Hair Loss in Women

Hair loss can be very traumatic for women as hair is often seen as an essential part of femininity. It has been estimated that there are over 8 million women in the UK suffering from some form of hair loss and the majority of Dr David Fenton’s patients are women.

There are different types of hair loss and different causes and Dr David Fenton believes that identifying the why is crucial before beginning to discuss treatment options.

As well as offering treatment, Dr Fenton can also help with the psychological impact of hair loss. Indeed, counselling is an intrinsic part of Dr Fenton’s consultation process in helping a woman come to terms with her hair loss, be it temporary or permanent.

In addition to a thorough physical scalp examination, Dr Fenton carries out extensive pathology tests to investigate various underlying causative conditions, prior to prescribing a treatment plan.

Different types of  female hair loss and causes

Telogen effluvium; this condition causes generalised shedding and thinning of hair and is due to the normal hair growth cycle being interrupted. This type of hair loss is usually temporary and, potentially, the hair can grow back once the cause has been treated or the precipitating factor recovered.

Androgenetic alopecia; also known as female-pattern baldness, this hair loss is usually located on the top and front of the head. It can be inherited, but may be precipitated by hormonal factors and can often become more noticeable after the menopause.

Alopecia areata; this condition can affect any hair-bearing site, but frequently involves the scalp. It may occur at any age and affects both males and females. It often causes patchy loss of scalp hair, but may progress to complete loss of hair on the scalp (alopecia totalis) and may spread to involve all the hair on face, body and limbs (alopecia universalis). Alopecia areata may recovery spontaneously but there are a number of treatments that can encourage regrowth.

Scarring hair loss; also known as scarring alopecia or cicatricial alopecia, this refers to a number of hair loss disorders that fortunately are less common as they cause permanent and usually irreversible damage to the hair follicle which is then replaced with scar tissue.

It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between scarring alopecia and alopecia areata and Dr David Fenton may arrange for a scalp biopsy if necessary to diagnose the problem.

Get in Touch

“I just want to say thank you to Dr David Fenton (and his team!) for the exceptional care and kindness shown to my son over the last 18 months. His support also to an anxious mother has been tremendous”

JT, London

“It is always so lovely to see Dr Fenton and I want to thank him for the support, encouragement and kindness he always shows myself and my husband. We really appreciate the time and wise words that he so kindly gave us.”

ZD, Essex

“I’d like to say thank you to Dr Fenton for being such an amazing doctor for the last 24 years and all his help in treating my alopecia.”

KM, Surrey

“I am so grateful to Dr Fenton’s gentle ministering and I am so glad to say that with his help my hair has totally grown back now. Although not life-threatening, alopecia was disheartening and I was so pleased to be able to come and see Dr Fenton and be treated so successfully. It is amazing the quackery and suggestions that are out there! I am very lucky.”

JD, Kent