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Men are statistically more likely to experience balding. However, hair loss affects nearly 40% of women, but with fewer resources, women may be left with more questions than answers about their hair loss.
Women lose hair for many different reasons and at all different stages in life. To best cope, treat, and understand hair loss, it’s vital to know the different causes of hair loss and what proactive steps you can take toward regaining hair.
Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic Alopecia is generally hereditary and causes thinning hair all over the scalp in females. Typically, unbalanced hormones from birth control pills, pregnancy, menopause or ovarian cysts cause this type of hair loss. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone in both men and women that can become unbalanced and cause the hair follicles to shrink, resulting in hair loss. This type of hair loss is oftentimes temporary and hair may grow back shortly after hormones stabilize.
What Can You Do?
At the first sign of hair loss, visit your doctor and have your hormones levels tested. It’s important to understand what’s going on in your body and what beneficial steps you can take. Your doctor may recommend a prescription, switching medications, lifestyle changes or a topical treatment.
Another option is Minoxidil for women. Minoxidil 2% has been clinically proven to regain hair in women and is available in many forms such as Minoxidil shampoo, foam or cream. The topical hair growth solution may not resolve hormone imbalances within the body, but Minoxidil products may reduce the amount of hair loss and promote new growth.
Adopting a healthy, active lifestyle helps keep hair healthy and strong. A diet rich in B vitamins, iron, protein, and fatty acids may help regain hair.
Telogen Effluvium
Often triggered by a traumatic event caused by malnutrition, surgery, childbirth, infection, or extreme stress, Telogen Effluvium hair loss may provoke up to 90% of hair to fall out in females. Telogen Effluvium generally occurs six to 12 weeks after the period of intense physical or mental stress. Typically, hair will begin growing back shortly after the shedding as long as stress levels are maintained.
What Can You Do?
Generally, Telogen Effluvium will cease and correct itself with time. However, working to maintain healthy stress levels may help to avoid Telogen Effluvium. Some women find meditation, exercise, and confiding in others provides stress relief.
Ensure you’re eating a nutrient-rich diet that contains plenty of protein, iron and macronutrients. Malnutrition can cause Telogen Effluvium, and according to the American Academy of Dermatology, after just two to three months of not consuming enough of a single macronutrient, hair loss may begin.
A Minoxidil solution may promote quicker, thicker hair growth once hair begins to grow back. Minoxidil results in follicle stimulation, and has been clinically proven to support healthy hair growth. Dermatologists often recommend Minoxidil for female hair loss treatment.
Anagen Effluvium
Caused by disturbances in the hair follicle, Anagen Effluvium is most commonly caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Both chemo and radiation therapy destroy dividing cancer cells, which causes other dividing cells, like hair follicle cells, to fall out. Anagen Effluvium caused by chemotherapy typically results in 90% hair loss.
Another root of Anagen Effluvium is Trichotillomania, which is an obsessive-compulsive type of disorder that causes individuals to pull out hair from all over the body. Trichotillomania can result in mild, moderate or extreme hair loss.
What Can You Do?
Unfortunately, there is little to nothing you can do to regain hair while going through chemotherapy or radiation therapy. However, once therapy treatments are completed, consuming a nutritious diet will help ensure optimal hair growth. Topical Minoxidil products may also be beneficial for those having difficulty regaining hair.
Trichotillomania is a disorder that is often treated through cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication, and other types of support and therapy groups.
Traction Alopecia
Traction Alopecia is caused by hairstyles that put intense stress onto the hair follicles. Hairstyles like cornrows, hair extensions, and tight braids and ponytails may cause Traction Alopecia and can cause permanent hair loss. However, if the damaging hairstyle is halted soon enough, hair will grow back normally.
What Can You Do?
The most obvious answer is to not wear hair in tight, damaging hairstyles, and if you do happen to wear a tight style on occasion, ensure to take out the style before going to bed.
If hair loss has already occurred from Traction Alopecia, a Minoxidil direct solution may help stimulate healthy hair growth. Minoxidil 2% is typically the dose used for women, and the topical hair growth solution has shown success in clinical trials.
Hair loss can be devastating, especially for women, but understanding the root causes of hair loss can provide some comfort. Taking proactive steps to regain hair or prevent hair loss is beneficial, but women may find it especially beneficial and motivational to seek out a hair loss support group. Confiding in individuals about hair loss may promote a healthy, positive outlook.
Find female Minoxidil products at BIOVEA.