Female Pattern Hair Loss Treatment

Dr. Diane M. Hoss, MD discusses Female Pattern Hair Loss Treatment. See more at http://www.dermnet.com PLEASE RATE AND

COMMENT!!!
Topical minoxidil is the treatment of choice for FPHL. Start therapy with 2 % minoxidil twice daily. It is important to

counsel the patient as to the proper method for application. The solution needs to be applied to the scalp (not just the

hair!) in the areas of thinning. This can be accomplished by parting the hair and using a dropper or applying the solution

with a large Q-tip. Most women do not like using the rolling applicator currently attached to the brand name product

(Rogaine). The hair should be dry or mainly dry to avoid diluting the medication. The second application of the day should

be performed at least 2 hours before bedtime to avoid getting the minoxidil on the pillowcase with subsequent transfer to the

face (and the risk of increased facial hair). Application just after dinnertime is often convenient for the patient and easy

to remember.




The main side effects with 2 % minoxidil are scalp irritation and increased facial hair, both of which

occur in about 5% of patients. True contact allergy to minoxidil is uncommon and occurs in <1% of patients. If

irritation occurs, a trial of a preparation of propylene glycol (PG)-free minoxidil can be beneficial. This can be obtained

from a compounding pharmacy. An initial six month trial of topical 2% minoxidil is given. If there has been no improvement

in the patient's hair loss (determined by measuring part widths or possibly photography), another 6 months of minoxidil

therapy is given. A decision should be made as to whether to continue the 2% solution or increase to the 5% solution.

Patients can definitely respond to the 2% solution during the second 6 months of therapy. However, some patients will

request an increase to the stronger minoxidil.




There are some drawbacks to the stronger solution including worse

irritation, an increased chance of irritation (about 10%) and an increased chance of developing facial hair (about 10%). The

irritation is usually caused by increased amounts of propylene glycol in the 5% product and therefore 5% PG-free minoxidil is

often needed. Additionally, there may be some absorption of the stronger minoxidil and therefore it should not be used in

patients who are pregnant or nursing. The 5% minoxidil solution often feels greasy to women and therefore patients often use

the 2% in the morning and the 5% in the evening. In my experience, approximately 60 to 70% of women with FPHL respond to

minoxidil therapy.




Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved therapy for FPHL and the most beneficial. Other medical therapies

have been tried, but have either not been well-studied or have not shown significant benefit in studies. These include

finasteride, spironolactone, oral contraceptives, cyproterone acetate (not available in the United States) or flutamide.

Hair transplantation plays a role in the treatment of significant FPHL.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Female
• Pattern
• Hair
• Loss
• Treatment
• Cure

[ToffeeChips19]

This stuff does NOT work for alopecia! Trust me I've tried this and nothing changed.

[TractionAlopecia]

Thanks for info

[KokoroAiNeko]

Wow-- I'm 13 and I have baldness. Little patches all over my head.

[tatas192]

where can i buy this product??? please respond!! thank you...

[dorisfh28]

what is the difference between Minoxidil 2% and Minoxidil 5%

[indibabs122275]

im african american and hispanic mixed with heriditary alopecia. i have always had very very long hair. im now 35 but started thinning badly at age 28. rogaine has been a saver. it didn't regrow all, but it did regrow alot. i started using it 2 years ago and the only complaints that i have is the extreme scalp flaking which i combat with tar coal shampoo and 3% salyclic acid solution. both things i get for a few bucks at walmart. $18 for a 3 month supply of their rogaine, vs $49/mo of namebrand

[sona1234ish]

now i am just 23 yrs old.....i cant afford it for life time.....there is any ayurvedic or herbal solution for this........pls reply

[ihatebufferingdammit]

@sona1234ish hi there, minoxidil has to be used for the rest of your life to maintain results. when u discontinue use of the product, your hair starts to fall again, it sorta reverts back to the state it used to be before the use of minoxidil. to maintain your hair regrowth you have to use it consistently.

[sona1234ish]

i have used minoxidile solution but i found that it is effective till we use it & after using for 6 months & when we stopped it ,then i got more hair fall than before......is it a side effect of minoxidile?