Buying Guide For Best Hair Loss Treatments For Women
Hair loss is usually thought as a problem that affects only men, but many women experience hair thinning and loss as they age, too. There are many reasons why someone might start to lose hair, but regardless of the cause, it can wreak havoc on a womans self-esteem and confidence.
Fortunately, there are plenty of OTC hair loss treatments that can help slow the loss or even regrow hair. But not all hair loss treatments for women are the same. If you dont choose an effective product, youll just be wasting your time and money.
Fortunately, our handy shopping guide has plenty of tips to help you pick the best hair loss treatment for your needs. If youre ready to buy, check out our top recommendations.
Is Hair Loss Normal
We all lose hair. Some hair loss is perfectly normal, as hair falls out after it completes the 2 to 6 year growth phase. You may notice loose hairs that have fallen out on your clothes or in your comb or hairbrush. The average person loses about 50 to 100 hairs per day. This is normal. What is not normal? Excessive hair loss in women may be apparent by the following: If your hair starts to fall out in clumps, especially when you brush or comb it or are in the shower, you should see your doctor. If you notice that you can see larger areas of your scalp or that your hair is thinning, see your dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment of your hair loss condition.
Consider These Useful Supplements For Healthy Hair
- A multivitamin and mineral to guard against deficiencies .
- Soy isoflavones . If you have a medical history of a hormone dependent condition check with your doctor before taking them although evidence suggests they are beneficial in these cases, too.
- A probiotic will supply beneficial digestive bacteria which may help to increase conversion of soy isoflavones to a stronger oestrogenic version called equol.
- Flaxseed oil is one of the richest dietary sources of lignans.
- Some nutritionists may recommend l-lysine amino acid supplements.
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Give Your Hair The Nutrition It Needs To Thrive
Diet should always come first, so, select whole grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, which are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids to nourish your hair roots.
Meats and dark green leafy vegetables are good sources of iron. If your hair is thinning, however, then a multivitamin and mineral supplement is also a good idea to guard against nutrient deficiencies.
Before taking supplements, see your doctor to rule out related problems such as iron-deficiency anemia, malabsorption of nutrients, and hormone imbalances, including type 2 diabetes and thyroid problems which may need further investigation.
Garlic has beneficial effects on circulation by dilating small blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the peripheries such as the scalp and nail folds by as much as 55 percent. Platelet clumping is significantly decreased after a dose equivalent to half a clove of garlic and lasts for three hours. Some of the ingredients in garlic are as potent as aspirin in this respect.
You can also stimulate circulation and increase the flow of nutrients to hair follicles by massaging your scalp regularly with your fingers, at least once a day. Concentrate on areas where your scalp seems tightly bound down to the underlying bone, to help improve any constriction to blood flow.
Get A Hormone Boost To Reduce Hair Loss
Hair loss increases after menopause when estrogen levels fall. This also increases the relative influence of the small amount of testosterone hormone that is made in the ovaries and adrenal glands.
Testosterone is converted into a stronger hormone in hair follicles which increases male and female-pattern hair loss which is genetically determined.
If you are willing to take estrogen hormone replacement therapy, this will help to boost hair quality. Once again, this is something that you can discuss with your doctor.
An alternative approach is to consume more plant estrogens, especially isoflavones and lignans. Although these are between 500 and a thousand times less active than human estrogen, they can provide a useful hormone boost. Isoflavones are found in edamame beans, tofu, miso, and other soy products, sweet potato, lentils, nuts, and seeds.
As well as having an oestrogen-like action, lignans provide an additional benefit by inhibiting the enzyme , which converts testosterone to the stronger dihydrotestosterone in hair follicles. Research shows that increasing your intake of lignans are associated with a reduced rate of hair loss and hair regeneration.
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How Does Hair Grow
Your scalp is home to about 100,000 hairs. Each one has its own life cycle. A follicle produces a single hair that grows at a rate of half an inch per month. It hangs in there for 2 to 6 years, then stops for about a month. When the next cycle starts up, that hair falls out. At any given time, most of your locks are in the growth phase.
Hair Loss Treatment Features
Ingredients
When you start shopping for a hair loss treatment, you should always check the ingredient list to make sure that the product is proven to be effective.
Treatment frequency
With the majority of hair loss treatments, the more frequently you use the product, the better the results youll experience. Most topical scalp treatments suggest daily usage, with some formulas even recommending day and night applications. Other treatments, such as shampoos or masks, may only require application two to three times a week. Keep in mind that these types of products may not show results as quickly.
Scent
Some hair loss treatments for women have a strong scent that may be offensive or irritating to some people. Products that use natural ingredients like green tea, tea tree oil, and argan oil tend to have the mildest scents, but its especially important to avoid treatments with artificial fragrances. These can irritate your scalp and even weaken your hair and make it harder to stimulate new hair growth.
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Coping With Hair Loss
While losing hair at a young age may be concerning, hair loss is a reality for many people as they age. One study posted to the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology noted that up to 75% of females would experience hair loss from androgenetic alopecia by the time they are 65 years old.
While many females look for ways to treat hair loss while they are young, at some point, most people accept hair loss as a natural part of the aging process.
Some people may choose to wear head garments or wigs as a workaround to hair loss. Others work with their aging hair by wearing a shorter haircut that may make thin hair less apparent.
How To Stop Hair Breakage
Prone to breakage? Your scalp may be parched. Whether from the suns heat, chlorine, or hormone flux, a severe lack of moisture on the scalp can lead to weak locks that break easily.
There are so many uses for avocados in the kitchen, and as it turns out, they are Roberts-Coopers kitchen fix for an instantly hydrated scalp. The fruits omega-3 fatty acids penetrate the layers of scalp skin to replenish moisture, while its vitamin E helps repair the skins barrier to lock in that moisture. Bonus: Those same nutrients infuse locks with luster.
To make an avocado hair mask: Rub half a mashed avocado onto damp hair from the roots to ends, cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes, then rinse.
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Midlife Hormonal Changes May Contribute To Thinning Hair
Hair loss might also be related to a shift in hormones, says Faubion. Androgens, a group of hormones that include testosterone and androstenedione, dont increase during the menopause transition, but the ratio between estrogen and androgen changes, so you have less estrogen and relatively more androgen, she explains.
DHT, a metabolite of testosterone, has been linked to male baldness in research. Theres a theory that changing ratios may be related to hair loss in women, says Faubion.
What Are The Roots Of Hair Loss
Thereâs no single cause. Triggers range from medical conditions — as many as 30 — to stress and lifestyle factors, like what you eat. Your genes play a role, too. Sometimes doctors canât find a specific reason. As a starting point, hair loss experts suggest you get tested for thyroid problems and hormone imbalances. Hair often grows back once the cause is addressed.
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When To See A Doctor
In most cases, thinning hair is not linked with overall health problems. If a person is concerned about hair loss, or if it affects their mental well-being, they can see a doctor.
If a person loses a lot of hair with no known cause, they should see their doctor. This is especially important if they have recently made dietary changes or started taking supplements.
The doctor may recommend that a person sees a skin specialist, or dermatologist, to determine the best ways to treat thinning hair.
Hair Loss Trigger: Thyroid Problems
This butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your neck pumps out chemicals that keep your body humming along. If it makes too much or too little thyroid hormone, your hair growth cycle might take a hit. But thinner locks are rarely the only sign of a thyroid problem. You might lose or gain weight, become sensitive to cold or heat, or notice changes in your heart rate.
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Tip : Invest In Some Headwear
Hats, turbans, and scarves are a tres chic way to hide thinning areas on the head. Try a beautiful silk scarf or a fun slouchy beanie, or a vintage-inspired newsboy cap for an ultra stylish look.
While these tips are sure to help with your thinning locks, dont disregard the ever-classic hat. Whether theyre beanies, ball caps, sun hats, fancy, or casual, hats are perfect for an easy on-the-go look. Scarves are another fabulous, feminine look you cant pass up! Have any other tips for adding some oomph to your thinning locks? Let us know in the comments section below!
When was the first time you noticed you were losing your hair? Was it a wider-than-normal hair part? A space at the crown? Or just a general lack of fullness youve noticed over time? No matter how you noticed your thinning hair, the realization was probably pretty nerve-wracking. You start to wonder what you can do to get those lush locks back. Before you start Googling hair transplants, weve rallied up several A++ tips to help you hide any thinning areas, along with some reasons behind why hair loss occurs.
Low Light Laser Therapy
LLLT treatment can be administered at home or in a hair salon thats certified for LLLT. This treatment can be done in the form of a comb or a funny looking hard hat contraption. Basically the low-level laser omits waves that are said to stimulate hair growth.
A 2014 research review found LLLT helped hair growth in mice as well as men and women in controlled clinical trials.
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Treating Hair Loss: Lasers
Devices that emit low-energy laser light may help new hair grow. They’re available in some clinics and for home use. Several are approved for both men and women, and studies show they do work. But it might take 2-4 months before you see results. Keep in mind: The FDA doesnât require the same rigorous testing for devices as for medicines. The long-term safety and effects arenât known.
Cosmetic Options For Hair Loss
When medical treatments fall short, women can also consider cosmetic options to make up for lost hair, such as wearing a wig. At the other end of the spectrum is hair transplantation, a surgical procedure that moves active follicles from the back of the scalp to areas where the hair is thinning. Once transplanted, the hair grows normally.
Hair transplantation is typically performed as an outpatient surgical procedure. In appropriate patients, it can be extremely successful, but it wont work for everyone, says Dr. Scott. One drawback is the expense: it can cost thousands of dollars and is not covered by insurance. The procedure also requires recovery time. And it may not be appropriate for women who have diffuse thinning across the whole scalp. Its more effective in treating smaller, more defined areas of balding.
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Beware Of Big Promises
There are numerous devices and products that are marketed as effective hair loss treatments, but many of them do not work. Beware of all of the false advertising associated with these products. If a cure for hair loss in women sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Before-and-after pictures may have been doctored to be misleading. How do you know if a hair loss treatment really works? Ask your dermatologist about any treatment you are considering. Look on the FDA and Federal Trade Commission websites to search for approved medical devices and drugs.
Incorrect Foods To Be Eliminated
To discourage hair thinning you must know which foods to avoid:
Potential foods with allergens: if you consume foods that can give any allergic reaction to your body, this automatically increases the levels of inflammation which is counterproductive for the growth of strong and healthy hair. The most common allergens are: gluten, dairy products, corn, soy, preservatives and additives.
Hydrogenated fatty acids: it has been shown that they cause inflammation and produce DHT which can lead to hair loss. So stay away from any vegetable oil, corn oil and soy.
Sugars: sugars make the hormones unbalanced, increase DHT and cause inflammation.
Packaged foods: they contain chemical agents that can interrupt the hormonal balance.
Alcohol: it causes inflammation and intoxication of the liver, leading to hair loss.
Caffeine: too much caffeine causes dehydration, hormone imbalance and DHT production.
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Natural Treatments For Thinning Hair
With some conditions, such as hair thinning, resulting from a traumatic life event, getting your hair back on track is just a matter of time and patience. If you know your hair loss is not at temporary problem or youre just looking to regain a prior level of thickness, these are the some of the natural treatments for thinning hair that will hopefully help to get your hair growth back on a healthy track.
1. Rule Out Medications
Its important to make sure that you dont take medications that could actually cause hair thinning. There are many medications that have been linked to hair loss. Make sure you know the possible side effects of your current medications as well as your supplements. If you know one of them may cause hair loss, that could be the culprit right there. Below I list some of the most common medications that can contribute to thinning hair and hair loss.
2. Herbs
Saw palmetto extracts and supplements can work well for hair thinning because they keep testosterone levels balanced. Opinions about saw palmetto as an effective hair growth agent are mixed, but there are studies that indicate it to be beneficial.
One study conducted at the Clinical Research and Development Network in Colorado tested 34 men and 28 women, aged 1848 years, who topically applied saw palmetto extract in lotion and shampoo base for three months. The results found that 35 percent of the participants had an increase in hair density.
3. Reduce Stress
4. Balance Hormones
5. Foods that Help