How to Cure Female Baldness

Hair loss can affect both men and women. Typically hair loss in a man occurs on the crown of the head and begins as a receding hairline. Women who experience hair loss usually have thinning that is most prominent on the top of the head but can spread to the sides. Women usually do not lose all of their hair but can lose enough to cause embarrassment. Treatment at the first signs of hair loss can begin to slow down or stop the thinning.

Instructions

• 1

  Finding out the cause of your hair loss will point the way toward proper treatment. Several tests can be used to determine the cause. In the pull test, a few dozen hairs are pulled at the same time to see how many come out. Skin scrapings are used to analyze the scalp to rule out infection. In a punch biopsy, a section of skin on the scalp is cut away to identify the layers of skin where the hair loss is occurring. You can also be screened for certain diseases that may cause hair loss. Visit your physician for a proper diagnosis.

• 2

  Nonprescription medications such as minoxidil can be used to treat hair loss. Minoxidil comes in the form of a shampoo, foam or oil and is used on the scalp. With the shampoo, you wash your hair with a quarter-sized amount of shampoo, massage it into the scalp and allow it to remain for 15 minutes before rinsing. With the oil, you also use a quarter-sized amount and massage into the scalp but do not rinse. A small handful of foam is applied in the same way. Women should perform these treatments daily, or the hair loss could begin again.

• 3

  Another option is corticosteroid injections into the scalp. Your physician will give injections monthly. New hair growth can typically be seen one month after the injections begin. Corticosteroids can also be given as a pill or topical ointment. The ointment is rubbed directly on to the patches of scalp several times a day for up to 12 months. Pills such as prednisone, available only by prescription, can also be taken for hair loss and should be taken as exactly as prescribed by your physician.

• 4

  Ask your physician about any medications you are taking that may be causing hair loss. You and your doctor can decide if you should switch medications or discontinue use. If medication is the cause, the hair will begin to slowly grow back when you stop taking it.