When hair loss happens to women
/When hair loss happens to women
When we think of thinning hair, images of a balding or completely bald man come to mind – rarely do we associate it with women. That includes advertisements for thinning hair which are almost always targeted to men. Yet, up to 50 percent of all women will experience hair loss at some point in their life. Unlike men, hair loss in women typically does not result in going completely bald. But for women whose hair has thinned to the point of seeing their scalp, it can be devastating taking an emotional toll that can affect their physical and psychological health.
A woman’s pride and glory is often her hair and it plays a huge role in many women’s lives. It is not unusual for a woman to base whether her day is going to be good or bad depending on how her hair looks. That is why women with thinning hair may panic at the thought of losing a part of her looks that she takes for granted that it will always be there for life.
Most women who do notice their hair becoming thinned out, are usually in their 50s and older. However, hair loss can happen at any age and for a variety of reasons. To understand hair loss, it helps to have an understanding of how hair grows which is in three different cycles – anagen, catagen, and telogen. Each phase has their own unique duration of how long the hair stays on the head and when it naturally falls out.
Both men and women will lose anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair each day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. On a day that hair is washed, up to 250 strands may come out and be lost. It is still advisable to keep washing hair though as those hairs were getting ready to fall out anyway.
How to know if hair is thinning out
There are ways women can tell if their hair is thinning besides looking in the mirror. One way is if there are a large amount of strands of hair on her pillow upon waking up in the morning. Another way is when after combing or brushing hair, there are more strands of hair than usual left in the hair tool.
Visually, women may notice her hair thinning on the top third of her scalp, which is typically were it occurs. It may get to the point where the scalp is quite visible among the hair that is left.
Causes of thinning hair in women
A type of progressive hair loss in women is called female pattern hair loss (FPHL) also known as androgenetic alopecia. This is the most common cause of hair loss affecting up to 30 million women in the U.S. FPHL has a distinct pattern on hair loss which occurs mainly on the top and crown of the scalp. What is happening is the hair follicles are becoming smaller and are producing shorter, thinner, more brittle hairs and eventually the follicles will stop producing any hair. Not only are the hair follicles becoming smaller but they are reducing in the total number left. Fortunately, total hair loss in women is rare.
Possible causes of hair loss in women
It is not completely understood the reason for female hair loss but there several possibilities that could be the culprit:
· Menopause
Before the age of 50, up to 50 percent of women will have some degree of hair loss or thinning of their hair. Once they have gone through menopause, the hair loss may accelerate. The reason for this is due to the drop in the hormone estrogen which supports a woman’s growth of hair.
· Stress or trauma
Stressful or traumatic events such as going through a divorce or loss of a loved one can lead to excessive hair loss or shedding over several months afterwards. Other stressful situations that can result in loss of hair are sudden or excessive weight gain, loss of a job or having surgery. Usually the shedding of hair is temporary and normal but if the stress persist then it could last longer.
· Underlying medical condition
Any illness or medical condition can also bring on the loss of hair. This can include diabetes, thyroid disease, lupus, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or anemia. Sometimes it is hair loss that may be the first sign a woman has an underlying condition.
· Excessive dieting and poor nutrition
A healthy, nutrient-filled diet is vital to maintaining a healthy head of hair. If a woman is eating poorly which is defined as an insufficient protein intake, low iron stores, low vitamin D and calcium, her hair often suffers. Taking supplements are not the answer to make up for a poor diet. It is far better for a woman to eat real food that provides not only nutrients but also antioxidants and phytochemicals to nourish her hair.
· Self-afflicted damage to the hair
Women who always wear their hair pulled back too tight in a bun or ponytail or frequently wear it in cornrows or braids, causes undue stress to the hair known as traction alopecia.
In fact, just about all things women to do their hair to manipulate it – dyes, chemical treatments, bad brushes, blow dryers, straighteners, and curling wands, can result in breakage and damage. This also includes getting too aggressive when towel drying wet hair or brushing the hair too much.
Treating hair loss
The first step a woman needs to take is to inspect her hair regularly for thinning hair. If it is becoming thinned out, she needs to see a dermatologist to determine the cause. Depending on the cause, they can tell a woman what to expect. Sometimes hair may begin to grow again or it may be as simple as making a change to allow hair to start re-growing.
The dermatologist may also recommend taking the over-the-counter medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration for female pattern hair loss called minoxidil. This topical treatment can help slow or stop hair loss in about one in four or five women.