New Options To Treat Female Hair Loss

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Thinning hair can be tough to handle, especially for women, who make up 40 percent of all hair loss sufferers.

Women haven't always had as many treatment options as men but now there's new hope on the horizon.

About ten months ago, Arlyn Stern lived with visible bald patches.

"It was incredibly devastating," said Arlyn.

Now, she has a full head of hair.

Stern's doctor recommended she try a new product made for women containing 5 percent minoxidil, a topical over-the-counter medication that can promote hair growth.

"Little by little, all of a sudden, follicles are really coming and it just began to really grow out," said Stern.

Experts say the $30 bottle is just one of the latest options for women with hair loss, and the number of treatments is growing.

"This is an exciting time for research breakthroughs," says dermatologist Dr. Shani Francis.

One of the newest therapies is called PRP or "platelet-rich plasma."

Sharon Eckhart, who suffers from hair shedding, pays about $1,400 a session for the procedure every six months.

"It's cumulative so each time I have it done the results are better and better," said Eckhart.

A centrifuge concentrates platelets from Sharon's own blood. Then, under local anesthesia, it is injected back into her scalp. The goal is to turn on stem cells and regenerate blood vessels to the follicle.

"We see about 80 percent of the patients have a positive result. Within two months, we can reduce shedding to a normal level. It takes about a year for reversing the thinning," says hair loss expert Dr. Joseph Greco.

High tech devices, experts say, are also making a difference when combined with other therapies.

Sharon gets laser treatments in conjunction with PRP in the doctor's office.

And "use at home" low-level laser helmets and combs range from $300 to $700.

Doctors say just make sure any device you buy is FDA approved and you use only as directed.

"I have seen some really good results. It is a more of an investment, um, for someone to pay for this device but once they buy it they have it so I do think it's a potential option," said Dr. Francis.

Both Stern and Eckhart say they are grateful they found these new treatments and leaving those bald patches behind has been worth every penny.