Female pattern androgenetic alopecia Treatment

IN LONDON

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DE FELIPE group is an international network of clinics and not all treatments are available at every location. We kindly invite you to contact us to confirm whether the treatment you require is offered at your chosen clinic.

What is ?

Female pattern androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) is a condition in which the hair on the top of the scalp becomes miniaturized or thinner throughout life, evenly distributed across the parietal or upper part of the scalp. This causes a loss of hair density that suggests hair loss, although in reality the change affects the thickness rather than the total number of hairs.

Female pattern androgenetic alopecia is not a disease or disorder but rather a genetic variation that causes people to go bald. This variety primarily affects women and develops throughout life. Some men also develop diffuse pattern baldness on the top of the scalp and are said to have FEMALE PATTERN ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA.

4 out of 10 women worldwide will develop androgenetic alopecia. It is due to a problem in the re-entry of Follicular Stem Cells into the anagenic or growth phase
.

Causes

Androgenetic alopecia can be described as a process in which the hair roots become dormant.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) receptors

Androgenetic alopecia is caused by the action of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the androgen receptors present in some hair follicles. Specifically, the follicles on the «roof» of the head have many more androgen receptors and also synthesize higher amounts of DHT.

This is why some hairs in the occipital or temporal region remain the same thickness, while the hair on the upper part of the scalp gradually thins over the years.

Androgen receptor

In women, the degree of development of androgenetic alopecia depends primarily on the number of androgen receptors and not so much on the amount of DHT, since both DHT and testosterone levels are lower than in men.

For this reason, treatments to reduce DHT are not as effective in women as they are in men, while androgen receptor blockers, such as bicalutamide or spironolactone, which cannot be used in men, are much more effective in women

Clinical Signs

Hair density decreases at the receding hairline, forehead, and crown of the head when the patient is between 20 and 30 years old. Hair density on the upper scalp then decreases toward the age of 40, leading to complete baldness between the ages of 40 and 60.

The trichoscopic signs of Androgenetic Alopecia are as follows:

  • Anisotrichosis: Uneven hair growth in the same areas of the scalp.
  • Localized or cranial involvement: Generalized involvement, especially in the cranial region.
  • Presence of a peripilar halo: hairs surrounded by a circle that demarcates the size of the largest former follicle.
  • Monotrichosis in affected areas. Absence of multiple hair shafts in each follicle.
    Empty ostia (yellow dots).
  • Empty ostia (yellow dots).

Trichoscopy of a 35-year-old patient with androgenetic alopecia. On the left, an image of the frontal region (hairline) and on the right, the occipital or posterior region.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Female Androgenetic Alopecia is clinical and should be established when the characteristic clinical signs are observed. Trichoscopic findings are very helpful in differentiating it from other female alopecia problems such as Telogen Effluvium or Traction Alopecia.

In some cases, but not all, it is advisable to perform a complementary blood test to measure the levels of both female sex hormones (FSH, LH, prolactin, ethinyl estradiol, estrone) and male sex hormones (4-delta androstenedione, 4-SO4 DHEA, free testosterone, total testosterone, dihydrotestosterone), and other non-sex hormones (17-OH cortisol, cortisol, 11B hydroxylase, 17B hydroxylase). This is because, in some cases, some types of Androgenetic Alopecia progress more rapidly due to this excess of hormones
.

DE FELIPE group is an international network of clinics and not all treatments are available at every location. We kindly invite you to contact us to confirm whether the treatment you require is offered at your chosen clinic.

Female Androgenetic Alopecia treatment price London

The price of the different procedures for the treatment  is:

Single session fee

Treatments

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

£250

Minoxidil Microinjections

£100

5AR Inhibitor Microinjections

£100

Hair Cycle Extenders Microinjections

£100

Anti-Inflammatory Microinjections

£100

Antiandrogen Microinjections

£100

Low-Level Laser

£50

Stem Cells or Nanofat

£1500

Neuromodulators

£450

Monofilament Threads

£450

Exosomes

£450

De Felipe Female Androgenetic Alopecia (FAGA) Program

£1200

Includes:

  • Diagnostic Trichology Consultation
  • 6 Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Sessions
  • 6 Dutasteride Microinjections
  • 6 Estradiol microinjection
  • 6 Progesterone microinjection
  • 6 sessions of minoxidil microinjection
  • 6 sessions of 635 nm photobiological therapy
  • Follow-up dermatological consultation

Frequently asked questions

The most frequently asked questions about female androgenetic alopecia can be found here:

There are different treatments available for female androgenetic alopecia.
They can be divided into three main groups: oral, topical, and microinjections.
The first two are completely painless; some pain may occur in the third group.
Topical, micro infiltration, and vibration anesthesia systems are used to reduce pain, making the procedure more tolerable for the patient.

Female androgenetic alopecia cannot be «cured» as such.
It is a chronic hair condition that requires long-term treatment.
With treatments, we can reduce its signs and causes, making it practically imperceptible.

The correct way to know if you have female androgenetic alopecia is through a dermatological diagnosis. If you are unable to see a dermatologist, you may suspect female androgenetic alopecia if the hair on the top of the scalp becomes smaller or thinner throughout life and is distributed evenly throughout the parietal or upper part of the scalp.

Female androgenetic alopecia is a chronic hair condition.
It cannot be «stopped,» but its progression can be slowed.
To understand how to slow its progression, please consult the «Causes» section on this page.
In summary, the most effective way to slow the progression of androgenetic alopecia is by blocking androgen receptors through oral treatment or microinjections.

Generally, the first step is to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis and the degree of alopecia. Once a clear diagnosis is reached, it is time to begin treatment. Treatment can be oral, infiltrated through microinjections, or topical. In any case, treatment should be personalized and adapted to the needs of each patient, and your dermatologist is the best person to help you choose the best treatment.