If you are like most people, when you think about hair loss, your mind likely jumps to bald men first. However, despite this common association, hair loss is common in women also. The majority of women will experience some form of hair loss during their lifetimes. While it may not be as dramatic or as sudden as male pattern baldness, female hair loss deserves attention and treatment in the same way.
Female Hair Loss
Female hair loss is significantly more common than most people believe. In fact, an estimated 40% of hair loss sufferers in the U.S. are women.
Part of the reason that many people do not notice female hair loss as much is because it often isn’t as dramatic as male pattern baldness. Most women experience a loss in hair density rather than clear bald spots or a receding hairline.
Nonetheless, like their male counterparts, women who experience hair loss often struggle with it. Many do whatever they can to improve their hair health and avoid further loss.
Understanding the types, causes and treatments for hair loss can help you better handle this difficult situation.
Common Types of Hair Loss in Women
Everyone loses hair every day. It is natural and healthy to lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day. At this rate, you should grow roughly an equal number of new hairs. However, if your hair loss increases and/or you start growing fewer new hairs, you may start to experience noticeable hair loss.
This may happen suddenly or over time. There are a few different ways you may experience hair loss, each with different causes.
Thinning
The most common way for women to experience this problem is thinning. In other words, you have fewer hairs per square inch than you previously had. This is primarily linked with androgenetic alopecia or female pattern baldness (the same condition as male pattern baldness).
Typically, this happens slowly and is often linked with genetics. Hair thinning may be roughly even across the scalp or may be more noticeable along the hairline and part. Most women do not experience a receding hairline. Instead, it is more common for women’s hairlines to thin but remain in the same place.
Bald Patches or Total Baldness
Patchy hair loss or complete hair loss is less common among women. It is primarily linked with autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata. This type of hair loss often happens suddenly.
Both men and women can experience bald patches or complete hair loss. Whereas for men bald patches are associated with androgenetic alopecia, that symptom is far less typical for women.
If you experience sudden hair loss, addressing the problem promptly can help you to deal with it more effectively. Speak to a healthcare professional as soon as possible because there is likely a health-related underlying cause.
Shedding
Another reason for sudden hair loss is shedding. This manifests as an accelerated form of natural hair loss. Rather than losing a few dozen hairs per day, you may lose hundreds. It can appear in patches or evenly across the scalp.
Shedding is separate from balding because it is often trauma-induced. However, the cause does not need to be at the scalp. Childbirth and surgery may cause this form of hair loss.
The good news with shedding is that it is often temporary. You can regrow your hair afterward. Stress can be a major factor contributing to shedding. Of course, identifying whether hair loss is due to shedding or another issue may require expert help.
Breakage
This is not technically hair loss, but it can look at lot like it to the average person. In this case, your hair breaks close to the scalp. The entire hair may appear to fall out but it is actually just the majority of a strand. The follicle is still in place and healthily growing hair.
Breakage near the scalp may be caused by severe damage to the hair protein. It can be caused by bleach, heat and other common hair treatments. If you experience this, you likely need to improve your hair care routine.
Causes of Hair Loss
Despite how many people think about hair loss, it is more a symptom than a diagnosis. Many people experience hair loss for a variety of reasons. These are some of the most common causes:
Androgenetic Alopecia
This is female pattern hair loss (male pattern hair loss in men). It is primarily associated with genetics and will usually result in thinning hair. Although this is often genetic, it can be treated or even reversed. This may also be caused by conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, which increases levels of testosterone.
Autoimmune Disease
Many autoimmune diseases cause hair loss. Alopecia areata is the most commonly associated with hair loss, although it is a rare condition. This can cause total hair loss including eyebrows and lashes.
Medicine
Sometimes medicine can cause hair thinning or shedding. For example, chemotherapy is the most commonly associated treatment with hair loss. Fortunately, this is often reversible after the treatment is concluded.
Vitamin Deficiency
Deficient vitamin D and B12 levels may cause hair loss. This can typically be treated by improving the levels of these vitamins.
Thyroid Issues
Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism may both cause hair loss in women. If you see a medical professional about hair loss, this will likely be something they test for. This can be treated by addressing the root issue first then the hair loss.
Traction Alopecia
Some people, especially those with long hair, put too much stress on their hair when styling it. Tight hairstyles and excessive friction can cause hair loss.
Listen to your body. If you think something is wrong and you notice hair loss, speak with a medical professional for help.
Effective Hair Loss Treatments for Women
While many people make their peace with hair loss, almost no one wants to be in this situation. Fortunately, you don’t have to simply settle for losing your hair. There are some great modern treatments that will help you fight back against various types of hair loss.
Revita Shampoo and Conditioner
This shampoo and conditioner combo includes ingredients to help combat hair loss and improve the growth and healthiness of new hairs. Ketoconazole and caffeine help block dihydrotestosterone, a hormone closely associated with hair loss. Biotin, copper peptides, taurine and other ingredients promote healthier hair follicles.
Revita Tablets
This supplement is especially useful for common types of female hair loss. It is a daily supplement that supports hair health and density. Biotin, melatonin, apple extract, melatonin and other clinically-proven ingredients help you ensure the lasting health of your new hairs and follicles.
Spectral.CSF
Many women find this topical treatment. It is one of the few specifically designed to help fight female hair loss. Spectral.CSF can improve follicular bulb size, reduce scalp sensitivity and fortify hair against traction hair loss. Better yet, this formula is very light and practically invisible on your hair.
Spectral.DNC-N
This topical treatment features Nanoxidil, a superior alternative to the common minoxidil hair treatment. It helps open up ion channels in the scalp to improve follicle health. This advanced therapy can keep working for up to 12 hours, much longer than more conventional alternatives.
Don’t Settle for Hair Loss
You don’t have to accept that you are losing your hair. If you are unhappy that your hair feels thinner than it once did, check out DS Laboratories’ hair health products. You’ll be glad you chose to do something about it when your hair feels stronger and healthier than ever.