hormones like estrogen and testosterone can lead to short-term or long-term hair loss. Women commonly lose hair during or following pregnancy, when they switch or stop birth control, or when they enter menopause. Many of these issues are reversible; however, some women see such significant hair loss that they require treatment to return to their normal hair volume.
Stress and Anxiety
Physical and emotional stress can cause your body to start shedding hair because there has been an alteration to the hair growth cycle. A traumatic event can shock your body into the shedding phase earlier, or for longer periods of time than normal. While this hair usually grows back, some women may find that treatments help the hair return to a more natural volume faster.
Treating Hair Loss With SmartGraft™
SmartGraft™ is designed to restore fuller, thicker hair. Hair follicle grafts are harvested from other areas of your body and transplanted into the treatment area. All implanted hair grafts are strategically placed to frame your face. SmartGraft™ results are noticed more quickly than other hair loss treatments, and they are permanent.
Treating Hair Loss with PRP Injections
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections use the patient’s own platelets, which have a very high concentration of growth factors, to stimulate hair cell regeneration. This process makes existing hair follicles healthier, allowing you to grow thicker hair. The process involves drawing the patient’s blood, like you would for any lab test, and then spinning the tubes of blood in a special centrifuge to concentrate the platelets in a discrete layer. The platelets are removed and injected into the areas of hair loss. The scalp is first numbed and a very small needle is used to inject small amounts of the PRP. Typically, a series of three sets of injections are recommended six or so weeks apart. However, some patients see results after just one set of injections.
To see if you are a good candidate for SmartGraft™ treatments or to discuss your hair loss options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Pontell today. You can call our office at 610-688-7100 or contact us online.