Hair Replacement

at 11:55AM, 1:55PM, and 3:55PM

Most people don't associate baldness with women. But, did you know that over 20 million women in the United States are suffering from some type of hair loss? And 40% of them are under age 40!

In our society, men aren't ostracized being bald. Some shave their heads, and others may opt to wear a toupee. But a huge part of a woman's identity and self-esteem is her hair, and losing it can be devastating. So, where can women go for help? Suzanne spoke with Darlene Caracappa from Pennsylvania's Styl-Rama Salon, to find out more about the latest developments in hair replacement therapy.

What Causes Female Pattern Baldness?

Androgenetic Alopecia, or female pattern alopecia, is the most common type of hair loss seen in women. This results in thinning hair all over the top and sides of the head. Although this can begin as early as puberty, it usually begins to occur after menopause.

The main causes of female hair loss are:

--Emotional or physical stress

--Thyroid irregularity

--Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause

--Medications

-Crash diets or eating disorders

The two different types of hair loss are medically known as Anagen Effluvium and Telogen Effluvium. Anagen Effluvium is most commonly experienced after chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatment for cancer. It is the sudden loss of hair as a result of the powerful chemicals or radiation suddenly halting the hair growth cycle. A few weeks after beginning treatment, some or all of a patient's hair may fall out.

Telogen Effluvium is an abnormal loss of hair due to alteration of the normal hair cycle. Hair growth occurs in a cycle that is divided into three phases: growth, regression and resting. Different hairs are in different stages of the cycle at any given time. When telogen effluvium occurs, a greater proportion of the hairs enter the resting phase, instead of the growth stage of the cycle, and hair shedding is greater than normal.

The Solutions

There are several alternatives for women who long for a full head of hair. The severity of the hair loss can dictate which solution will work best.

Transdermal Hair Replacement, or Sensi-Graft, is a non-surgical process where a transparent, skin-like material is created to the exact specifications of the thinning or balding area. The material is attached to the hairless area with a medical grade adhesive. The "new" hair is then implanted into it, to give the appearance of full, thick hair. The hairs will match the color and texture, as well as the pattern, of the existing hair.

This method has accomplished results well beyond the expectations of hair replacement experts for both men and women.No other hair replacement has been so thoroughly formulated, tested or refined.

With Hair Integration, strings of several hairs are glued to existing hair. Hair integration is also used as a special hair replacement made with large openings for pulling the client's own hair through for added fullness. This is used for people whose hair is thinning evenly all around, not in patches. The maintenance for Integration is recommended to be every four to five weeks.