Years ago, female hair loss seemed like a myth, and people thought only men experienced it. But today, we see increasing cases of women who are also dealing with hair loss problems.
We all lose some amount of hair, about 80 strands a day, to be exact, but what happens when you find yourself coming up with chunks of hair with every brushstroke? No, it’s not time to panic.
Understanding the causes of hair loss can help you give it the most effective treatment and deal with any underlying illness in disguise.
You may have noticed your hair starting to thin out or have bald patches on your scalp, or perhaps the hair loss is even more noticeable on your body hairs. Whatever the issue, hair loss can be indicative of many things. There is no single reason for women to lose hair. One or many combined factors can cause you to lose hair. These many reasons can be classified into two broad factors; they are Genetic and Reactive.
Why Am I Losing Hair?
Genetic Hair Loss
Hair loss is genetic when a woman has a family history of hair loss. It is called Androgenic Alopecia (female or male-patterned baldness), and the telltale signs of hair loss are usually visible as the woman starts to advance in age. This hair loss is generally found at the thinning hair on the crown of her head, usually where she parts her hair.
For genetic hair loss, it is caused by the hair follicles being sensitive to the male hormones. This causes the hair follicles to shrink, resulting in shorter and less voluminous hair growth. This type of hair loss is the most common type found in women.
When hair loss is not a result of a family history of patterned baldness, it is usually due to a reaction to something, a trigger. This type of hair loss is known as Telogen Effluvium. It is resultant from an internal imbalance or irregularity. Let’s examine the common reactive hair loss causes:
- Medication
Losing hair can occur when you recently started to take a particular type of drug or medication. It may be a side effect of taking such medicine or medical treatment and may sometimes only be temporary. Some medications for certain chronic illnesses such as cancer, gout, heart problems, arthritis, etc., may cause this.
- Hormonal Changes or Medical Conditions
Changes in a woman’s hormones can also cause hair loss. Hormonal changes can be as a result of childbirth, menopause, pregnancy, etc. Some medical conditions can lead to hair loss. Thyroid problems like Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism; Skin scarring issues like ringworm, dandruff, scalp psoriasis; and autoimmune health conditions like celiac disease are all possible causes of hair loss. In cases of autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the hair follicles (Alopecia Areata).
- Stress
As weird as it may seem, severe stress can leave your hair in shambles. Whether it is physical or emotional stress, it can raise your male hormone levels higher than usual, causing hair loss to get triggered. This type of hair loss is temporary for many people.
- Nutrition Deficiency
Lack of special types of vitamins in the body can cause hair loss. One of the essential vitamins we need includes Vitamin B3 and B12. Your hair also needs iron, zinc, and plenty of protein. Deficiency in these vitamins and nutrients can cause hair shedding.
Poor eating habits can also trigger hair loss. If the hair follicles are not being fed with the right meals for growth, the hair follicles start to die and shed.
- Excessive Hairstyling or Processing
Frequently wearing hairstyles that are too tight can pull out your hair from the roots, and harsh chemicals in your hair products can also lead to hair loss.
Reactive Hair Loss
The Major Signs of Hair Loss in Women
These are the most common telltale signs that you’re losing hair as a woman:
- Bald spots
- Thinning hair
- Complete hair loss
- A handful of hair after combing or washing
A few of these hair loss causes may be entirely treatable, while some, like genetics, can only be managed. Laser hair growth treatment is one sure method of rejuvenating your hair follicles to spur hair regrowth, no matter the type of hair loss you’re dealing with. You can use a clinically proven non-invasive Laser Hair Growth Cap for positive results.
To boost your vitamin levels, we recommend taking hair growth supplements for faster hair growth. It is also wise to improve your nutrition with protein-based meals.
Conclusion
Losing hair can be significantly live-changing for many women. But don’t fret; it’s more common than you may realize and can be managed. Knowing and addressing the root of the hair problem with the right hair regrowth measures can be all the help you need.