SEVEN CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN
It is not just you
While it might not feel like it, hair loss is surprisingly common in women - the only difference is what is causing the hair loss.
Here are seven possible causes of hair loss in women to help you take control of your situation.
1. Genetics
The different factors you may have read about can make it confusing, but in fact female pattern hair loss is the most common hair loss, without question.
While certain lifestyle factors can have an impact on your hair’s thickness, before you start blaming your diet or blow dryer, get to know the facts behind the science of genetic hair loss.
Female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or hereditary hair loss, is an inherited condition, which reduces the time that the hair spends actively growing. AGA causes the hair follicles to become smaller and slowly, thinner, lighter hair replace your usual hair. Female pattern hair loss is a general loss of the hair, with the most prominent hair loss happening on the top of the head and along the part. REGAINE® treatments regrow hair in women with female pattern loss only.
2. Stress
Stress or a traumatic event can cause temporary hair loss, or telogen effluvium. The effects of this can push significant numbers of your follicles into a resting phase. In the case of shock, sudden shock hair loss may be noticeable one to two months after a shock. Stress-related hair loss does not have to be permanent. Your hair may grow back when you control your stress.
3. Pregnancy
Changes in hormones levels can cause hair loss in women. A fall in estrogen levels causes more hair follicles to go into the resting phase. Known as post-partum alopecia, this type of hair loss is usually short lived. Women experiencing an unusual amount of hair loss after giving birth will see things return to normal after about six to twelve months.
4. Diet
Crash dieting can be another trigger for hair loss in women, by causing follicles to go into a resting phase. However, this isn’t the only way that diet can cause hair loss. A lack of nutrients such as iron or protein in your diet can also cause hair loss in women. Hair may grow back when nutrient deficiencies are corrected, but it may take a few months.
5. Alopecia Areata
Another non-hereditary hair loss cause is alopecia areata; this autoimmune disorder results in totally smooth, round hairless patches on the scalp. This may happen quickly and lead to complete hair loss. If you have no history of hair loss in your family and are experiencing this kind of hair loss, consult your doctor.
6. Over styling
Braids, ponytails, cornrows, and extensions can all pull on your hair, resulting in hair loss that can lead to a condition known as traction alopecia. To avoid permanent damage, opt for hairstyles that put less tension on your hair.
7. Thyroid Issues
Changes in hormone levels can cause hair loss in women. The thyroid gland regulates hormone levels; therefore, those with thyroid disorders could potentially be affected by hair loss. In the majority of cases, hair should grow back when the thyroid disorder is treated.
