Female Hair Loss
Hair Loss in Women
Hair loss in women is a much more multi-factorial condition than in men. What this means is that there are a larger number of causes that can often work together to result in excessive hair fall and thinning. Different causes of hair loss in women are associated with different age groups.
Common causes of hair loss in women include female pattern hair loss also known as androgenic alopecia, telogen effluvium (stress induced hair loss), hair loss associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (due to higher levels of circulating testosterone) as well hair loss due to common supplemental losses such as low iron (due to heavy periods and/or poor dietary intake) and low vitamin D. Under active thyroid is also associated with increased hair fall. Women are especially prone to hair fall immediately after giving birth and whilst breastfeeding. During menopause and afterwards there can be significant, often reversible, hair fall due to reduced levels of oestrogen and progesterone.
In addition excessive use of relaxers followed by heavy extensions, braids and hair pieces can be associated with traction alopecia and characteristic loss of hair in the hair line. With such a large number of possible causes it is important to have a thorough clinical assessment prior to planning out a treatment regime and this can include blood tests and even a scalp biopsy.
What treatments are available at Rejuvence for hair loss?
There are a large number of treatment options for hair loss for both men and women. Treatments and their success depends upon the underlying cause of hair loss. Taking into account that hair loss in women is often multifactorial it is important to consider a combination of treatments as opposed to relying solely on any single treatment.
With supplemental losses being more common in women than men we strongly recommend all women consider a good vitamin supplement. We recommend vitamin supplementation with our Replenology range. Restoration of Vitamin D and Iron levels amongst other vitamins and minerals can have a significant impact on hair fall in a wide range of cases.
Established first line treatments for female pattern hair loss include Minoxidil Foam or tablets. DHT blockers are contraindicated in women, especially those who are pre-menopausal (of child-bearing age). As an alternative to conventional DHT blockers a class of medication known as anti-androgens has been shown to be effective in the treatment of female pattern hair loss especially when combined with minoxidil. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has also been shown to help. For more extensive hair loss some women may wish to consider a FUE hair transplant but this should really be considered the last option. At Rejuvence our resident hair transplant specialist Dr Waqas Chaudhary offers FUE Hair Transplants.
Plasma Therapy has emerged over the last 5 years as a very promising treatment for hair loss with many patients showing significant reduction in hair fall, and even significant increases in new hair growth. However, the effectiveness of plasma therapy is specifically dependent upon cellular concentration levels, viability and purity of the serum. At Rejuvence we are able to offer advanced plasma therapy options – Magellan™ and Angel Arthrex™. We also have an entry level option – Neogenesis.
Exosomes are a potential breakthrough treatment option in the fight against female pattern hair loss. Exosomes are small packets of proteins and growth factors that are produced and released by all cells. Scientists are now able to grow exosomes in the lab and store them for use in the treatment of hair loss. When combined with microneedling they are absorbed by cells of the scalp easily and can trigger regeneration and growth of hair follicles. At Rejuvence Clinic we are now able to offer E50 Exosome treatments alongside a painless and more effective delivery method – Target Cool.
Is hair transplant an option for female pattern hair loss?
Hair transplants in women are much harder than in men and should be considered a treatment of last resort. At best they are a camouflage solution as even the largest of hair transplants consist of grafting 3000 hairs into regions of the scalp that previously had around 20000 to 30000 hairs. In addition hair transplant in women is technically much more difficult. There are two techniques used for hair transplant. The strip method is the old fashioned technique whereby a strip of skin is taken from the back of the head and all the hairs removed from this strip are implanted into bare areas. It is possible to get a larger number of grafts but often leaves an unsightly scar at the back of the head. In women this is not too troublesome as the scar is often hidden by longer strands of hair as opposed to men who tend to have the scar exposed due to shorter hair cuts. However, graft rate survival is lower than in the more modern technique of FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). In FUE individual hair follicles are extracted and implanted into bare regions. Graft survival rates are higher and there is no large scar involved. However, FUE requires that the donor region is shaved in order to access the follicles to be grafted. This area is normally quite large and not something most women are prepared to do as they will have to shave a large area of their scalp. Results of hair transplants in women are overall not as good as in men.
©Individual results may vary.
Exosomes for hair loss - A new BREAK THROUGH treatment for hair loss!
Exosomes are a new break through treatment alternative for hair loss. Exosomes are produced by almost all cells in the body. They are essentially small packets released by cells containing a variety of proteins, growth factors, specific genetic material called RNA and mRNA as well as signalling molecules. These packets have a ‘lipid bilayer’ wall and are extremely small. This means they are easily absorbed by surrounding cells and able to easily deliver their contents. Cells of particular organs produce specific types of exosomes. Exosomes are capable of promoting tissue regeneration, new blood vessel development as well as having anti-inflammatory properties. When specific types of exosomes are delivered to the scalp they can initiate new hair growth.
Where do Exosomes come from?
Exosomes are generally obtained from three main sources. They can be derived from plants, animals or humans. Ideally, the science suggests that the most effective exosomes are likely to be derived from humans and specifically from stem cells in the umbilical cord or mesenchymal stem cells. These stem cells have the greatest ability to remodel into any other cell and hence likely to produce exosomes that are the most versatile. At present there are a number of groups in South Korea and the United States that have successfully mass produced human derived exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells and are trialing these in a multitude of medical conditions. However, all human derived products including exosomes are banned in the UK and Europe and hence not available. Plant derived exosomes and animal derived exosome products are available on the market and are approved for use in the UK. They have also been shown to be effective in a variety of conditions including hair loss.
E50 Exosome Hair Loss Treatment at Rejuvence
E50™ Exosomes are derived from salmon testes. Salmon testes are known for their purified DNA and are an excellent source for exosomes safe for human use. E50 exosomes are specifically engineered to contain growth factors and proteins that are able to help with androgenic alopecia. Specifically E50 Exosomes have a number of effects oh hair including the promotion and differentiation of hair follicle stem cells in the bulge cells of the hair follicle as well as the dermal papilla and outer root sheath. E50 also helps to reduce the telogen (resting) phase of the hair cycle and extend the anagen (growing) phase of the hair cycle thereby partially reversing the miniaturisation effects of male and female pattern hair loss. E50 exosomes also have a positive impact on the extracellular environment of the hair follicles improving conditions for hair growth as well as having potentially anti-inflammatory effects.
The treatment is carried out in conjunction with microneedling. Initially the scalp is treated with a microneedling device and the E50 exosome is subsequently massaged into the scalp. It is regarded as a cosmetic product and hence not approved for injection into the skin although this has been shown to be completely safe. E50 is most effective when combined with microneedling. The application of E50 can be combined with plasma therapy or as a standalone treatment. When used as a standalone treatment it is recommended that the treatment be repeated 5 times at 1 month intervals followed by maintenance treatments twice a year.
At Rejuvence we are excited by the potential of this treatment especially in conjunction with both Magellan and Angel Arthrex. Book a consultation now by calling 02075316600 or contacting us on WhatsApp.
Conventional treatments for female pattern hair loss are not very effective. Response to the minoxidil 5% shampoo and foam are effective but the results are not normally apparent for at least 3 to 6 months of continuous use. There can be an increase in hair loss during the first four weeks of treatment but this settles down. Minoxidil tablets are an excellent alternative to Minoxidil foam with very good results. At Rejuvence Clinic we can advise and prescribe Minoxidil tablets for a variety of types of female hair loss.
Conventional DHT blockers used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss is contraindicated in women of child bearing age due to a potential negative impact on fertility. However, anti-androgen medication has been found to be an alternative. Ant-androgen medication is thought to help prevent the binding of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with androgen receptor and this in return reduces the production of sebum and miniaturisation of hair follicles seen in female pattern hair loss. Indeed results are better when combined with oral minoxidil as well as our Replenology Supplement Range. Book a consultation to find out more.
Thousands of vitamin supplements are available but do they really work? Female pattern hair loss does not have as strong a genetic component as male pattern hair loss. Indeed telogen effluvium (hair loss due to stress) is much more common in women than men and can often be confused with female pattern hair loss. Other medical causes of hair loss play a much larger role in hair loss in women than men. An underactive thyroid, low vitamin D levels and low iron levels are well known causes of hair loss and much more common in women. Hence supplements often work much better for female pattern hair loss than male pattern hair loss. At Rejuvence we strongly recommend all our female clients start the Replenology range.
At Rejuvence we offer intravenous vitamin drips tailored to specific needs. Our Hair Boost Drip consists of a combination of vitamins and biotin and can help improve the quality of your existing hair as well as improve hair loss. Having vitamin supplements in the form of a drip ensure that very high concentrations can be achieved in the blood stream compared with just having tablets. High concentrations mean better results. At Rejuvence we ensure that all our drips are safe.
Microneedling and plasma therapy is fast emerging as an effective treatment for androgenic alopecia especially suited to the treatment of male pattern hair loss. Studies published to date have included both males and females suffering with hair loss and demonstrated significant gains of almost 10 to 15% in hair thickness and hair density following an average of three treatment sessions over three months. Plasma treatments are very well tolerated in men and do not involve a lengthy invasive procedure. The treatment can also be targeted to specific sparser areas of the scalp leaving thick healthy hairs untouched.
However, not all plasma treatments are the same!
Numerous clinics in the UK and abroad provide plasma treatments for hair loss. It is important to understand that you get what you pay for. Plasma therapy for hair loss has been found to be effective only when the concentration is approximately 4 to 5 times normal baseline. More or less than this renders the plasma less effective. The vast majority of clinics offering plasma therapy in the UK use test tube based systems. It is well documented that these systems can only achieve concentrations of up to 2 times baseline. Often it can be much less than this. At Rejuvence we are able to offer our clients the Magellan™ and Angel Arthrex™ systems. Both result in high quality appropriately concentrated plasma that can really deliver excellent results. Angel Arthrex is able to customise cellular content to yield a more anti-inflammatory plasma serum that can be especially helpful in Alopecia Areata. Please contact us to book a consultation.
At Rejuvence we go a step further than the rest! We are one of the first few clinics in the UK that offer fat cell based biocellular hair loss treatments. Treatment of hair loss with nanofat goes a step further than plasma therapy alone. Recent advances in minimally invasive liposuction have shown that by filtering (micronizing) your own fat, it is possible to tap into a rich source of progenitor cells and growth factors. The difference between plasma therapy and nanofat treatments is that plasma is used as a chemical messenger to attract cells and growth factors to the region of interest. With biocellular treatments, nanofat is directly injected into the region of interest. This is clearly going to yield better results and many hair transplant surgeons in the US and around the world have started incorporating micronized fat into their transplant regimes with very promising results. At Rejuvence Clinic we combine Magellan™ with micronized fat to give you a biorestorative hair loss treatment that can give you the best results possible for hair loss. For further details please look at our page on Biocellular Hair Restoration. Please contact us for a consultation.
REPLENOLOGY Hair Supplements - Replenishment & Nourishment
REPLENOLOGY Hair is a four part natural system formulated for use by both women and men to fully replenish nutrients that are lacking when experiencing hair loss and that are necessary for healthy hair. These nutrients target 21 causes of hair loss and support normal scalp & intrinsic hair functions along with providing cosmetic benefit to protect and improve the look of healthy and fuller hair. The Replenology Hair Daily Dietary Supplement can be combined with Replenology Daily Shampoo and Daily Conditioner. In addition the Daily Advanced Follicle Nutriment is a topical product that can be applied to specific patches of hair loss in much the same way as topical Minoxidil.
Replenology Hair works by replenishing nutrients in the hair follicles that have been depleted due to ageing, diet, hormonal changes, environmental effects, certain medication and long term exposure to chemical ingredients in some hair products.
What are the benefits of Replenology?
Replenology Hair has been formulated to target 21 known causes of hair loss and shown to replenish nutrients in the hair follicles that are not normally found in a regular diet and hair care products, including natural stilbenes, wedelolactones, procyanidins. Replenology Hair is not a drug with associated potential side effects.
When will I see results? Replenology Hair begins working for you on the 1st day of use and you may see results as early as 4 to 8 weeks after commencing daily use. However, it may take 4 to 6 months to notice an effect. This will depend on how depleted the nutrients are in each individual and other overall health factors. You may notice a reduction in hair fall within 4 to 8 weeks followed by fuller and healthier looking hair on the scalp within 4 to 6 months. Once you begin using the Replenology Hair four part system you may experience an improvement in your wellbeing and energy levels due to the multiple vitamins, minerals and botanicals, that are rich in nutrients, amino acids and antioxidants, found in each of the Replenology Hair products. An improvement in the overall condition of your scalp and hair may also be experienced due to the nourishment that Replenology Hair will provide for you. The gentle but powerful ingredients will also protect your hair against the effects of everyday pollution and ultraviolet exposure.
Does Replenology actually work?
Replenology is a novel botanical natural product treatment for male and female pattern hair loss. A recent multi-author study (systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis) comparing improvements in hair growth across the main non-surgical hair loss treatments for male and female pattern hair loss including minoxidil, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), DHT blockers and Viviscal™. Replenology supplements demonstrated a statistically significant increase in terminal hair density in men and women that was greater than that observed for other treatment modalities included in the study. Women were found to have an accelerating terminal hair regrowth rate between 3 months and 6 months. Replenology did not demonstrate any signs of resistance whereas resistance was evident in all other treatment regimens. The study concluded that a multi-targeting treatment approach is required and that Replenology combined with other treatments such as plasma therapy show potential promise. However, statistical evidence of a superior response with Replenology compared to other more established non-surgical hair loss treatments does not mean it should completely replace minoxidil, and/or anti-androgens.
At Rejuvence Clinic we stock Replenology products and specifically sell the Professional Grade Supplement. For further details on the Replenology product line and whether it could benefit you in your battle against hair loss call us on 0207 531 6600 or WhatsApp us.
PEP Factor Scalp
PEPFactor™ Scalp is a mesotherapy product developed by ReGen Factor – Australia. It is enriched with copper peptide, antioxidants and specifically bio-identical Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF). Pepfactor promotes natural hair regrowth by stimulating collagen, skin and scalp regeneration alongside hair follicle regeneration.
Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) promote hair growth by triggering the anagen (growth) phase in resting hair follicles. Topical administration of fibroblast growth factors encourages an earlier anagen phase and subsequently prolongs the growing phase in the hair cycle – the same mechanism by which the majority of non-surgical hair loss treatments work.
Copper peptides are a naturally occurring copper complex and more recently has become a key ingredient of some high-end anti-ageing skin care products. It supports the production of collagen and elastin and helps with repair of damaged tissue alongside antioxidant qualities. In the case of hair loss, copper peptides can stimulate the activity of hair follicles by again prolonging the anagen phase and accelerating the transition out of telogen (resting) phase.
What can PEPFactor Scalp do for my hair?
The key to success with PEPFactor™ is the unique combination of copper peptides and basic fibroblast growth factor. Together they can stimulate hair growth by prolonging the anagen phase of hair growth and promote cell proliferation and tissue repair. The combination of copper peptides and basic fibroblast growth factor contribute to healing and repair of the scalp – this can be a key factor in certain scalp conditions including psoriasis that can also be associated with significant shedding and subsequent hair loss. Both promote angiogenesis – the formation of new blood vessels. It is generally accepted that a reduction in scalp blood supply likely contributes to the development of male and female pattern hair loss. Finally copper peptides in tandem with fibroblast growth factor have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
PEPFactor at Rejuvence
At Rejuvence Clinic we are able to offer PEPFactor Scalp as a treatment in combination with one of our plasma systems or as a stand-alone treatment option. We normally recommend incorporating at least one session of plasma therapy with PEPFactor Scalp and have seen significant improvements in hair regrowth. We also recommend incorporating it with our maintenance plasma protocols. PEPFactor is administered topically onto the scalp following thorough scalp microneedling. Using the new Target Cool system it is possible to administer PEPFactor into the superficial dermis of the scalp without any pain and in higher concentrations than possible with dermaroller. PEPFactor is approved for use in the UK as a Cosmetic Product for topical application with microneedling/dermaroller. Hair Loss treatment success is dependent upon using a combination of treatment approaches to tackle a multi-factorial problem.
Rejuvence Philosophy
All hope is not lost for those suffering from female pattern hair loss. Microneedling and plasma therapy have shown great promise and we are firm believers in its efficacy. With the majority of sufferers of androgenic alopecia being male, often women are forgotten. At Rejuvence we recognise that hair loss in women can often have greater psychological distress. Biocellular hair restoration is an exciting new development and Rejuvence Clinic is one of the few clinics offering this treatment.
Book a consultation with us to explore treatment options and potential combinations using tried and tested FDA approved medication protocols as well as cutting edge treatments such as Exosomes.
