Hair is one of the standards by which women measure their beauty. Good grooming includes dressing, make-up and hair. Society will also pass judgment on a woman, depending on how her hair looks. It is, therefore, no wonder that women spend money and time taking care of their hair.
However, hair loss is something that some women have to deal with. It may start gradually, but the result is the same. You end up losing your crowning glory, which can be devastating. Fortunately, there are fantastic hair loss products for women in the market.
But, it helps to have a good understanding of what can lead to hair loss. We will go into an in-depth discussion on the topic in our article below.
What Factors Can Contribute To Hair Loss In Women
During your routine grooming, you may start to notice that you are losing quite a bit of hair. It may happen when you're brushing your hair. Even when washing, it seems to shed a little bit more than usual. When you wake up, you may have clumps on your pillow.
Initially, you may not think too much of it. But over time, you start to notice that it is getting worse. Unfortunately, more than 50% of the female population will notice hair loss at some point in their life. This is according to research by the Cleveland Clinic.
Celebrities like Ricki Lake and Jada Pinkett Smith have been vocal about their struggle with hair loss. It starts with accepting what is happening and then having to face stigma around it. Lack of understanding and societal pressures to have a full head of hair can be emotionally draining.
Different factors may contribute to hair loss in women and men. Such include:-
- The Normal Aging Process
Age comes with many complications. Some people are able to keep a full head of hair throughout their lives. For others, aging may result in hair loss. It typically manifests as thinning or receding of the hairline.
- Hormonal Changes
If you have had a baby, you may start to notice hair loss after delivery. For some, it occurs even during pregnancy. The good news is that your hair will most likely grow back. Other hormonal changes may occur due to menopause. The lowering of estrogen levels will have an impact on hair growth.
Certain medications that interfere with the hormone balance, such as birth control pills, may also contribute to hair loss.
- Diet
Poor dietary habits may result in deficiencies of essential minerals that aid in hair growth. Weight loss methods such as extreme dieting can be harmful to the body and hair. It is important to include plenty of proteins and iron in your diet.
Too much Vitamin A may make you lose your hair. For an adult woman, you should not exceed a daily dosage of 5000 international units (IU). The advantage is once you stabilize your vitamin A intake to the correct levels, your hair will stop falling out.
- Stress
Stress will result in hair loss due to high levels of cortisol. Extreme events that may shock the body, such as surgery, childbirth, weight loss, and illness can result in hair loss. Experts refer to this type of hair loss as telogen effluvium. It tends to occur during the resting stage of the hair cycle.
Here is the interesting part; stress-related hair loss may take up to three months before you start to notice it. A dermatologist may recommend Minoxidil to help with circulation around the follicles allowing for regeneration.
- Genetics
Your genetic make-up will determine whether you lose hair at some point. It results in female pattern hair loss or androgenic alopecia. The process is gradual, only becoming more noticeable the older you grow. It may be attributable to loss of estrogen as you go through menopause.
Monoxide and Propecia or Finasteride treatment may help with the problem. If the situation is severe, you can opt for grafting or hair transplants.
- Illnesses
Certain medications and treatments like chemotherapy and radiation will have an impact on your hair. It may result in anagen effluvium hair loss, which occurs during the growth stage. This type of hair loss can be permanent if damage occurs to the hair follicles.
Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism will also lead to hair loss. In this case, you must treat the underlying condition first.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease that can attack anyone at any age. A dermatologist may prescribe oral, topical or injectable treatments.
Lupus is another autoimmune disease that results in your immune system basically attacking your body. It is common for patients to have hair loss. It could be due to the disease itself or the medications.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes hormonal imbalances in the body. Increase in androgen results in weight gain, ovarian cysts, Infertility and even hair loss.
- Styling
Over manipulation in terms of the hairstyles you choose to have can lead to hair loss. Very tight cornrows, braids, or ponytails will pull out your hair, resulting in traction alopecia.
Excessive heat can result in inflammations and interfere with the normal growth cycle. Depending on the severity, you may permanently damage your hair follicles. In such an instance, you will never be able to grow a hair strand from that follicle again.
Avoid harmful products where you introduce very harsh chemicals to your hair. Improper product usage also plays a role. It is especially serious if the person handling the application does not have the relevant knowledge or expertise.
Adapt better hair practices to avoid hair loss. Do not brush your hair when it is wet. Hydrate well, massage your scalp and if possible, let your hair dry naturally. Do not strip the hair's natural oils by washing with hot water. Embrace a more active lifestyle so that you avoid stress and can achieve better overall health.
The Truth About Hair Loss
The truth is hair loss is a normal occurrence. Your hair cycle undergoes certain steps, including growth, shedding and regeneration. You may lose up to 150 strands within a day. It starts to get concerning when you see a noticeable increase in the amount of hair you're losing. In the United States, for example, over 30 million women live with Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL).
Hair loss does not have an age or race barrier. You can start to lose your hair at a very early age or later in life. It is, however, more common in women over the age of 40.
What To Do When You Start To Experience Hair Loss
When you start to experience hair loss, consult a doctor. The first thing is to determine whether any underlying medical conditions could be contributing to the hair loss. The doctor, depending on the prognosis, may then refer you to a dermatologist for specialized attention.
Change those harmful habits that could be exacerbating the hair loss condition. Avoid extreme or yoyo dieting, and be more mindful of your nutrition. Do not over manipulate your hair, and only use top quality hair products.
Final Thoughts
Hair loss can be devastating for anyone. There are, however, products and treatments available that can help you grow back your hair. It is important to consult a doctor before embarking on any treatment course.
