More Than A Bad Hair Day
For many women, our hair is something we control we cut it, style it and choose how to wear it. It is an expression of ourselves, our personality and our image. If we lose a lot of hair, we may feel less feminine, less in control and it can affect our self-esteem.
The average age of the menopause is around fifty and in the months or years leading up to this, some women notice a change in hair pattern. Very commonly, the volume and condition of the hair appears to worsen, with some women noticing that hair does not grow as much as previously. More hair seems to come out in the basin when washing and hair brushes soon fill up as loose hairs are brushed away. Some women will go on to experience a more profound hair loss, with thinning at the crown of the head, the sides or more general hair thinning all over the head. This is described as Female pattern hair loss . A complete loss of hair, as seen in men who sometimes go bald, is much rarer in women and is usually caused by a medical condition or by medical treatment such as chemotherapy.
What Steps Can I Take To Prevent Or Slow Hair Loss
Unfortunately, certain types of hair loss are genetic, and very little can be done to prevent them. Genetic types of hair loss include alopecia areata and female pattern hair loss.
But other types of hair loss can be brought on by stress and a poor diet. Do your best to eat a balanced diet, and find ways to take care of your mental health.
For added benefit, stay up to date with your routine checkups. Anemia, low levels of vitamin D and abnormal thyroid hormones can all affect the health of your hair. Simple bloodwork from your primary care physician can determine if these conditions are contributing to your hair loss.
Black women in particular are prone to a type of hair loss called traction alopecia, which is caused by heat, chemicals and tight styles that pull at the hair root, including some braids, dreadlocks, extensions and weaves.
Sudden Or Extreme Dietary Changes
Any time we change our diets radically, like drastically reducing calories or cutting out entire food groups, it has the potential to create enough stress and lack of nutrients to cause hair loss.
The most important thing is to use commonsense and always make sure any change in diet focuses on eating plenty of nutrient-dense foods. Generally, I do not recommend diets that demonize entire food groups, like carbs or vegetables or meat.
Its also important to use detox cleansing and fasting as short-term strategies for healingnot long-term lifestyle changes, as our microbiome diversity and overall health benefit from a wide variety of foods.
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How To Stop Hair Thinning And Prevent Balding
Unless youre rocking a shaved head, you most likely want to maintain a full head of hair. But unfortunately, hair thinning and balding has become a common problem these days.
Some factors that can contribute to or lead to thinning hair or baldness are genes, untreated medical conditions, poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency, exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays and living in a highly polluted area.
Severe physical or emotional trauma, post-pregnancy hormonal changes and chemotherapy also can cause hair thinning and balding.
Even styling your hair can lead to thinning hair and bald patches over time. Continual use of hot styling tools, frequent shampooing, vigorous or frequent brushing, and using a lot of hair products can all lead to breakage and thinning hair.
Although you cant reverse balding that is related to genetics, you can protect your hair from damage that may eventually lead to thinning. If youre already dealing with thinning hair or bald spots, these home remedies also promote hair growth.
Here are the top 10 ways to stop hair thinning and prevent balding.
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When To See Your Doctor
The origin of hair loss can be potentially come from medication side effects.
Hair loss is normal, but a doctors visit should be scheduled if there is a potential discrepancy in regards to the cause. The origin of hair loss can be potentially come from medication side effects. Speak with your doctor to see whether or not that is the cause. That way, if there is a potential trigger, it can be properly identified.
The human body undergoes a series of changes when a woman is on her period. Unfortunately, the loss of hair happens to be one of the many, normal side effects that take place during this time period. There are a series of ways it can be treated. Consider some of these tips, and you will be able to control hair loss effectively.
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What Causes Thinning Hair In Females
Johnson wants to make it clear that it is almost never one thing that causes hair thinning. Rather its usually a combination of several factors including genetics, overall health and how you treat your hair. When it comes to genetics, some women are predisposed to androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern hair loss, that runs in their family. If you are unsure whether or not hair loss is something any of the women in your family have dealt withas its not a condition many women like to speak aboutgently reach out. As with any health condition, the more information you have the better youll be equipped to deal with it.
As far as health, Johnson points to thyroid and endocrine system concerns as a potential cause of hair thinning. Additionally, there are certain conditions such as alopecia areata that specifically cause hair thinning.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where your white blood cells attack the body, which causes the hair to respond with a form of alopecia , she explains.
Mental health is also something to be mindful of when trying to figure out what is causing hair thinning. The stylist reveals mental health issues as common as plain old stress can sometimes lead to hair loss.
Johnson continues noting there are certain hairstyles and treatments such as tight braids and color services that can lead to other types of hair loss such as traction alopecia.
Haircare Tips For Older Women By Famous Hairstylists
The experts weigh in on the best hair care tips for older women
1. As hair ages, torture it less not more. Youll be tempted to break this rule but hairstyles for older women should involve less teasing, heat-styling and hair color. Hair loss in older women can be minimized by protecting fragile, thinning hair from excess styling damage.
2. Avoid a haircut rut. The long, stick-straight hairstyle of your youth will age you now. Instead, hairstylists recommend haircuts for older women with graduated layers kept close to the face. As our faces lose collagen and become more angular, long hairstyles for older women with layers will soften angular cheekbones and jawline.
3. Use moisturizing products to soothe dry scalp and hair.Thinning hair in older women is often dry, brittle and graying with dryer, flaky scalp. Maintain healthier scalp and hair with an invigorating hair thickening serum for women plus a moisturizing conditioner with Argan oil and hazelnut oil to nourish dry, aging hair.
4. Channel your inner Mia Farrow. The pixie cut is one of the best short hairstyles for older women because it spotlights your face. Boomer trendsetter Isabella Rossellini plus Robin Wright, Halle Berry and Sharon Stone have all embraced the modern pixie cut. Keep the cut soft, slightly longer around the ears, and wispy at the forehead and neckline.
What causes hair loss in older women?
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What Are The Causes Of Hair Loss During Menopause
While menopause symptoms are the primary factor for hair loss in women, there are a number of other factors that can predispose one to have thinning hair.
When these hormone levels drop, the effects of male hormones, which are scarce, but present in females, increase. As a result of this, hair grows much more slowly, and the follicles of the hair begin to shrink. This ultimately causes not only hair loss but weaker hair once it regrows.
While menopause symptoms are the primary factor for hair loss in women, there are a number of other factors that can predispose one to have thinning hair. These factors include elevated stress levels, nutritional deficiencies or genetic disorders. Of course, follow-ups with a medical provider to deduce the true underlying cause.
Top 10 Natural Treatments For Thinning Hair
Men and women of all ages yearn for thicker, fuller hair, especially when thinning hair becomes a visibly noticeable problem. Thankfully, there are natural treatments for thinning hair like balancing hormones, reducing stress, eating a proper diet and more.
The average adult head has about 100,000 to 150,000 hairs and loses around 50 to 100 hairs each day. That may sound like a lot, but its actually completely normal. You might think that losing so many hairs would make your hair look thinner, but thats only if the normal process of new hair growth isnt up to speed. As long as hair regrowth and hair loss are in proper balance, hair thinning isnt a problem, but for a lot of people hair loss is a daily concern. Aside from the less than ideal appearance of thinning hair, there is the greater fear that the thinning will turn into permanent hair loss and baldness.
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You can take steps to prevent further hair loss or damage.
En español | Visible hair loss can be deeply distressing and affects both men and women of all ages. While this condition is more common in men, women can experience thinning or complete hair loss, as well.
For women, pattern hair loss occurs mostly when they are in their 50s and 60s. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, Female pattern hair loss is the commonest cause of hair loss in women, and prevalence increases with advancing age. Affected women may experience psychological distress and impaired social functioning.
According to a posting by Harvard Women’s Health Watch, Hair loss often has a greater impact on women than on men because it’s less socially acceptable for them. The organization notes that as many as two-thirds of postmenopausal women have thinning hair or bald spots.
Hair loss in men, the Harvard article explains, “usually begins above the temples,” with the receding hairline forming the shape of an M. In women, thinning hair appears gradually, usually at the part line, and increasing hair loss spreading from the top of the head.
There are several causes of hair loss in women, including medical conditions, certain medications, and physical or emotional stress. Here are five categories of hair loss affecting 50-plus women.
- Aging
- Family history of pattern baldness
- Stress
- Diet i.e., poor nutrition
What Is Androgenetic Alopecia
Almost every woman eventually develops some degree of female pattern hair loss. It can start any time after the onset of puberty, but women tend to first notice it around menopause, when hair loss typically increases. The risk rises with age, and it’s higher for women with a history of hair loss on either side of the family.
As the name suggests, androgenetic alopecia involves the action of the hormones called androgens, which are essential for normal male sexual development and have other important functions in both sexes, including sex drive and regulation of hair growth. The condition may be inherited and involve several different genes. It can also result from an underlying endocrine condition, such as overproduction of androgen or an androgen-secreting tumor on the ovary, pituitary, or adrenal gland. In either case, the alopecia is likely related to increased androgen activity. But unlike androgenetic alopecia in men, in women the precise role of androgens is harder to determine. On the chance that an androgen-secreting tumor is involved, it’s important to measure androgen levels in women with clear female pattern hair loss.
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Be Mindful Of Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are a form of contraception that works by suppressing ovulation and/or making it more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant into the lining of the uterus. Hormonal hair loss in women may occur when women start or stop taking certain kinds of contraceptives. The hormones that make birth control pills effective may also cause hair thinning in women who use them. You are more likely to experience this side effect from birth control pills if you have a family history of hair loss. Stopping the pill is also a cause of hair loss in women. Hormones are not the only medication that may be associated with hair loss. Blood thinners and blood pressure medications may do it, too. So can drugs used to treat depression, heart disease, and arthritis.
If You Have Hair Loss Start Here
Treating your hair loss starts with addressing the underlying cause. So if you have signs of hair loss, see a board-certified dermatologist as soon as possible. They can help you pinpoint the problem and address the issue. No matter what the reason, the sooner you get treatment for hair loss, the better the result will be.
Since the hair is an extension of your body, living a healthy lifestyle can also help. Some measures you can take are:
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Eating a balanced diet
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Avoiding traumatic hair care
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Seeing your primary care provider regularly for preventative medical care
Topical solution or foam is the first-choice medication for most types of hair loss. For hereditary hair loss, your dermatologist may recommend pills like or . Other treatment options include cosmetic and surgical procedures at a dermatologists office. Some of these treatments are still experimental, but they show promise. Alternatively, many women cover thin areas with topical products, scalp tattooing, or wigs.
No matter what your age, the good news is that most causes of hair loss are treatable. Addressing the root cause early is key to stopping the process and regrowing hair.
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Why Is Our Hair Falling Out
Generally speaking as we grow older, we tend to have less hair. Though according to studies, men are likely to lose more hair than women, but most women are more conscious of having thin hair or hair falling out.
There are quite a few causes of thinning hair, but for our generation , the most important reason of hair falling out is due to aging.
You see, it is not uncommon to see women lose their hair when they reach their 50`s or 60`s. Honestly, experts are not sure why this can happen because of so many possible causes. Not only because of hormone changes, but also because of stress related causes, your genes, your lifestyle when it comes to your hair
I have collected some information that may be helpful when you have this kind of issue.