Female Hair Loss: The 'Christmas Tree' Pattern

You might be surprised to learn that there is a pattern of female hair loss that is named after a Christmas tree. But, despite the name, this type of genetic hair loss isn't just for Christmas.

The Christmas tree hair loss pattern

The 'Christmas Tree' pattern term was coined by dermatology specialist, Dr. Elise Olsen, with the “Christmas tree” shaped area of hair loss spreading out from the parting of a women’s hair.

The base of the tree is at the front of the scalp, by the face, and the top of the tree is in the middle of the scalp. This type of thinning occurs as a result of Androgenic Alopecia.

What is Female Pattern Hair Loss?

is hereditary and is the most common hair loss condition seen in women, with tens of thousands of women affected by the condition in the UK alone. Like male pattern baldness, it normally begins as you get older, and most commonly affects women over the age of 40 although, due to the stress of modern living, recent research has found that women are starting to lose their hair as early as their 20s.

Whilst men with hereditary hair loss tend to develop specific areas of baldness, such as a thinning crown, women often see thinning hair over most of the scalp, rather than in one distinct area.

Female hair loss patterns

Female hair loss is often classified using the Ludwig Scale, which measures diffuse hair loss over the whole scalp rather than a defined area of balding.  As you can see from the diagram to the right, Type I refers to minor thinning while Type III is noticeable hair loss all over the scalp.

The 'Christmas Tree' pattern is an in-between stage, as Belgravia trichologist, Leonora Doclis explains: "This pattern equates to the mid-stages of the Ludwig Scale in its’ appearance although, not yet complete. This is the in- between stages of Ludwig scale D2 to D5. The hair is often thinner towards the front so, there is a widening or tapering hence, looking like a Christmas tree. Towards the back is often thicker but as the condition progresses, it can resemble a Christmas tree. We see if often in the clinics - it is quite a common pattern of hair loss."

Fronto-temporal Recession is also charted on the Ludwig Scale ('Frontal'). This is similar to a receding hairline in men and, whilst it can affect women, it is less common than general and vertex thinning.

If you think you may be shedding excessively but cannot make out a distinct pattern, there is a test you can do at home to find out if your hair loss is within the 'normal' range of up to 100 hairs per day.

Treating Female Pattern Hair Loss

Click the images above to see Belgravia client Ana's full Hair Loss Success Story

Thankfully, Female Pattern Hair Loss is one of the most treatable women’s hair loss conditions.

Here at Belgravia, we have hundreds of Hair Loss Success Stories featuring women who have been successfully treated for hair loss using our exclusive hair loss treatment plans. These feature our bespoke minoxidil preparations, formulated in-house at our Central London hair loss clinics' pharmacies, which are designed to spur on hair regrowth and have been used to produce substantial results in many of our female clients.

One of these female hair loss clients is Ana, pictured right (click on her images to see her full Success Story), who said of her Belgravia treatment: "The results I have had so far are outstanding".

If left untreated, it becomes harder to boost hair growth and minimise hair loss. This is because follicles affected by Female Pattern Hair Loss eventually die, resulting in irreversible baldness. As a result, if you are concerned about hair loss, it’s important to see a hair loss specialist at the first signs of thinning hair.