Feb 12
15
Female Hair Loss: The Causes and Solutions
It is commonly accepted that as men age, the vast majority will undergo balding or some hair loss. However, female hair loss and female balding are rarely discussed. For those who undergo this transition the change can be very difficult. For a man, hair loss can be managed with shaving and for many baldness can become a symbol of virility and honed maturity. For women, such coping mechanisms do not exist and the loss of their hair for many becomes a loss of their femininity and confidence.
There are ways of coping with the partial or complete loss of your hair. A good haircut, wigs and hair transplant procedures can all replace the lost hair and enhance your beauty. However and more importantly, you should also find a psychological solution to your change, by meeting or talking with people empathetic to your situation, who can help you discover that you are beautiful with or without your hair.
Hair loss can be caused for a number of reasons. Finding the source of your hair loss problems can set you on the path to finding the solution.
Some of the main causes of female hair loss are:
1) Female Patterned Baldness: Yes, pattern baldness isn’t just for the men. However, in women the hair is generally lost from the sides of the head and the very top. Pattern baldness is caused by a genetic condition, which makes the body produce an excessive amount of the hormone DHT. This hormone causes the hair follicles to produce thinner and thinner hair strains until they stop producing any hair at all.
Solutions: As this is a genetic condition there is no complete solution, but sufferers have found some improvement with biotin and silica shampoos (to unclog hair follicles) and finasteride medication such as Propecia (which stops further hair loss and can promote hair growth). However, finasteride medication can have numerous side-effects and must never be taken or even handled by pregnant women. Specialist suction wigs, enhancing hair weaves and hair transplants are generally less invasive solutions to the problem and do not interfere with the body’s hormonal functions.
2) Telogen Effluvium: Telogen effluvium involves the diffused shedding of hairs throughout the head and body. It usually only affects patches of the hair or overall hair density, rather than causing complete hair loss. This disturbance can be caused for a number of reasons, including extreme stress and the body’s reaction to medication, which disrupts the hair follicle’s natural growth cycle.
Solution: Telogen effluvium is usually a temporary condition, with the hair returning to normal in 6 months or so after the shedding has begun. However, there are ways of lessening the effects and appearance of the condition, such as allowing the hair to dry naturally, refraining from tying the hair up, and using shampoos rich in biotin and silica. A short haircut will also enhance the appearance and feeling of the thickness of your hair, and could be a great excuse to revamp your style.
3) Alopecia Areata: This condition often involves the sudden loss of large patches or an entire head of hair and can even affect the eyelashes and eyebrows. The problem occurs after extreme stress or other triggers, which start an autoimmune response from the body. White blood cells attack the hair follicles, causing the hair to weaken and then fall out.
Solution: The hair follicles of those suffering with alopecia areata are actually dormant rather than dead and so do have the ability to start growing hair once again. However, it is currently unknown what trigger mechanism would begin this process. For many women, wigs or a beautiful bold haircut are the best solution to the situation until their hair grows back.
Whatever the cause of your hair loss, it is important to know that you are not alone, and that there are solutions that can help you restore your confidence. For many women in midlife, losing their hair may symbolize the end of their youth. Try to remember that being young is an attitude, not just a number. Finding a solution to your hair loss problem may boost your confidence, but having the support of friends and family during this transition can be even better!
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Becky Mackay enjoys writing upon many subjects, including health, beauty and lifestyle. If you would like to know more about hair loss and hair transplants visit her Twitter page @FreshHealth11
