Loose strands clog up your shower drain or an ever-scrawnier ponytail looks upsetting in recent times or your carpet turns into a hairy rug but these don’t necessarily mean anything's wrong. On average, we lose around 50-100 strands a day, if you begin to shed drastically more than that or you notice they aren't growing back, well, that's when things start to get a bit hairy.
About one-third of women experience hair loss (alopecia) or reduced hair volume at some point in their lifetime. Nearly two-thirds of postmenopausal women suffer from hair thinning and bald spots. Almost 95 percent of female hair loss is androgenetic, meaning that it results from hormonal changes, as in pregnancy or menopause. It’s commonly more expected and accepted that men lose their hair. But when women begin to lose theirs, the psychological damage can be just as demoralizing as any serious disease, taking an emotional toll that can directly affect physical health. According to a 2012 study by the National Institutes of Health, 30 percent of women suffering from hair loss reported two or more symptoms of depression.
So it's important not to freak out if you are losing strands, your mane will make progress. Meanwhile, here are few things you need to know...
The most common causes of women’s hair loss:
There are many causes for female hair loss but the most common cause of progressive hair loss in women is FPHL (Female Pattern Hair Loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia).
Female pattern hair loss has a distinctive progression. Hair thins mostly on the top and crown of the scalp, typically beginning with a widening of the center hair part. FPHL is characterized by miniaturization of the hair follicles, where the hair follicles become smaller and produce thinner, shorter, brittler hairs, and can eventually stop producing any hair. The hair follicles not only miniaturize but also fade away with a reduction in the total number of follicles.
Unlike men, women tend to keep their hairline (except for normal recession) and this is known as a “Ludwig classification,” which involves thinning hair directly behind the hairline.
The hair loss in women will not usually result in total baldness, as it can in men.
Type I: mild stage- Most women may have may not notice that hair loss has occurred, as the frontal hairline remains relatively unaffected. Hair loss may take place on the top and front of the scalp.
Type II: moderate- In this stage, women may notice each of the following: a general decrease in volume, thinning, shedding and a center part that continues to widen over time.
Type III: extreme stage - In this stage, hair is so thin that it is difficult to camouflage the scalp, rendering it visible to the naked eye.
Alopecia can severely affect a woman's quality of life and emotional well-being. When it comes to hair loss in women, there are so many potential triggers, which mean it can be a little complicated to identify the exact reason why hair strands are falling out, and henceforth, how to figure out the treatment for the situation.
Treatment options
Minoxidil: The only treatment FDA-approved for female pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia is minoxidil. Your doctor or a dermatologist might prescribe the application of minoxidil to the scalp every day. It works by prolonging the growth phase of the hair follicles and slows down or stops hair loss. Minoxidil can actually encourage new hair to grow in up to a quarter of the women who take it. It’s usually recommended that men can use the 5% formula while women use minoxidil 2%.
Spironolactone: This is a diuretic, which is used to remove the excess fluid from the body. The medication also acts to decrease the effects of androgens in several ways. It exerts competitive blockade on androgen receptors and reduces adrenal androgen production. According to a retrospective study published in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, almost 75 percent of women with female pattern hair loss found spironolactone to show ‘improvement or stabilization’ at 100- to 200-mg daily doses. However, it is important to understand that this medication must be used "long term” and it may interact with some medications so make sure to tell your physician all medications you take.
Supplements: Persons who have severe iron deficiency anemia also may experience hair loss. Hair follicle cells can be especially sensitive to declining levels of iron and may not be able to grow new cells as effectively when iron stores are low. Then the doctor might prescribe an iron supplement and other supplements, such as biotin and folic acid for thick hair.
Laser treatment: Low level laser hair therapy (LLLT) is a non-invasive breakthrough for women suffering the devastating effects of hair loss. With low level laser hair therapy, you can improve hair follicle renewal minus the surgery, patient incompatibility or scarring. Also referred to as red light therapy and cold laser therapy, this irradiates photons into scalp tissues which are in turn absorbed by weak cells to encourage hair growth. It’s widely accepted that the procedure is safe, tolerable, and non- invasive.
Hair transplant: This is a more permanent solution. During this procedure, the doctor will remove a thin strip of hair from one part of the scalp and implant it to an area with hair loss. Hair transplant Techniques have become so advanced in recent years that FUE and FUT hair transplants can overturn female - or male -pattern baldness to the point where no one will find out that you were ever losing your hair.
Prevention of hair loss in women tips
First things first - Don’t freak out: Losing your locks can leave you feeling stressed, but it’s extremely important to realise how common female hair loss is – and that if you have hair loss issues, you are not the only one experiencing and it is nothing to be embarrassed about.
- Eat a healthy diet and make sure your diet includes plenty of hair nutrients
- Reduce your time in the sun as too much exposure can damage your hair.
- Get smart about hair styling - stay away from hairstyles that pull on the hairline
- Use natural hair products targeted to restore hair growth
- Try to let your hair dry naturally and ditch hair tools that use high heat
- Please restrain from brushing the hair when it is wet and fragile.
- Don’t skip the scalp massage and consider using essential oils
Dr. Priya’s Skin & Hair Clinic is the best answer to all skin and hair conditions in Bangalore. This aesthetically designed clinic headed by clinical and aesthetic dermatologist Dr. Priya J Talageri in one of the easily accessible location in Bangalore, which adheres to the latest Evidence- Based Medicine and cosmetology-related needs of patients. They provide comprehensive care in all different disciplines of dermatology and
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