About 10 to 20 percent of the patients seen at the Toronto Hair Transplant Centre who are concerned with hair loss are female. For a woman, more so than for a man, hair is a defining point of personal style. For most women, losing hair is often a traumatic experience. Most of the women can be close to tears when discussing their daily struggle with attempts to cover up their thinning hair. Adding to the problem is the fact that many females feel they have been “brushed off” by family doctors and dermatologists, who make them feel like they are worrying about something insignificant. Of course, what these physicians don’t seem to realize is that the psychological damage caused by hair loss and feeling self-conscious can be just as devastating as any serious disease, and in fact, can take an emotional toll that directly affects a woman’s physical health.

The following is an actual letter sent to us by a female patient. The letter expresses the anguish that we see in so many women who are frustrated with the hair loss they are experiencing.

“I am a 33-year-old female who began noticing gradual loss of hair 10 years ago. As time progressed, it became more noticeable and undeniable. I found myself trying everything possible to diminish it. As my condition worsened, I began to run out of options and began adjusting my activities accordingly (i.e. I would avoid public pools and the beach). In my opinion, this is one of the worst forms of mental torture a woman could experience. After seeing several doctors, they concluded that my hair loss was due to some chronic physical problems I had, but they offered no help. My self-esteem had all but been destroyed, until I met Dr. Robert Jones, of Oakville, Ontario.

I came across his website on Yahoo, and after reviewing it, called him for a telephone consultation. I ended up booking a hair transplant procedure with him shortly after. I was discouraged at first, after returning home, as I had tiny blood dots all over my head. I knew I needed to be patient.

After a week, my stitches came out, but Dr. Jones cautioned me not to expect anything for three months. I would have my husband check out my scalp once in a while to see how things were progressing I would say that this anticipation was the worst part; after living in torment for so long, you can’t help but feel like an anxious child on Christmas Eve. At the first signs of growth, I felt a joy I had not felt in a long time. I was ecstatic!

It has now been about a year since the procedure, and my hair is much fuller than it was. Of course, it is not as full as it was before all this started, but it is a big improvement. It was enough to restore my confidence and feel good about myself. I no longer felt like I had to hide and miss out on the many things I had avoided in the past. The renewal of my self-esteem gave me the courage to return to the life I thought I would never have again. Four months after the procedure, I found a new full-time job and feel great.

If I had not gone to see Dr. Jones, I would still be in a rut, hiding from the world. He is a skilled physician and a kind person who will provide you with as much help as humanly and medically possible. I would advise any woman to not suffer in silence. There is help and people who care. It’s really just a phone call away.”

Thinning and balding are mistakenly thought to be strictly male phenomena. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 40 percent of women have visible hair loss by the time they are age 40, and about 80 percent of females develop some recession of their hairlines as well, as part of the normal maturation process.

The American Hair Loss Association recognizes hair loss in women is a serious life-altering condition that can no longer be ignored.