Hair loss in women can happen for different reasons. Here are some common ones:

Family History: If a woman's relatives, like mom or grandma, have had hair loss, it might happen to her, too. It is called female pattern baldness. It affects up to 30% of the female population (Salman, 2017).

Alopecia Areata: This condition happens when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to hair loss.

Telogen Effluvium: This is a temporary condition in which there is excessive hair shedding due to stress or hormonal disturbances (Hughes, 2023).

Pregnancy: A woman who gets pregnant might grow more hair because of hormones. However, some of that extra hair will fall out after giving birth.

Menopause: During menopause, female hormones decrease, and the hair starts thinning.

Stress: Feeling stressed for a long time can make a person lose more hair.

Traction alopecia: Wearing tight hairstyles, like ponytails, often pulls the hair and makes it fall out. This is called traction alopecia.

Diet: Eating healthy is important for hair, too. Not getting enough nutrients like vitamin D, B7, or iron can cause hair to thin or fall out (Williams, 2022).

Making an accurate diagnosis before treating hair loss is crucial, as it ensures the treatment plan is tailored to the specific type and cause of hair loss an individual is experiencing. Without a proper diagnosis, treatment might not only be ineffective but could also exacerbate the problem.

Depending on the diagnosis, women's hair loss solutions can include topical hair solutions like Minoxidil (Rogaine®), Niacinamide or Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP). In some cases, women can be good candidates for hair transplants.

The transplant options available for women are:

• Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
• Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)

FUE involves extracting follicular units from the donor area using a micro-punch and micro-forceps. The goal is to detach the follicular unit from its dermo-epidermal attachments while preserving the integrity of the roots.

The surgeon harvests a thin strip of scalp at the occipital level. This strip is located 2 cm below the lower limit of the crown's top and 2 cm above the upper limit of the nape. 

With the long hair graft (FUT-FUL), it is no longer necessary to shave the harvesting area beforehand.

• Patients who refuse extensive shaving of the donor area
• Patients with curly hair, as the strong curvature of the roots under the skin makes their extraction extremely delicate with a significant risk of transections
• Patients with white hair, as it is very difficult to differentiate the emergence of follicular units to be harvested after shaving white hair in the donor area

• Lack of scalp flexibility
  
• Shaved or very short hair, where a strip scar would be noticeable
• Refusal of a linear occipital scar

• Patients who lost hair because of tight hairstyles, also called traction alopecia.
• Patients with androgenetic alopecia.
• Patients who lost hair because of accidents, burns, or chemicals. Prior to a comprehensive treatment plan, a preliminary test involving the implantation of a few hair follicles is recommended. This preliminary step is crucial because hair follicles may not successfully grow on scarred skin.

Yes, if performed by a specialized physician, they last a lifetime. 

Hair transplant surgery offers a promising solution for women experiencing hair loss. However, consulting with a specialist is essential to accurately diagnose the condition and assess the suitability of this surgical option. During the consultation, a thorough evaluation will be conducted to understand the underlying causes of hair loss and to determine if hair transplantation is the most effective treatment. This ensures that patients receive personalized care tailored to their specific needs, optimizing the chances of a successful outcome from the procedure.

Starace, M., Orlando, G., Alessandrini, A., & Piraccini, B. M. (2020). Female Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update on Diagnosis and Management. American journal of clinical dermatology, 21(1), 69–84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-019-00479-x 

Salman, K. E., Altunay, I. K., Kucukunal, N. A., & Cerman, A. A. (2017). Frequency, severity and related factors of androgenetic alopecia in dermatology outpatient clinic: a hospital-based cross-sectional study in Turkey. Anais brasileiros de dermatologia, 92(1), 35–40. https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20175241 

Hughes EC, Saleh D. Telogen Effluvium. [Updated 2023 May 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430848/ 

Williams, B. (n.d.). Which vitamin deficiency actually causes hair loss ... - miiskin. (2022). Miiskin.https://miiskin.com/hair-loss/which-vitamin-deficiency-causes-hair-loss/