Biography
Biography: Meena Singh
Abstract
20- 30% of all women suffer from female pattern hair loss (FPHL) in the US. Society expects to see hair thinning and hairline recession in men; however, it is less socially acceptable when it occurs in women. Fortunately, most women can be aided with a combination of both medical and surgical therapies. Minoxidil is the only FDA approved treatment for at this time. In the majority of women, it stops progression of the disease and can rethicken hair. Many women with FPHL are candidates for hair transplantation. With the use of follicular unit transplantation with smaller 1-4 follicular unit grafts, very good cosmetic, natural-appearing results can be achieved. Consultation for hair transplantation with a female patient differs somewhat than with a male patient. Because of the nature of FPHL, the patient is often more concerned about the ‘see-through’ nature of the scalp, as opposed to regression of the hairline or loss at the vertex scalp. They have a more unpredictable donor area. They can demonstrate telogen effluvium postoperatively. In addition, it is important to perform a detailed scalp examination and consider further labs and potentially scalp biopsy to differentiate FPHL from telogen effluvium or scarring alopecias. In consultation, the patient should be made aware that net cosmetic outcome and density will reflect the amount of hairs transplanted minus the ongoing hair loss. In addition, placing the hairs predominantly in the frontal scalp, as opposed to diffusely spreading it throughout the involved areas will lead to a better cosmetic outcome. The main procedural consideration for the surgery is that transplanted hairs will be placed in between existing hairs. The talk will begin with a general introduction, review differences between females and males, as well as technical considerations. The majority of the talk will be case based.