Female hair loss: ISO recommendation for treatment? (Photo)

Question

28 year old female. I have been struggling with hair loss for the last 4/5 years. I go through phases where it gets better and then worse again. It gets a little better when I supplement with vitamin D & biotin. I naturally have really thick hair, and still do! I just have the thinning at the top of my head, and have a really thin and embarrassing part. Would love some recommendations. I don't feel comfortable going the minoxidil route. I have been looking into Spironolactone and PRP.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Thanks for the question. To answer this fully, I would need to know more about your story, and medical history, and to review your scalp up close (ideally with the use of trichoscopy). In a situation like this, androgenetic alopecia is the most likely diagnosis. However, issues like seborrheic dermatitis, and intermittent periods of telogen effluvium need to be fully evaluated. However, I suspect in androgenetic alopecia is the main issue that needs to be addressed. It’s very important for your practitioner to understand why you don’t want to use minoxidil. Certainly not everyone does, and it’s quite reasonable to have that opinion. However, it needs to be explored more fully. Sometimes the reasons that patients don’t want to use minoxidil is not factually accurate. So if there are myths or inaccuracies that preclude someone from using minoxidil, those need to be carefully and thoroughly addressed. There are several options for you to consider including oral minoxidil, spironolactone, PRP, and laser. Do be sure too sit down with an expert to understand the chances of success as the chances of success, with these various modalities differ dramaticall. You will also want to have a good understanding about the use of these treatments. All of these are long term. So if you commit to PRP, you will want to have three or four sessions yearly for the rest of your life. Spironolactone, oral minoxidil and laser are also lifelong. Oral minoxidil and spironolactone would need to be stopped. If you ever were to plan a pregnancy. Low level laser does not need to be stopped during pregnancy. Thank you for your question. I do think the most important thing is for you and your team of healthcare practitioners to review together all of the options and come up with a plan that suits you the best . If there are elements of the break, dermatitis or elements of an ongoing, telogen effluvium, these need to be addressed. However, it would be a big mistake in my opinion to attribute the hair loss shown in these photos to anything, but androgenetic alopecia at this point.

Female hair loss: ISO recommendation for treatment? (Photo)

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Female hair loss: ISO recommendation for treatment? (Photo)

Answers (1)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.