I receive more emails with questions about female hair loss and thinning hair than I do about anything else, I think. The topic is a painful one to write about and certainly to experience – and I’ve done both. I have Alopecia areata and noticed my first “spot” when I was in my late 30s. It was found by my hair stylist who, as I was sitting in his chair having my wet hair styled, bent forward and whispered, “Love, you have a spot.” My brain didn’t compute what he was saying and he repeated it adding, “It’ll be fine. I see it often. Make an appointment with your dermatologist and it’ll be taken care of.” The salon was full, crowded with women who were happily chatting away about the occasions in their lives. I picked up snippets of conversations about weddings, babies, anniversaries, vacations but, when my stylist whispered those words into my ear, everyone and everything receded into the background, like in a movie. I insisted that he show me the spot. It was about the size of a dime, just above my left ear. It was an absolute shock to see a perfectly round, perfectly bald spot in my head of dark brown hair and I began to cry quietly in his chair, aware that I was drawing attention to myself but unable to stop. I’d always been so proud of my hair. It was long, silky and fine, although there was a lot of it. I’ve never been good at styling my hair but it didn’t really matter because my hair sort of styled itself. I simply washed it and then threw my head upside down and blow dried my hair. Easy. But all of that was about to change.
I called my dermatologist, Dr. Michael Tomeo, the minute I got home and scheduled an appointment to see him. He began a regimen of steroid shots into the spot which, quickly, had grown to be the size of a half dollar. A half dollar! I watched my hair fall out daily and would find long hairs on my pillow when I awoke, in my food, on my clothing. It was everywhere. With Alopecia areata, which is characterized by round bald spots, inflammation prevents hair follicles from growing. Steroid shots reduce the inflammation and allow the hair to grow back. From what I understand, it almost always works – and it did in my case. I received numerous shots monthly and I think it was at about the six month mark that new growth began to fill in the spot. Once the hair began to grow, the process was relatively quick and I stopped receiving shots after eight months. I adore Dr. Tomeo but I sincerely hoped to not have to see him again anytime soon. Sadly, this was not to be. My second spot, which I found myself, was on the right side below my ear. I suffered the shots for another eight months as the spot filled in.
I can barely describe the emotions I felt as I began to lose my hair. I know it’s not the worst thing in the world. I know, and feel awful for people who are sick with serious illnesses that far eclipse my hair loss – but I am not going to apologize or be made to feel guilty for bemoaning the, thus far, temporary loss of my hair. It is an awful feeling to helplessly watch as your hair falls out. I was able to hide my spots with artful styling but whenever a breeze would blow, or I’d move my head a certain way, I became self-conscious. I started to wear hats, to hold my hand over the spot whenever I’d walk outside in case the wind whipped up. In addition to the hair on my head, I lost the middle section of the eyelashes on my right eye, the middle of both eyebrows and, I swear it wasn’t my imagination, the hair on one leg. It all grew back and I now can tell when I am in an “alopecia phase.” The first hairs to go are my eyelashes and eyebrows. And then comes the hair on my head. The hair loss gets so bad that if I don’t unclog my drain several times during a shower, I will surely drown as the water fills up. That’s an exaggeration, of course, but I’m not exaggerating when I say that losing my hair makes me feel ugly, unfeminine, insecure and terribly sad. And again, I know there are many worse things that happen to people.
I’ve had several spots since then. My most recent one happened last spring. And, again, it was found by my stylist. Dr. Tomeo began the regimen of monthly steroid shots but this particular spot was in the lower right area of my scalp. It was in such a sensitive location that the shots were barely tolerable and I stopped them after six months. My hair had begun to grow back but had not completely filled in the spot when I stopped the shots. I think I have a relatively high pain tolerance level but the shots were too much for me to handle. Fortunately, my hair grew back. But, experience has taught me that I may get another spot. Alopecia areata is often connected with autoimmune thyroid disease and I have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the autoimmune type of hypothyroidism. For whatever reason it happens, it happens and I have learned to handle each succeeding spot better than the first one. But the process is emotionally and physically painful.
Writing this has been difficult. I didn’t set out to write about my personal experience with hair loss. This was meant to be an article by Dr. Doris Day, celebrity dermatologist who practices in New York City. I’ve seen her on various television shows and have read her articles in various magazines. So I am going to turn this over to her as she imparts her immense knowledge on treating thinning hair. Thank you, Dr. Doris Day!
Celebrity dermatologist, Dr. Doris Day specializes in treating hair loss and is an expert in the fields of laser, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Located on the Upper East Side in New York City, Dr. Day is affiliated with Lenox Hill Hospital and is a member of many relevant national and international organizations including the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, American Academy of Dermatology and the Women’s Dermatologic Society among others.
“Hair thinning is not uncommon for women and a normal part of the aging process,” says Dr. Day. “Up to 42 percent of women will suffer from hereditary hair loss in her lifetime.”
“The hair loss and regrowth journey is highly emotional for women,” says Dr. Day. “Women can experience shame and even depression when experiencing hair loss.”
An expert in treating thinning hair and hair loss, Dr. Day offers the following advice to her female clients with thin or thinning hair:
Tips for Recognizing Thinning Hair
There are three types of hair loss:
Hereditary hair loss is a common condition caused by some combination of genetics, hormone levels and the aging process. Women with hereditary hair loss usually have a family history of hair loss and experience a general thinning of the hair, with the most extensive hair loss occurring on the top of the head and along the part.
Telogen Effluvium (temporary hair loss) can be triggered by hormonal changes after pregnancy, and other major stressors such as crash dieting and certain medications. Unlike hereditary hair loss, this condition is a temporary hair shedding rather than permanent hair loss, and hair will typically grow back on its own within three to four months.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes well-defined patches of hair loss and in rare cases can lead to total hair loss.
“The onset of female pattern hair loss can start as early as puberty and her 20s and becomes more common with age.”
“Hair loss can come from either the mother or father’s side of the family and when left untreated, hair thinning can worsen over time.”
“The pattern seen in female pattern hair loss differs from male pattern hair loss. Women experience a general thinning of the hair, with the most extensive hair loss occurring on the top of their head and along the part. This often resembles an evergreen tree pattern.”
“Most people lose between 50 to 100 hairs a day, which are normally replaced with new hairs. A loss of 150 hairs or more is considered significant hair loss. If you start to notice more hair than usual on your pillow, in your hair brush or in the shower drain, these could be signs of hair loss.”
“There is a difference between hair loss and damaged hair, including shedding, split ends and breakage. If you run your fingers through your hair and notice hair falling out with the root attached, this is considered true hair loss.”
“Volumizing and thickening products and hair extensions may temporarily help hair to appear thicker, but will not actually regrow hair. To regrow hair, you must begin using a treatment like FDA-approved Women’s ROGAINE® 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol.”
Tips for Using Women’s ROGAINE® 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol
“Women’s ROGAINE® 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol is a once daily foam formula. It’s fragrance free and works at the follicles to re-grow hair. The elegant foam formula includes an enhanced biodelivery system that breaks down with body heat to deposit the medication on the scalp.”
“Clinical studies show that with once daily use of Women’s ROGAINE® 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol for 24 weeks, 81 percent of women regrew hair, with initial results as early as 12 weeks and new hairs coming in up to 48 percent thicker than before.”
“Unlike cosmetic thickeners which just coat hair and temporarily mask the issue, Women’s ROGAINE® 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol helps prevent further thinning by stimulating the follicle and regrowing thicker hair.”
“It is not uncommon to see a temporary increase in shedding during the first two weeks when using this product. As new hair begins to grow, old hairs are shed, a bit like losing baby teeth to make room for adult teeth. Do not panic, this increase in shedding is only temporary and should subside within a couple of weeks with continued treatment and, it is actually a good sign that indicates the product is working!”
“Women’s ROGAINE® 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol once daily foam is a quick and simple addition to your morning or evening beauty regimen. Apply the product by gently massaging it into your scalp, and let dry completely.”
“Compliance is key so it is extremely important to continue use of Women’s ROGAINE® 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol once daily, every day to maintain results.”
How-to-Apply Women’s ROGAINE® 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol
Step 1: “Rinse your hands in cool water to prevent your natural body heat from melting the foam.”
Step 2: “Part your hair to better expose the top of the scalp.”
Step 3: “Pump half of a capful of product onto a non-porous surface and take a little bit at a time and massage the formula into your scalp starting from the back and working your way towards your forehead. Make sure to apply the product directly to your scalp and not to your hair so that it can get to your hair follicles to help regrow your hair.”
Step 4: “Wash your hands, let your scalp dry and continue styling your hair as usual. It is really that easy. By spending less than a minute each day applying the formula you can receive maximum results.”
Women’s ROGAINE® 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol is available nationwide at food, drug and mass retailers, or online at http://www.womensrogaine.com or get it here in either a two or four month supply.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
What You Need to Know About Hair Loss: Q & A with Dermatologist Dr. Michael Tomeo
Hair Styling Tips from Kerastase
the more women talk about hair loss, the more understanding will come and the less of a “secret” abet a painful one. One lady that besides her wonderful makeup line that is know for her glorious head of hair is Mally Roncal, and she just recently opened up about her hair loss due to Alopecia in her new book .- Very brave for anyone to come forward. Also Dr Day stating 50-100 hairs a day is normal is so important for people to remember so not to blame any one product for normal daily loss.
Debra, thank you for your positive and supportive comment. I met Mally Roncal when I did the QVC Makeover show several years ago. She is, in person, exactly as she is on TV – charming, lovely, nice and funny. I’m sorry to hear about her Alopecia. It seems like a minor thing – happily, we’re not sick – but it’s emotionally wrenching to lose one’s hair. Yes, Dr. Day’s advice was great. Normal hair loss happens. And, if you don’t wash your hair everyday and remove the ones that fall out naturally, you will see more hairs in the drain and brush when you do wash it. That’s important to remember too. Again, thanks for your comment! xo, Melody