Desperate Attempts Unsuccessful

Revamped Article:

Scalp-bare anxieties claimed Maude Melanson, a 25-year-old woman, back in the day. It all began with a candid snap of herself under the sun's glare, revealing her balding scalp. "The sun was beaming on my skull," she recalls, her voice trembled with memories of that fateful moment. "I'd never noticed the extent of my hair loss. I panicked, and chaos ensued."

Caught in the grip of androgenetic alopecia, a condition that affects up to 12% of young women, 28% of women in their 50s, and more than half of women over 70, Maude's experiences echo a familiar tale for many women dealing with this issue. This condition is known for its distinct manifestation in women: the hairline usually remains intact, but there is diffuse loss on the crown of the head.

When it comes to female hair loss, multiple factors can be at play, as pointed out by dermatologist Elena Netchiporouk. Endocrine disorders, thyroid issues, polycystic ovaries, or SAHA syndrome might be the culprits. Yet, in Maude's case, she attributes it solely to her genetics. "My mother noticed her share of hair loss, albeit not to the same degree as mine," she admits during a video chat.

With a shaky start at a medical clinic, doctors suggested topical treatments such as sprays, but their cost was prohibitive for Maude, who was scraping by on minimum wage with a child to support. Insurance deemed it an aesthetic concern, refusing coverage. "But it was much more than that; I was melancholic," she recalls the painful memory.

Maude then sought solace in hair salons, undergoing capillary rinses, thickening products based on natural oils, and supplements that caused stomach discomfort and excessive facial hair. Then came the pricey treatments, costing $100 per session, which she pursued relentlessly for a year without any noticeable success. "I realized I was trapped in a vicious cycle – it felt like an obsession, a curse," she sighs.

To hide her balding scalp, Maude resorted to scalp tattoos, enduring unimaginable pain during the process. Her predicament took a turn when an inheritance landed in her lap, enabling her to afford the ultimate solution – a hair transplant—which she underwent in a Quebec clinic in 2021. Maude's eyes filled with tears when the doctor disclosed the price: $7,500. "I held out hope," she shares, "but each time I returned for PRP treatments—regenerative treatments costing $500 per session—they'd reaffirm, 'Give it time, you'll be content.' Yet, I never was."

Dermatologist Jeff Donovan asserts that hair transplants yield minimal success for most women, particularly those like Maude who don't have enough hair density at the back of the head. The question then arises: why do clinics still offer hair transplants to women who are unlikely to benefit?

"Knowing when to say 'no' is crucial for a hair transplant surgeon," Donovan offers, emphasizing the importance of this often-overlooked aspect of training.

Maude confided in minoxidil, a solution applied in drops before bedtime, as a treatment she had tried earlier. Though it did not result in lush, beautiful locks, it did help slow the progression of her hair loss. "It's a life-long commitment," she admits, "Stop using it, and the effects diminish."

Women with hair loss can also test oral minoxidil if they are not pregnant or nursing, though there's a concern they might grow hair elsewhere. Dermatologist Elena Netchiporouk suggests adding Spironolactone, an anti-male hormone medication, in a very low dose, to mitigate such risks. Finasteride can also be prescribed for menopausal women.

After fifteen long years and a whopping $15,000 drained, Maude Melanson asserts that if she ever discovers a workable solution, it will come in the form of medical intervention. Her advice to others battling hair loss? "Seek advice from genuine healthcare professionals, and learn to embrace yourself as you are."

In her pursuit for solutions, Maude explored various therapies and treatments, including skin-care products, supplements, and capillary rinses, which were aimed at promoting health-and-wellness and improving her mental-health.
Despite the substantial financial burden and lack of long-term success, Maude underwent a hair transplant, a type of science-based therapies-and-treatments, as a last resort to combat her hair loss.
Currently, Maude relies on minoxidil, a science-backed treatment, as part of her health-and-wellness routine, using it as a means to manage her hair loss and maintain her mental-health.