What Causes Hair Loss
There are many different types of hair loss with a variety of potential underlying causes. Several medical conditions are associated with hair loss in women. Common causes include thyroid problems and hormone imbalances. Wondering how to stop hair loss in women? When the underlying cause of hair loss is diagnosed and treated, hair loss may stop, and hair may grow back. Stress, nutritional factors, and genetics may also play a role in hair loss. Severe physical stress such as going through childbirth, surgery, or suffering a serious illness may precipitate a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. This is a condition in which stress forces large numbers of follicles to enter the resting phase, and after a few months, hair will fall out.
Sometimes doctors are not able to determine what is causing hair loss. Other potential causes of hair loss include radiation therapy, cancer, kidney failure, liver failure, medication side effects, and autoimmune disease. If you are experiencing new or increasing hair loss, see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.
How Do You Measure Hair Loss
Doctors characterize the severity of hair loss using something called the Savin density scale. This scale has 8 stages and describes hair loss around the midline part as well recession in the front of the hairline. Some women lose hair to various degrees around the midline and/or in the front of the hairline. Some women experience hair thinning all over the scalp. Hair loss may occur in episodes or continuously. The doctor parts the hair down the middle of the head and then determines the severity of hair loss. The most common pattern for female pattern baldness is thinning around the midline that occurs in the shape of a Christmas tree. The pattern and severity of female hair loss helps determine the appropriate course of treatment.
Thinning Hair In Women: Why It Occurs And What Can Be Done
It’s fair to blame both Disney and Hollywood for giving us females unrealistic goals when it comes to hair. Let’s face it, half the actors in Hollywood have extensions and all those Disney princesses are just drawings.
The truth is that most of us have a head of hair far from what you’d call lush, and the reality only gets sadder as we age. One in three women will notice hair thinning or hair loss after age 30, and it can start as early as the 20s.
Most people lose between 50-100 hairs a day, which is considered ‘normal’. People who consistently experience loss or shedding of 150 or more hairs a day may be experiencing significant loss, which in women is known as female pattern hair loss.
“The condition of female pattern hair loss is a genetic hereditary condition,” dermatologist Dr Eleni Yiasemides told The Huffington Post Australia.
“The condition can be inherited from either the mother or father’s side. Females with this condition have normal hormone levels and are otherwise well. FPHL is extremely common.”
The good news is that the hair loss doesn’t follow the same pattern as it does in men, so you won’t look like George Costanza anytime soon.
So, if hereditary hair loss accounts for 90 percent of all hair loss or hair thinning in women, what causes the other 10 percent?
Well that’s good news for the minority, but what can be done for those with female pattern hair loss?
Regaine Womens Extra Strength Foam, $48.99
As always, have a chat with your doctor.
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How Do I Tell If My Hair Is Shedding Or Thinning
Its the question I ask myself most mornings: How exactly do you figure out if your hair is actually thinning or if youre just shedding a little more than usual? You lose about 50 to 100 hairs every day, which is about 0.001 percent of your hair, says Burg. Now, when you notice that amount doubling or tripling, thats an indication that your hair cycle is too short. Reminder: If your hair cycle speeds up, it goes through its resting and falling stages too quickly, which can lead to less hair on your pretty little head.
Other than monitoring the amount of hair you lose in the shower or on your hair brush, youll want to check your ponytail , your part , and your scalp . If you are noticing any of the above, dont freak, heres what you can do next:
Medication For Hair Loss
Minoxidil, or Rogaine, is a topical medication that is used to treat female pattern hair loss and male-pattern baldness. It was initially developed as a blood pressure medication and was used off-label to treat hair loss until it became FDA-approved for that purpose. Minoxidil can slow the progression of hair loss. Most women who use the medication experience regrowth of hair. The medication needs to be used continuously to maintain results. Other types of treatment work for different kinds of hair loss. Corticosteroids help suppress the immune response that damages hair follicles in people who have alopecia areata. Once the follicles recover, hair can grow back. If nutritional deficiencies underlie hair loss, eating a healthy diet with adequate and protein and nutrients can help you regrow hair. Certain medical problems may trigger hair loss. Adequately treating these conditions may help restore hair growth.
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Yes Women Experience Thinning Hair Too Heres Why And Possible Treatments
At first, I blamed the hairstylists. For several years, my hair had been flat, the cowlick too pronounced, the texture different. I kept switching salons in search of the perfect cut, the miracle product or, ideally, both. Then, as I ticked off my complaints to a new stylist, he ran his fingers through my hair and shrugged. It happens, he said. We get older. The hair thins.
What?
Just a few months later, Ricki Lake, 51, revealed her own struggle with hair loss an irony for the actress who found fame as the star of Hairspray. My fixation kicked into high gear, and I started searching online for answers. I learned that its normal to shed 50 to 100 hairs a day, and that new ones should grow in their place. But a variety of factors, including genetics, illness and poor nutrition, can disrupt that growth cycle, not just in men, but also in women of all ages. The American Hair Loss Association reports that 40 percent of all hair loss sufferers are women.
Genetics is the leading cause of hair loss for both sexes, said Marc Avram, a New York dermatologist who specializes in the condition. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that 30 million women in the United States suffer from hereditary hair loss, compared with 50 million men, though Avram suspects the numbers are much higher.
What Types Of Health Conditions Can Lead To Hair Loss
Hair loss itself is sometimes treated as a diagnosis, but it is often asymptom of something bigger. “Hair loss can be a sign of an underlying health issue and act as an early warning system,” says Richard Firshein, an expert in integrative and precision-based medicine and founder of the Firshein Center. “The health of hair follicles is directly related to health and the functioning of our endocrine system.”
For conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome , which is often difficult to diagnose, hair thinning is often one of the first tell-tale signs along with acne and body hair caused by the increased levels of testosterone. “Patients with PCOS can have overall elevated testosterone leading to androgenetic alopecia,” explains Henry. Talking about it openly with your dermatologist, OB-GYN, or general health provider can help get you to a diagnosis and treatment plan earlier.
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Treating Hair Loss: Medicine
Minoxidil is approved by the FDA for female pattern hair loss. It can slow or stop it in most women and may help hair grow back. But the benefits go away when you stop using it. Corticosteroids can help regrow hair for women with alopecia areata. And if the cause is an underlying medical problem or poor nutrition, your locks should grow back on their own once things are under control.
Remedies To Prevent Stop Or Regrow Hair Back
Other than opting for the above ways on, one should strive to ensure it does not occur in the first place. Some of the common ways you can opt for include the following:
- Stop using harsh chemicals that can affect it including hair dyes, bleaches, tints, and chemical straighteners. As the American Academy of Family Physicians notes, they may cause inflammation of the hair follicle, which can result in scarring and hair loss.
- Minimize the use of curling irons and excessive blow-drying as this can cause loss too.
- Stop pulling it often caused by anxiety, boredom, and nervousness.
- Avoid making it too tight quite often as this can lead to a hairline recession.
- Massage it with oil before going to bed and wash it in the morning when you wake up and comb while it is still wet to reduce breakages. This is to help increase blood circulation to the scalp. Furthermore, combine about 10 drops of sage and rosemary essential oils and use it. You can also use olive oil. Carrot oil is also good.
- You can also brush it to increase blood flow to the scalp. Do this for about 3 minutes. It also helps in sebum distribution.
- Avoid wearing perm as it can weaken hairline and make it recede.
- Use fortifying shampoo to wash it at least 3 times a week. Ensure that during each wash you massage the shampoo well into your scalp and take a few minutes before rinsing it off.
- Use Natural Hair Loss Shampoo.
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Is It Normal To Lose Your Hair In Your 20s
Um, hi, yes, it’s absolutely normal to experience hair loss or thinning in your 20sespecially when you think about all the factors that cause it in the first place. Hair lives in a four-step cycle, not just one. It grows, it rests, it falls, and then it regenerates. And because there are are a number of different genes involved in this cycle, its super easy to upset the process, says Burg. Lucky you. Still, even though there are a ton of reasons someone may be experiencing hair loss, these are the most common:
When To Seek Help
You should consult your doctor if:
- You are losing hair in an unusual pattern
- You are losing hair rapidly or at an early age
- You have any pain or itching with the hair loss
- The skin on your scalp under the involved area is red, scaly, or otherwise abnormal
- You have acne, facial hair, or an abnormal menstrual cycle
- You have additional symptoms which concern you.
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How To Keep Your Hair From Thinning
Take these steps to preserve your strands as you age.
Can you give me thinning hair that makes me look older? said no woman ever to her stylist. Thick, vibrant hair is a hallmark of youth and vitality, which is why we all want it. Shampoo commercials promise us luscious locksplus, watch any red carpet event, and you can bet that a majority of the celebs are rocking extensions in order to fake that fullness. Many of our brides wear clip-on extensions for the same reason our celebrity clients wear them, notes Lauren E. Hack, beauty guru at LAUREN+VANESSA, because your hair will look amazing.
Sadly, as we add more candles to the birthday cake, our hair can lose some of this lusciousness. As we age, hair decreases in density and the individual hair strands become thinner, says Tsippora Shainhouse, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills and a clinical instructor at the University of Southern California. Individual hair strands have a two to seven year life cycle, but as we get older, the hair follicle shrinks and the rate of hair growth slows down, says Shainhouse. The hairs produced become much finer, until, eventually, the follicle can even stop producing new hairs, she says. Yikes. Luckily, there are steps you can take to preserve your strands. Here are five ways to deal with thinning hair.
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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Treatment For Hair Loss Is Out There
Most cases of increased shedding will gradually resolve on their own without treatment, Dr. Schlosser says. But if your hair doesn’t return to its normal fullness within nine months, see a doctor for an evaluation to find out whether something else is going on. And if you have other worrying symptoms, like itching, pain, burning, flaking, or redness, you should seek help sooner.
See your primary care provider or go directly to a dermatologist who specializes in treating hair loss. They can determine what type it is and what the right treatment approach is for you based on which therapies are currently available for your specific issue.
In addition to changes in products and hairstyling habits, your doctor may prescribe topical treatments to treat hair loss, like minoxidil, or direct you to an over-the-counter version, like Rogaine . They might also recommend treatments like platelet-rich plasma injections , which can be helpful for some patients, SELF explained previously. If youre curious about your options, check in with your doctor or dermatologist.
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How To Handle Major Hair Loss
It can be a challenge. If thin areas are easy to spot, consider a weave, a hairpiece, a scarf, or a hat. Good-quality wigs are more comfortable than ever — and they rarely have bad hair days. If hair loss affects your job or social life or makes you not want to leave the house, talk with a counselor.
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Is Menopausal Hair Loss Permanent
While some men might be able to get away with a bald look, the case may not be the same for women. Menopausal hair loss doesnt have to be permanent. There are many solutions, ranging from cosmetic and easy enough for every day, like wearing wigs and taking supplements, to medical options like hair transplants, platelet-rich plasma treatments and scalp micropigmentation.
Nutrafol Women, which received Allure magazines 2018 Breakthrough Award, is a nutraceutical supplement that has been clinically shown to improve hair growth and hair quality. Nutrafol Womens Balance is formulated specifically for women facing hair issues related to perimenopause and menopause and can help return hair to its former glory with only natural ingredients. The supplements contain clinically tested, patented ingredients that address the root causes of thinning hair and boost hair growth, including Saw Palmetto, Maca, Ashwagandha, astaxanthin and other nourishing herbs and vitamins.