“Full, healthy hair is seen as a sign of beauty,” says Miriam Bloch, celebrity wig designer and founder of The Wig Addiction hair care products.

But what if that mane is starting to wane?

While hair loss is often thought to primarily affect men, according to the American Hair Loss Association, nearly 40 percent of those experiencing it are women.

The fault lies with a variety of factors. “Hormonal changes, genetics, stressors, diet, environment, disease, illness and medications can all contribute to hair loss and thinning,” says dermatologist and hair surgeon Craig Ziering. “And for those who engage in tension-creating hairstyles, excessive use of heated tools, color and chemicals, this can lead over time to follicle damage and destruction, leading to thin, weak hair.” In other words, consider dumping daily use of that flat iron.

Time is of the essence though when dealing with the problem. “The good news is that many effective interventions exist, but these treatments work better in the earlier stages of loss with a multipronged approach, and for those without underlying medical conditions such as anemia and hypothyroidism,” says dermatologist Tess Mauricio (who recently worked with Khloe Kardashian to remove a facial skin tumor). For those who want to avoid going the route of hair transplant surgery — which can easily cost $15,000 and up — here are alternative ways to stem (or hide) the loss.

LASER TREATMENTS

Ava MD and Skin Five’s Dr. Ava Shamban is seeing impressive results with the Fotona HAIRestart stimulation program. During each 30- to 40-minute session (around $250 and up per treatment), a handheld laser unit delivers energy to targeted hair follicles. “This controlled laser energy triggers follicle function and has helped to slow the loss of hair and regenerate new hair growth for both women and men without any pain or downtime,” she says. Results may vary as each client is unique, with four to six visits (spaced a week apart) suggested for optimal results.

Another pain-free, doctor-administered option causing a stir is KeraLase Ultra. During each 30-minute treatment ($4,500 for a suggested package of three, which includes at-home products), a laser applied to the scalp creates microchannels in the epidermis in order to infuse a serum of five growth factors and proteins. “This is particularly helpful in the earlier stages of thinning, and it will solidify and…