Saw Palmetto: Solution to Women’s Hair Loss Woes

It is quite evident that hair loss in women extremely differs from men’s hair loss. The display of hair loss in a man’s head gives specific patterns like the “M” or horseshoe shape and a bald spot on the crown area. Treatments for this are a lot stronger than a hair loss treatment for women.

Hair loss in women, on the other hand, is characterized by a general thinning of the hair which starts at the top or crown area. This appears to be a diffuse thinning of the hair that gradually degrades the density and volume of the hair strands and slowly denudes the scalp. This type of hair loss in females is typically referred to as female pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia). Female pattern hair loss is proven to be genetic and can be inherited from both parents.

Women’s hair follicles are genetically vulnerable to a by-product of the hormone testosterone called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which causes the hair follicles to shed the normal amount of hair and create shorter, thinner, and lifeless hair. Over time, these hairs become invisible (peach fuzz), making the hair fall off from the scalp, causing permanent hair loss or baldness.

Female pattern hair loss may start as early as puberty. Hormonal disorder is also a culprit of hair loss in some women, particularly the older ones. Hair loss treatments for women come in different varieties as causes of hair loss in women are tangled with several factors such as post pregnancy, elevated physical and emotional stress, crash diets, inconsistent use of birth control pills, drugs, and strong medications.

Treatment for female pattern hair loss often starts with a topical solution that contains minoxidil 2 per cent, depending on the severity of the condition. Others endure severe hair loss and they are advised to use the stronger concentration which is the 5 per cent minoxidil topical solution.

However, there are common side effects that can inevitably occur upon using this treatment. Side effects include scalp itching, swelling, and redness of the site. Dermatologists and hair care experts are now recommending herbal and natural treatments to their patients.

Natural preparations that contain saw palmetto extracts are highly recognized all over the world as the most efficient male and female hair loss treatment. Saw palmetto is a proven potent DHT inhibitor which is good for genetic balding in both men and women. Saw palmetto blocks the DHT activity in the scalp and stimulates hair regrowth significantly without a single side effect.