Facing the Facts: 50% of Menopausal Women Experience Hair Loss
By: Dr. Kristy Bailey, Evolve Guest Contributor
October is Menopause Awareness Month, and women of a certain age are rejoicing that menopause is no longer the taboo topic it once was. Celebrities, healthcare professionals, and women everywhere are starting to speak more openly about their experiences, and this growing dialogue is helping to foster a supportive and better-informed approach to menopause.
Menopause causes a range of physical and emotional changes for women in their 40s and 50s, but when it comes to the common symptoms, there’s one that deserves more attention: hair loss. According to a recent study, more than 50% of menopausal women will experience hormonal hair thinning caused by a decline in estrogen and progesterone. Unlike night sweats or joint pain, hair loss is something others can see, often leading to lowered self-esteem during an already challenging time.
Many women feel helpless as their appearance begins to change. The good news is that there are simple solutions, from supplements to surgical interventions, to combat menopausal hair loss.
Evolve spoke with Dr. Kristy Bailey, Toronto’s #1 rated dermatologist and founder of the Hair Transplant Centre Toronto, to get her expertise on restoring women’s natural hair density.
Supplements
For minimal thinning or if you’re not ready for more advanced treatments, Dr. Bailey proposes using dietary supplements to support hair growth, specifically Viviscal, which targets the scalp, hair follicles, and hair strands. The Viviscal Hair Nourishment System is a 100% drug-free solution that promotes healthier, fuller, and thicker hair. Clinical trials have demonstrated that these vitamin supplements can significantly increase hair density, enhancing volume in just three to four months.
Non-surgical treatments
Dr. Bailey recommends two options to address mild to moderate menopausal hair loss: red light therapy and PRP.
Using low-level laser light technology, the Theradome Laser Helmet is an at-home FDA-approved solution that stimulates follicle and tissue repair, reverses hair miniaturization, and encourages growth. Although it’s not a quick fix, clinical studies have shown it can generate up to 20 new hairs per square centimetre, and results can be seen after three months of regular use. The helmet can be worn long-term for twice-weekly sessions, with no downtime required.
Another minimally invasive procedure Dr. Bailey suggests is PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin), ideal for mild scalp show due to genetics or hormone-related thinning. This method tackles hair loss by stimulating the cells responsible for hair growth. A small amount of blood is drawn from the arm to isolate the platelet-rich plasma, which is packed with growth factors, and then it is micro-injected into the scalp areas experiencing hair loss. The best outcomes are usually seen after at least six sessions scheduled four weeks apart.
Hair transplantation
Hair transplants are the ideal solution for women experiencing significant hair loss. FUE (follicular unit extraction) hair transplantation is a cutting-edge procedure that offers lasting results. It is a one-day minimally invasive treatment to obtain thick hair permanently. It involves extracting individual hair follicles directly from the patient’s thicker scalp sections and applying them to thinning areas using a precise micro-punch tool. This method leaves no linear scars, is less painful with just a one-week recovery, and is resistant to hormones that cause hair loss.
Dr. Bailey’s premier hair clinic, the Hair Transplant Centre Toronto, is located in the city’s Financial District, providing patients with safe and effective treatments in the comfort of Toronto. With more than 50 years of combined experience, the Hair Transplant Centre Toronto team is dedicated to helping patients achieve their hair restoration goals, enhancing their appearance and confidence. The team has extensive education and training on FUE hair transplants from all over the world, with Dr. Bailey as the Medical Director and Founder.
For more information on the latest treatments, follow Dr. Bailey on Instagram at @hairtransplantcentretoronto and @drkristybailey, or visit hairtransplantcentretoronto.com.
