Female-pattern baldness is a pattern of hair loss (alopecia) caused by hormones, aging and genetics. Unlike male-pattern baldness, female-pattern baldness is an over-all thinning which maintains the normal hairline.
Yes. In many cases, receding hairline is indeed reversible. The right treatment for you depends on the cause. “For androgenic alopecia, minoxidil (Rogaine) is the only FDA-approved medical treatment for both men and women,” Krejci says.
One of the most widely used and proven treatments is minoxidil (Rogaine and various generic products). It's available in liquid, foam, or shampoo options. Stronger forms of minoxidil are also available by prescription. Minoxidil may cause side effects like skin irritation or unwanted hair growth on skin near the scalp.
Although minoxidil can cause hair to grow anywhere, it is least effective on frontal baldness. Many users do not experience satisfactory improvements to their frontal baldness from using minoxidil. Minoxidil is most effective in the vertex area, the transition point between the crown and mid-scalp.
Hair can stop growing or grow slowly for a variety of reasons including age, genetics, hormones, or stress. You may notice your hair stops growing in one spot or seems to be growing slowly on one side. There are plenty of treatment options for slow-growing hair, including: medication.
DHT is responsible for shrinking hair follicles to a point where they produce less hair, and eventually, no hair. The hair at the front of head is often the first to be affected, resulting in thinning hair at the front, followed by a receding hairline.
You may be suffering from androgenic alopecia which is also called as pattern baldness. The hairs start reducing in density at the crown (top) and also the hairline starts refeeding from the front. This is usually progressive throughout life unless treated. This may also be accompanied by severe dandruff.
“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and may help in preventing hair shedding and thinning,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.
In general, minoxidil is considered to be capable of growing hair anywhere; however, the region where the medication is least effective is the front of the head. Despite this, some evidence suggests that 5% topical minoxidil foam can be effective for hair regrowth in the frontal region of the scalp.
Rogaine works best in people with hereditary hair loss at the vertex of the scalp (the area at the back of the head, just under the crown) or for women with general thinning of hair on the top of the scalp. However, a 2014 study also showed that it may work for the front of the scalp as well in men.
Minoxidil — the main active ingredient in Rogaine® — is often the go-to answer for those who experience frontal baldness.
When applied to the scalp, the topical solution is absorbed into the skin, where it works in the hair follicle. Researchers believe minoxidil increases how long the follicle is in an active growth phase. This can improve the receding hairline by decreasing hair loss while promoting hair regrowth (Suchonwanit, 2019).
How do you apply minoxidil to your hairline? You can apply minoxidil directly to your hairline as a liquid solution or a foam. Your hair and scalp should be clean and dry, then you rub the minoxidil into the affected areas with your fingers. You typically apply minoxidil twice a day, but always use it as prescribed.
For many women, hair loss happens on the top or the front of the head. Fortunately, minoxidil (Rogaine) can help stop the hair loss in its tracks. In some cases, it can even help regrow new hair. But there are disadvantages to using the medication, which comes as a topical lotion or foam, especially for women.
Topical minoxidil is the only US FDA approved drug for the treatment of female pattern hair loss (FPHL). 5% minoxidil foam is only effective at re-growing hair in a minority of women (approximately 40%). Thus, the majority of FPHL patients remain untreated.
According to experts at Harvard University, finasteride is more effective than minoxidil for the treatment of hair loss. Up to two-thirds of people who use finasteride for male pattern baldness report good results in terms of new hair growth.
There isn't a cure for frontal fibrosing alopecia. But treatments can help to slow its progression. Your healthcare provider may suggest a combination of medications, including: Antibiotics, such as doxycycline or minocycline, to reduce inflammation.
The short answer is, no, your Rogaine treatment is not causing you to lose more hair than before, and it will not make it worse than it would be in the future. To understand why it's not causing your hair loss to get worse, let's take a look at what Rogaine is and how it works.
Minoxidil (brand name Rogaine) starts working within 4–8 weeks, but you probably won't see the full results right away. It can take up to 4–6 months of continuous usage before you see significant improvement in your hair growth (Badri, 2021; Olsen, 2002).
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
Sources of Biotin
Foods that contain the most biotin include organ meats, eggs, fish, meat, seeds, nuts, and certain vegetables (such as sweet potatoes) [2,12].
One serving (100 grams) of banana gives you 0.2 micrograms of biotin. Bananas are highly nutritious in other ways, as well. They contain the vitamin B6, vitamin C, and the minerals manganese, potassium, and magnesium.