Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Hair Loss in Women: Types, Causes, Treatments

women's hair thinning causes

If your haircare practices are the culprit, you’ll see breakage throughout your hair. However, isolated breakage in one spot can be a sign of alopecia areata or CCCA. Alopecia areata is an immune disease that affects almost 2% of the population in the United States. This type of hair loss affects both genders equally and can occur at any age, although it occurs most often in children and young adults. The role of estrogen in hair growth—at least in humans—is not clear.

How to combat hair loss as you age

Their counterpart female hormones, when lowered, give an edge to these androgens, such as DHT. Such an imbalance can also cause problems, including hair loss. Sudden weight loss and very restrictive diets can also cause telogen effluvium.

Causes of temporary hair loss

This condition is a type of hair loss that can be caused by "prolonged pulling or tension on the hair follicles". So, if you are a fan of a tight ponytail or intricate braids, then you may suffer from traction alopecia. And any medical conditions that lead to hair loss should be treated directly to address the condition, not just its symptoms.

How is hair loss in women treated?

Because hair is constantly falling out and growing, hair loss often goes unnoticed. You're more likely to notice it when a lot of hair enters the resting phase at the same time or if hair roots become damaged during the growth process. If you lose significant hair, it’s important to protect your scalp.

Hair Loss in Women

A healthy balanced diet is also important in stress reduction too as it can support a healthy immune system, repair damaged cells and even reduce elevated cortisol levels. Some studies suggest that telogen effluvium can also be connected to low levels of iron, so include iron-rich foods like leafy vegetables, lentils and liver where you can. If you like the idea of adding supplements to your routine, there are some which are specifically formulated to contain ingredients that increase hair thickness and health. Like men, as women age, they experience changes in their androgen levels.

There are many other potential causes of hair loss in women. Treatment options for hair loss typically depend on the cause. They can also vary according to the pattern and location of hair loss. While most causes of hair loss are treatable, some may not be. With minoxidil, you might also see hair growing in places other than your scalp (cheeks and forehead, for example).

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Nutritional supplements like vitamins, minerals, and others might be suggested by your dermatologist if your blood test indicates low levels of biotin, iron, or zinc. Additionally, if your protein intake is insufficient, your dermatologist (specialist of conditions of the skin, hair, and nails) can advise you on ways to increase it. Only consider supplementing with biotin, iron, or zinc upon confirmation of deficiencies through blood tests. Always consult with a healthcare provider if you're concerned about hair thinning or loss related to medication. They can offer guidance or potential alternatives if the medication's side effects affect your hair. "People think of hair loss or pattern baldness happening only to men," says Dr. Dawn Davis, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist..

“It’s common, especially in women of color.” It shows up as red, scaly, thick lesions that don’t usually hurt or itch. If you have a deficiency, your doctor may suggest multivitamins or supplements like iron and biotin. Don't take any supplement before checking with your doctor. They may interact with other medications or supplements you take. Most people lose anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair each day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. On days you wash your hair, you might lose up to 250 strands.

Try to reduce stress

Androgenetic alopecia, which health experts also refer to it as male pattern and female pattern baldness, results from genetic and hormonal factors. This is a type of temporary hair loss that happens when "a large number of hair follicles enter the resting phase of the hair growth cycle prematurely". That said, there are a number of possible medications and treatments for hair loss caused by female-pattern baldness and other alopecias.

Thinning hair and hair loss can be stressful, especially for women who normally have a lot of hair, triggering feelings of shame or insecurity. Thinning hair in women can occur at any age and can take different forms, such as minor thinning on the crown of the head or complete baldness. “Over time, the constant pulling damages the hair follicles, leading to thinning or bald patches, especially around the hairline or where the hair is pulled tightly. “Women with androgenetic alopecia will usually experience gradual thinning of the hair, typically on the top of the scalp and some women notice their hairline receding,” she said.

Women experience a change in hormonal levels - in particular, a drop in oestrogen levels - when they go through menopause. This can affect hair growth cycles and "often leads to thinning of the hair". For starters, know that the term “alopecia” refers to all kinds of hair loss. There are two main types of alopecia, and then a variety of forms of hair loss within those two categories. In cases of non-scarring or temporary hair loss, the missing hair will eventually grow back. With scarring or permanent hair loss, permanent damage is done to the hair follicles so they won’t grow back.

At some point, hair follicles stop growing hair, which causes the hair on our scalp to thin. “Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia tends to start on the top of the head with breakage and thinning, and often with some tenderness of the scalp,” says Dr. Goh. “It gradually spreads outward and can cause permanent hair loss.” CCCA is especially common among Black women. On top of that, she notes that the same haircare practices that create tension and cause traction alopecia also contribute to CCCA. You're unlikely to lose all of your hair with female pattern baldness. But without treatment, symptoms may get worse over time.

But you may start to notice it as early as your late teens -- and the earlier it starts, the more serious it tends to be. Hormone changes during menopause can also contribute to this type of baldness. Anyone with concerns about hair loss or who has sudden, unexpected hair loss should consult a healthcare professional.

women's hair thinning causes

The medication works by prolonging the growth phase of hair, giving your hair more time to grow out. Once the stress goes away, your hair may get back to normal in 6-9 months. You can have hair loss as a result of physical stress, like when you give birth or have surgery, or intense emotional stress, like a death in the family, divorce, or unemployment. Hair loss can happen a couple of weeks to 6 months after any stressful experience.

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