Hair loss has become a very common problem today. Men and women of young and middle ages are both affected by this problem.
When it comes to specific details of hair loss in men and women, there are significant differences, from the causes to the nature of the problem, to its treatment and prevention.
In this article, we will particularly discuss the causes of hair loss in women, what are the symptoms and complications. We will also look at various treatments and prevention tips for hair loss in women.
Introduction to Hair Loss
There is hair on almost every surface of your body. Your hair is primarily made of dead, keratin (the main protein in your skin that makes up your hair, nails, and the surface layer of the skin) cells.
Hair loss (known as alopecia) can affect just your scalp or your entire body, and it can be temporary or permanent.
It refers to a loss of hair from any part of your head or your body. Hair loss is usually a result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions, or a normal part of ageing.
What Causes Hair Loss in Women?
Women love their hair, whether it is straight, wavy, curly, or coily. Although one-third of the women experience hair loss at one point in their life, hair loss can be a devastating experience for most of them.
In women, hair loss starts along their part. Androgenetic alopecia or female-pattern baldness (FPHL) is caused by genetics or family history. In women, there are several other reasons that may cause hair loss.
1. Hormonal Imbalances: Hormonal imbalances or variations in estrogen, progesterone, and androgens, in females, can lead to various health issues.
The most common result of hormonal imbalance is a condition called PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), caused due to excess production of androgen. These excess androgens trigger hair thinning on the scalp. Thinning hair refers to minor to moderate hair loss.
Hormones also reduce during menopause (natural cessation of your menstrual cycle), leading to hair thinning. This is related to a lowered production of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones help hair grow faster and stay on the head for longer periods of time.
Another hormone that affects your hair is the thyroid hormone (hormones that regulate your body's metabolic rate, and that control your heart, muscle, and digestive function).
If you have an underactive or overactive thyroid, then hair thinning, hair fall, brittle hair, dry hair, etc., will occur.
Lastly, your primary stress hormone, called cortisol disrupts your hair cycle and causes sudden hair loss and hair thinning.
2. Pregnancy: Pregnancy is the period in which a fetus (baby-to-be) develops inside your womb. The hormonal changes that take place during your pregnancy might cause hair loss. This occurs in around 40% to 50% of women.
Some women may experience hair thinning and shedding due to stress or shock. The good news is that- this hair loss is not permanent!
3. A Faulty Diet: A lack of protein in your diet can lead to hair loss.
Eating adequate protein is important for hair growth because your hair follicles are made of protein. Besides protein, a deficiency of other vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, calcium, iron or vitamin B12 can also cause hair loss.
4. Stress: Work pressure, family issues, or any other kind of emotional trauma can result in hair loss. High levels of stress hormone, cortisol, in your body can inhibit the function of your hair follicles.
When high levels of cortisol are present, your adrenal glands begin to produce fewer hormones that promote your hair growth.
5. External Pollutants:
Direct and overexposure to the harmful UV (ultraviolet) radiation from the sun can damage your hair and make it dull. Dull and dry hair tends to fall off easily.
Air pollution, which primarily consists of harmful chemicals released from industrial activity and vehicles, along with dust and dirt, have a direct impact on the cells of your scalp.
6. Genetic/Hereditary Causes: It is noted that genes (the basic physical and functional unit of heredity) also play a part in hair loss.
If you have family members with female-pattern baldness (FPHL), then you are most likely to experience hair loss as well.
7. Diseases: Infections like typhoid, dengue, etc., can precipitate acute hair loss in women.
Typhoid is a bacterial infection that can lead to a high fever, diarrhoea, and vomiting. Antibiotics used for typhoid treatment can cause hair loss.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne fever caused by the dengue virus. Your hair loss can last up to 1-2 months after acute dengue infection, mainly because of medications, or hormonal stress.
8. Lifestyle: Chemically treated hair or excessive use of hair equipment may damage your hair and make it more prone to breakage.
9. Medication: Antihypertensives (drugs used to treat high blood pressure), antidepressants (drugs used to treat depression, social anxiety disorder, and anxiety disorders), etc., taken for a long time may cause hair fall.
Symptoms of Hair Loss
Gradual thinning on top of your head
Sudden loosening of your hair
Circular or patchy bald spots
Full-body hair loss, in some cases
Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp
Prevention of Hair Loss
While some factors are really out of your hands (though fixed easily by treatment), you can try following home remedies and tips to prevent hair loss.
1. Eat a balanced diet. Eating a balanced diet with the right amount of vitamins, minerals, and proteins in your food can prevent or reduce hair loss. If you are pregnant, you may have to pay more attention to your diet.
Foods that promote hair growth are eggs, spinach, berries, fatty-acids, sweet potatoes, nuts, seeds, avocados, yoghurt, oatmeal, etc.
2. Avoid overindulging in parlour treatments like smoothening, straightening, and colouring. Choose your hair product wisely and use them in moderation.
Excessive hairstyling or hairstyles that pull your hair tight can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Hot-oil hair treatments and permanents also can cause hair to fall out.
3. Protect your hair from dirt, dust, and pollution. Keeping your hair protected from dust particles and pollutants will keep your hair follicles and scalp cells protected, reducing or preventing hair loss.
Wrap your hair in a scarf or wear a hat to keep it from coming in contact with air pollutants and dust.
4. Avoid excessive hair oiling. Oiling your hair daily or leaving oil on your hair every day for too can clog your pores, attract and accumulate dirt. This can lead to hair loss. It is recommended to oil your hair only once or two times a week.
5. Frequent shampooing. Contrary to popular belief, frequent shampooing of your hair does not damage or cause hair loss. Shampooing helps clean your hair and get rid of dust, dirt, oil and pollutants.
Using the right shampoo will reduce the side-effects of chemically loaded shampoos and other hair care products.
Check with your dermatologist as to how many times a week you can shampoo your hair.
Treatment for Hair Loss
Every patient with hair loss is different. What works well for your friends may not be the right solution for your hair loss concerns, which is why you need to see a dermatologist in case the above home remedies do not help.
Depending on the diagnosis, your doctor can recommend either of the following common treatments for hair loss:
1. Multivitamins for hair loss. Hair loss vitamins such as Biotin, Niacin (Vitamin B3) and Vitamin C, and minerals for hair loss such as Zinc and Iron, provide essential hair nutrients to promote the growth of healthy and longer hair.
Eating enough of these key hair growth vitamins (as prescribed by your doctor) can help prevent hair loss in both men and women.
2. Hair growth peptides serums. Peptides are “smaller proteins,” when applied to your hair and scalp, cause changes in cell behaviour, stimulate follicle growth, and promote natural hair production.
Peptide therapy will help target and send signals to the cells and cause a reaction that will stimulate positive changes.
3. Non-surgical options like mesotherapy, platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), hair growth stimulation laser, and microneedling, are a few other popular treatments for hair loss.
Consult your dermatologist to understand more about each of these treatments.
Hair loss can be stressful if it does not stop after about 3 to 4 months. If you notice bouts of sudden hair loss, consult your dermatologist without any delay.
Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.