Hair loss treatments for men and ladies have some similarities and differences. Here are some solutions that are effective for both males and females.

February 10, 2020

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Can men and ladies use the same hair loss treatment?

Hair loss happens to anyone regardless of age or gender. If you are wondering about the effectiveness of hair loss treatment for men and ladies, here are some facts about the treatments for different gender types.

Causes of hair loss in men and ladies

While the most common cause of hair loss is genetics, other causes can include major lifestyle changes (such as diet), traumatic experiences (such as stress) or even menopause in women.

It should not be alarming if you have been experiencing hair shedding on occasion. Experts say that losing up to 100 strands of hair a day is normal for both men and women. Temporary hair loss is typically brought about by stress or medication side effects, and with a few lifestyle changes, the symptoms should subside.

Another common type of hair loss, alopecia areata, generally has no determined cause. It is a genetic autoimmune disorder that causes sudden clumps of hair loss, and has no cure. To rule out alopecia areata, it is recommended to see your physician or doctor for a proper diagnosis.

You should seek a long-term solution when the amount of hair loss is significantly larger than usual, say, about the size of your palm.

Genetics

If you are genetically predisposed to a condition, it means you are more likely to inherit it than most people.

Androgenetic alopecia is also known as “male pattern baldness”, and it is most recognizable from its characteristic gradual balding on the crown of the head and temples.

Typically prevalent in men, this type of hair loss is caused by a lack of a specific hormone called androgen that is more abundant in men, attributing to their masculinity.

Studies found that a deficiency in this hormone can lead to hair thinning and shedding, resulting in bald spots on the frontal areas of the head.

Women can also experience a similar genetic hair loss pattern, called female pattern hair loss. It is more likely for women to experience hair loss as a combination of other triggers than simply genetic factors alone, though studies on androgenetic alopecia in women are still underway.

Medical conditions

Hair loss can also be attributed to a person’s state of health. More common among those who have just undergone a major surgical operation or recovering from a severe infection, medical conditions can adversely affect hair growth and result in permanent hair loss if left untreated.

Conditions like an imbalance in thyroid hormones can induce hair loss. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are two common medical conditions that is a result of a disruption to the thyroid glands or hormones, culminating in metabolic disorders and triggering hair loss.

A weak metabolism hinders our body’s growth and development, and often affects the health of our scalp and hair.

In women, female pattern hair loss can be triggered by hormonal imbalances during pregnancy or after childbirth. The mother’s body goes through many changes during these stages, and hair loss is a normal symptom while the body learns to adapt to the numerous changes and the growing baby.

Medication side effects

Different medications can have varying side effects, but the most common ones for drugs such as beta-blockers include hair thinning. Cancer medications are also another type of drug that can trigger hair loss.

Besides medication, some cancer treatments like radiation therapy can also cause hair loss, only in the areas that are treated. If you were being treated on a body part apart from your head, you will not experience hair loss on your scalp.

Hair loss symptoms

Symptoms of hair loss can appear subtle at first, but over time may accumulate to form large clumps of hair in the shower drain or thinning spots on the sides of your head.

Especially for men, you may experience hair thinning on the crown of your head or a receding hairline on the forehead, which are characteristics of androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness.

For women, the symptoms of female pattern hair loss may be somewhat similar. This type of hair loss can come about as a gradual thinning on the top of your head, where your hair separates in the middle parting or on the side.

Bald spots as big as the size of dollar coins can also be a red flag, even more so if you feel some pain or itchiness around the area.

Hair loss treatments for men and ladies

Many people struggle with the same hair loss concerns you do. There are hair growth treatments available to treat hair loss, and they are effective for both men and women.

These treatments range from over-the-counter medicine or non-invasive treatments and are effective in restoring your scalp’s health and growing your hair back.

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs

A familiar OTC drug that is often prescribed to help patients recover the masses of their hair or prevent hair loss is Rogaine, or Minoxidil. A doctor’s prescription is required before buying it in a pharmacy, and it comes in either a liquid or foam type.

Simply dab and rub the medication on your scalp once a day. It is important to note that Minoxidil is not a short-term solution; it is usually prescribed as a long-term care routine to prevent further hair loss, which in turn aids hair growth.

Another drug that also helps to prevent hair loss is finasteride, which is the medical term of the drug generally prescribed to treat enlarged prostates, and eventually hair loss, in men.

Studies have reported that the mechanism of the drug works by reducing the production of the hormone that is responsible for decreasing the size of hair follicles, causing only fine hair or a lack thereof to form.

With this out of the way, hair is encouraged to grow as per normal without being constrained by small follicles.

As with any other drug, it is always good to take note of the varying side effects that can be caused.

A lower libido or sexual dysfunctions such as difficulty maintaining or getting erections have been reported in about 3% of men in clinical trials for finasteride. Speak with your doctor about the possible side effects and how you can best manage them.

Hair transplants

Also an ideal solution for hair loss problems, a hair transplant is effective for covering up bald spots or making the thinning areas less evident.

Especially for immediate hair loss which may be side effects of a surgery or medication, hair transplant surgeries can serve as a quick fix to prevent further hair loss in men and women.

The surgeries are normally done as an outpatient treatment, where bald spots are covered up with hair attached to scalp patches from other areas of the head.

A hair transplant surgery is a good alternative for scattered bald spots instead of largely balding areas. Do note that some side effects of a surgery such as this one can include itching, bleeding, or dry skin.

Laser treatments

Laser treatments have become a popular method to stop hair loss and encourage new hair to grow. With advanced technologies, laser treatments can be painless, effective, and even be a therapeutic experience for patients.

Laser therapies such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can benefit your hair and scalp at the same time, promoting hair regrowth and improving hair thickness. One of the benefits of laser therapies is that it uses heat energy to stimulate the hair follicles on your scalp to prevent hair loss – no chemicals are used in this treatment.

Laser combs adopt the same mechanism as laser therapies. In LLLT, you can sit back and relax while a high-powered LED lens emits red light to your scalp.

Red light has been proven to boost hair growth, density and thickness in patients struggling with hair loss. For men, this means a boost in your hair density on the crown of your head. Women can expect thicker tresses with laser therapies.

As a non-ablative treatment, many people opt for laser therapy because scalpels, knives or sutures are not involved. There is also the benefit of experiencing lesser side effects as compared to surgical hair loss treatments, and clients have reported significant results after a few sessions with laser therapy.

Medical hair growth treatments

To rectify your hair fall problems, it is important to see the “root” of the problem. A healthy scalp translates to healthy hair growth, and if you find that your scalp is overly greasy or oily, too dry, or itchy, then a scalp treatment or small changes in your lifestyle habits can help to improve your scalp’s health.

Some scalp treatments, especially for severe types of hair loss, are medically-based and requires several injections into the dermis layer to boost the growth cycle. An example of such a hair growth treatment is the DNA Activator, an FDA-approved treatment performed by aesthetic doctors at Illumia Medical.

By activating weak or dormant hair follicles in the scalp, Illumia’s team of board-certified aesthetic doctors together with Papilla By Kim Lim’s scalp experts have developed a scalp rejuvenation programme to provide a viable solution for individuals experiencing mild to severe hair loss.

The hour-long treatment offers several benefits, including reduced side effects, zero downtime, and zero risk of damage to surrounding tissue and cells for effective hair growth.

Non-invasive hair growth treatments

If you are looking for non-invasive, non-surgical yet effective scalp treatments, Papilla’s award-winning S.E.P. Activator for Hair Loss and DNA Activator utilises modern technology to help men and ladies restore their crowning glory.

What is the S.E.P. Activator?

Known as the world’s first true alternative to needles, the Scalpelectroporation® (S.E.P.) technology is FDA-approved and cleared to deliver key ingredients to the scalp without needles and injections. Using patented current pulses, this technology also improves serum absorption into the skin by up to 17X.

At Papilla, the S.E.P. technology is adapted to deliver potent actives such as salmon PDRN, SOD Antioxidant Complex™, botanical cell extracts and others that have proven to promote hair growth.

What about DNA Activator?

Just like the S.E.P. Activator treatment, the DNA Activator also leverages on advanced technology to give your scalp the boost it needs to grow healthier hair. Unlike the S.E.P. Activator, this treatment is recommended for those experiencing thinning hair and milder types of hair loss.

Using a combination of ionthoporesis and ionization, essentially painless pulses vibrating on the scalp to promote the scalp’s substance absorption, the treatment also gives you the benefits of a well-balanced scalp pH that reduces scalp discomfort such as oily, dry or itchy scalp. This promotes a healthier scalp, which is important to have healthy hair growth.

Consult a hair loss specialist and get an assessment

Results may vary from individual to individual as there are many different causes of hair loss. What works for one person may not necessarily provide you with similar results, and you may require more than 1 type of treatment to help you resolve your hair loss problems.

However, a thorough consultation with medical professionals or hair and scalp specialists can be helpful in determining a suitable treatment plan for you and get you on the right track towards healthier, fuller hair.

Schedule a consultation with our scalp specialists today.