REGAINE^® should only be used for the treatment of hereditary hair loss. Remember to always seek advice from a healthcare professional first, before treating any hair loss.

Myths and Misconceptions about Hair Loss

You’ve probably all heard some old wives’ tale about how to prevent hair loss, or an unsubstantiated rumour that hereditary hair loss can be cured. It’s time to set the official hair record straight, because your mane deserves more than tall tales. This is where we – the hair loss experts – can put the world to rights, ensuring that all women out there have a clear picture of what they can and can’t do to fight hair loss. Once and for all, know the truth behind what can cause hair loss in women, what can’t – and how you can treat it.

Myth: Hair loss doesn’t affect women – I’m alone in my concerns

Hereditary hair loss is a condition caused by a combination of genetics, hormone levels, and aging. More than 1 in 4 women will experience hereditary hair loss, but there is some good news: it’s a condition that’s treatable and manageable.

Myth: Only older women experience hereditary hair loss

Unfortunately this isn’t true either. Hereditary hair loss can strike at any time in a woman’s life – though it is more likely to occur as you get older. Some women start to notice hair thinning during their twenties, while others make it past fifty without significant loss or thinning. It depends on your genes, your hormones and other factors including diet and lifestyle.

Myth: Women experience hair loss in the same way as men

When men experience hereditary hair loss, it tends to lead to a balding crown and a receding hairline, with the two eventually joining up to create a bald scalp. With women, diffuse thinning is much more common. This is when hair is lost from all over the head, leading to decreased density across the whole scalp. Some women notice a wider part or thinner crown in particular.

Myth: Birth control can lead to hair loss

Unfortunately this is one myth that does have a grain of truth. Birth control pills essentially feed the body with synthetic hormones to prevent a woman from conceiving. Over time, the body grows accustomed to these hormones, so when a woman stops taking the contraceptive pill, it can throw the internal hormonal system into disarray. While the body works to restore natural order, hair loss can be an unfortunate side-effect.

Myth: Genetic hair loss is passed down through the mother’s side of the family

The truth is, hereditary hair loss is dictated by both sides of your family’s gene pool. If you’re experiencing hereditary hair loss, it can come from your mother’s side, your father’s side, or even a combination of both. If you suspect your hair loss is genetic, take a look at your family tree and their hair history.

Myth: Hair thickening products are all the same

Not all hair thickening treatments are created equal – some offer a short-term boost but aren’t suitable for long-term use, while many professing to be long-term solutions simply don’t have the science to back them up. Unlike some thickening products, which simply coat thinning hair to give the appearance of increased thickness, Women’s REGAINE® gets to the root of the problem, reactivating inactive follicles from the inside out to regrow hair.

Myth: I can’t use REGAINE^® without changing my hair care routine

Not at all. There is no reason to change your usual hair care routine when using Women’s REGAINE®. Women’s REGAINE® slots perfectly into your daily haircare routine. Apply Women’s REGAINE® first and wait for it to dry before applying your regular styling products.  If you are using the Foam product, the foam is absorbed into the scalp in seconds, and it’s totally unscented, so it won’t interfere with any other gels, serums, mousses or sprays you may use. With just once daily application, you may see noticeable results in as little as three months.

Myth: REGAINE^® will interfere with my colour-treated or permed hair 

Women with hair loss often go to extra lengths to ensure their locks are looking great – and that can include dying or perming their hair. Many women wrongly attribute colour-treating or perming as one of the reasons for their hair loss. While it’s true that excessive dying or heating the hair can lead to breakage, colouring or perming hair isn’t a proven form of hair loss.

We know that your style and colour are an important part of who you are – and for women with hair loss, a vampy new colour or some luscious new curls can go a long way towards boosting self-esteem. The great news is, Women’s REGAINE can be used on permed and colour-treated hair, so you don’t have to give up the hair style that makes you feel fabulous.

Myth: Results will happen overnight

Like all good things, hair regrowth doesn’t happen overnight. After all, normal hair grows only ½ an inch per month. But the good news is using Women’s REGAINE^® Foam, results can be seen as early as 3 months, but can take up to 6 months for some women. At first, hair regrowth shows up as soft, downy colourless hair. After use, new hair should develop having the same colour and thickness as other hairs on your scalp. While female hair loss is continual, Women’s REGAINE^® can be used at the earliest signs of hair thinning to regrow thicker, fuller hair.

Myth: All hair loss is permanent

Luckily, this one isn’t true. Some types of hair loss (such as post-partum hair loss or the loss stemming from physical trauma) are temporary – the hair cycle should return to normal after a few months. In the case of hereditary hair loss, although the actual condition itself is permanent, there are clinically proven treatments which can help stop the hair from falling.

 

¹ Gan DC et al. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc 2005; 10:184 –189.