There are numerous causes of hair loss in women.  By far, the most common cause of hair loss and thinning is due to androgenetic alopecia (or female pattern baldness).  Female pattern baldness, like male pattern baldness, is secondary to "genetics" and "hormones."  Women who develop female pattern baldness usually maintain an intact hairline (unlike men), however, they become diffusely thin on the top and occasionally sides of the scalp.  In women with an intact hairline, performing a hair transplant with "natural hair grouping grafts" between the existing follicles can restore a good deal of density to the balding scalp.  However, before undergoing a hair transplant it is imperative that the patients expectations are realistic and can be met by the hair transplant physician.

Hair loss due to surgical procedures is another common form of hair loss in women.  Improperly performed face-lift surgery may permanently damage hair follicles along the temples, sideburns, and even behind the ears. A Brow-lift (forehead lifts) may move the hairline back to an unacceptably high location, and scars along the hairline may be quite visible when the hair is parted or the wind blows.  Some brow lift techniques may also damage follicles behind the hairline.  In these instances, a hair transplant can create a new hairline with "natural hair grouping grafts" or a hair transplant can be performed to hide the unsightly scar.  A normal, dense, donor area must be present on the sides and back of your scalp in order for the hair transplant surgeon to perform successful hair transplants.

There are several other medical conditions that result in hair loss in women.  These include alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis.  Some women experience telogen effluvium, a temporary thinning of the hair, following childbirth or other physically, emotionally, or psychologically traumatic events in their life.  In addition, many women experience hair damage due as a result of the processing and styling of the hair. Follow this link for more information about hair loss due to hair damage.

It is not possible to describe every possible cause of hair loss in women.  Every woman experiencing hair loss should be thoroughly evaluated by a dermatologist to determine the cause and appropriate course of treatment, if any.