I’ve started losing my hair (breakage) due to a bad perm. On the sides of my head and in top. At first I thought it was female pattern hair loss, but then I have lots of new growth. Can you have female pattern hair loss and new growth at the same time? Oh and by the way, I’m also thinking of trying aphogee hair products. If anyone has heard of it, let me know.

A hair grows from its follicle at an average rate of about 1/2 inch per month. Each hair grows for 2 to 6 years, then rests, and then falls out. A new hair soon begins growing in its place. At any time, about 85% of the hair is growing and 15% is resting.
Baldness occurs when hair falls out but new hair does not grow in its place. The cause of the failure to grow new hair in female pattern baldness is not well understood, but it is associated with genetic predisposition, aging, and levels of endocrine hormones (particularly androgens, the male sex hormones).
Changes in the levels of androgens can affect hair production. For example, after the hormonal changes of menopause, many women find that the hair on the head is thinned, while facial hair is coarser. Although new hair is not produced, follicles remain alive, suggesting the possibility of new hair growth.

Female pattern baldness is usually different from that of male pattern baldness. The hair thins all over the head, but the frontal hairline is maintained. There may be a moderate loss of hair on the crown, but this rarely progresses to total or near baldness as it may in men.
Hair loss can occur in women for reasons other than female pattern baldness, including the following:

• Temporary shedding of hair (telogen effluvium)
• Breaking of hair (from such things as styling treatments and twisting or pulling of hair)
• Patchy areas of total hair loss (alopecia areata — an immune disorder causing temporary hair loss)
• Medications
• Certain skin diseases
• Hormonal abnormalities
• Iron deficiency
• Underactive thyroid
• Vitamin deficiency

Symptoms
Thinning of hair over the entire head
Hair loss at the crown or hairline, mild to moderate

Exams and Tests
Female pattern baldness is usually diagnosed based on the appearance and pattern of hair loss and by ruling out other causes of hair loss.
A skin biopsy or other procedures may be used to diagnose medical disorders that cause loss of hair.
Analysis of the hair itself is not accurate for diagnosing nutritional or similar causes of hair loss, although it may reveal substances such as arsenic or lead.

Treatment
The hair loss of female pattern baldness is permanent. In most cases, it is mild to moderate. No treatment is required if the person is comfortable with her appearance.

The only drug or medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat female pattern baldness is minoxidil, used on the scalp. For women, the 2% concentration is recommended. Minoxidil may help hair to grow in 20% to 25% of the female population, and in the majority it may slow or stop the loss of hair. Treatment is expensive, however, and hair loss starts again when minoxidil use is stopped.

Hair transplants consist of removal of tiny plugs of hair from areas where the hair is continuing to grow and placing them in areas that are balding. This can cause minor scarring in the donor areas and carries a modest risk for skin infection. The procedure usually requires multiple transplantation sessions and may be expensive. Results, however, are often excellent and permanent.
The use of hair implants made of artificial fibers was banned by the FDA because of the high rate of infection.
Stitching (suturing) hair pieces to the scalp is not recommended. It can result in scars, infections, and abscess of the scalp.
Hair weaving, hairpieces, or change of hairstyle may disguise hair loss and improve cosmetic appearance. This is often the least expensive and safest method of dealing with female pattern baldness.

Outlook (Prognosis)
Female pattern baldness is of cosmetic importance only and does not indicate a medical disorder, but it may affect self-esteem or cause anxiety. The hair loss is usually permanent.

Possible Complications
Complications are psychological stress and a loss of self-esteem due to change in appearance.
When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top
Call your health care provider if hair loss occurs and persists, especially if there is itching, skin irritation, or other symptoms. There might be a treatable medical cause for the loss of hair.

Prevention
There is no known prevention for female pattern baldness.

Olivia Rusk lost all of her hair at age two, just after she had her childhood vaccines. Although her hair grew back by the time Olivia turned four, she recently lost all her hair again and this time it wasn’t just the hair on her head. Her eyebrows and eyelashes fell out too.

Olivia suffers from alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that can cause rapid and severe hair loss. Little is known about this disease and there is no known cure. Treatments may work but are unreliable. Most people who suffer from alopecia wear wigs or hairpieces to hide their hair loss.

But not eleven-year-old Olivia Rusk. Olivia has chosen to go “el natural” and hasn’t let hair loss interfere with her self-esteem or her life. In fact, Olivia has already launched a successful career. She was recently chosen to be a kid caster on Radio Disney, an opportunity that Olivia is very excited about.

“They interviewed me about my story and … they just loved me so much that they said, would you like to be a kid caster? And I was like, uh yeah, Radio Disney!”

She’s also worked as a model and together with her mom, Sandy Rusk, has launched an innovative t-shirt company called What Do You See Designs. Each t-shirt features an ink blot and the phrase “What do you see?” The designs represent the way people see things differently, especially when they look at bald people.

Olivia is often asked whether she’s suffering from some form of cancer, but she states “I’m not sick. I just lose all my hair.”

Recently, White Cliffs Hair Studio, a company that manufactures hair systems, has asked Olivia to be their national spokesmodel, presenting yet another opportunity for her to seize and be proud of.

Most adults suffering from hair loss could learn a lot from Olivia’s upbeat and positive attitude. Olivia puts it succinctly, stating that hair loss doesn’t matter because she likes herself just the way she is — wise words for someone who is just eleven years old.

Olivia’s mom is a huge supporter. She is involved with the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (www.naaf.org) and works as the support group leader in Indiana, working to raise awareness about alopecia.

Olivia’s story will inspire you whether or not you too are coping with hair loss. We could all take a cue from Olivia’s positive attitude.

Check out this YouTube video featuring Olivia being interviewed on a local television station:

Alocepia