Treating Hair Loss in Women

For many women, hair loss can be a shameful secret they try to hide from the world. Hair loss or balding is usually a condition associated with men, however women all over the world suffer the same problem. Women tend to attach their vanity and sense of femininity to their hair, and are reluctant to seek treatment for the problem.



Hair loss among women can be hereditary, but it often has environmental or medical causes. Many medications or narcotics have side effects which cause hair loss. Hormonal changes, such as puberty, pregnancy or menopause can also contribute to a significant loss of hair. Hair loss in women can strike at any age, although it's most common among 25 to 45 year olds.



Some hair loss, a few strands a day, is a natural occurrence. As new hair grows in, it pushes out the old hair and causes it to fall out. Over combing, pulling or brushing can often cause breakage which is why you may see hairs in the sink after you groom. If this is the case, switch to a wide tooth comb, and try using a leave in conditioner that will keep your hair slippery while you comb, reducing hair breakage.



Often shampoo, conditioner or styling products such as mousse, gel or hairspray can be the cause of loss of hair. Everyone's hair reacts differently to both synthetic and organic ingredients, so even if you are using a natural shampoo, it might be the reason for your hair fall. If you notice an overabundance of hair being left behind in the shower, switching your brand of shampoo and conditioner may be all it takes to correct the problem.



Other factors in loss of hair include chemical cosmetic treatments, such as perms, relaxers or hair colouring. If you're already suffering from hair loss, you should avoid these damaging elements. Hair loss can also be compounded by the use of heated styling appliances such as blow dryers and irons, so these should also be avoided.



Quite often, hair falling out is your body's way of trying to alert you to a bigger problem. You could be suffering an allergy or silent illness. You could be missing vital supplements or nutrients in your diet. You could be over exerting yourself with too much exercise, not enough rest or sleep or too many stimulants such as caffeine of sugar.



If an increase in hair fall can't be resolved by changing your shampoo or styling products, you should seek medical attention. Women's hair loss is nothing to be ashamed of and attempting to keep it a secret it can prevent you from getting help for a more serious ailment.

Causes and Treatment of Hairloss in Women

Hair usually grow at the rate of half an inch per month, and each hair goes through a growth phase of two to six year. After this, the hair rests for a while, and then falls out, giving way for new hair to grow from the same follicle. Most people think that only men suffer from hairloss, but millions of women all over the world suffer from some form of hair loss, and the number of suffering women is increasing each year.



Sudden hairloss is not dangerous or painful, but 60% women suffering from it find it very devastating emotionally, that affects their career and marriage, and causes many other psychological problems.



Baldness is one of the most traumatic experiences for any woman, and it can be devastatingly heartbreaking. No woman ever contemplates seeing her hair fall out in lumps, and still not able to do anything about it. Baldness occurs when hair fall out, but is not replaced by new hair.



Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hairfall seen in women, and it is also known as female pattern alopecia. The hair start thinning predominantly on the sides and top of the head. It can begin as early as puberty, but is mainly seen after menopause.



Physical stress, medications, thyroid abnormalities, emotional stress, rapid weight change, illness, anemia, hormonal changes such as menopause, pregnancy and birth control pills, diet, and ringworm are some of the common causes of temporary and permanent hair loss.



Female pattern baldness is different from male pattern baldness, and this may include breaking of hair, temporary shedding of hair, skin disease or patchy areas of total losing hair. Female pattern baldness is usually mild or moderate, and is permanent.



If the person is comfortable, no treatment is required to cover the baldness, but for those who want a cure, minoxidil is the only medication that has been approved by FDA. It is applied on the scalp, and helps hair grow in 40-90% of the population. There is also an option of hair transplant, or using wigs to hide the bald spots.



There are many myths associated with hairfall such as frequent shampooing leads to hair fall, perms, coloring and other cosmetic treatments cause permanent hair loss, wigs and hats cause hair loss, shaving the head make hair grow back thicker, dandruff can cause permanent hair loss, standing on one's head increases the circulation and stimulate hair growth, hair loss affects only the intellectuals, hair loss does not occur in the teens or in early twenties, certain cosmetic products cause hair to grow faster and thicker and there is a cure for androgenetic Alopecia. These myths are very common, but most specialists suggest that you should get your hair diagnosed thoroughly by an experience dermatologist, and develop a better understanding of the treatment options best suitable for you.

Tips For Women Losing Hair - Natural Hair Loss Treatments

There is a lot of information out there about what men can do about thinning hair. Not as much attention is devoted to the issue of women losing hair. Women do not talk about this issue as much. However, they do have many options treat this condition. Natural hair loss treatments can help stimulate growth to replace lost hair.



Consult a Physician
For some women, losing hair is a symptom of a medical problem. This is why it is a good idea to consult a physician before looking into natural hair loss treatments. Thinning hair can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, thyroid problems, lupus, anemia, or certain medications. If there is a medical issue, get it treated and your strands may eventually start growing back.



Female Pattern Baldness
Female pattern baldness is the nickname for a condition known as androgenic alopecia. It is linked to the production of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which women produce in their ovaries. DHT damages the follicles causing the strands to fall out.



Some Styling Habits Result in Women Losing Hair
The use of harsh chemicals can result in women losing hair. Chemicals strip away natural protein from the strands damaging their structure and causing them to fall out. Many of these damaging chemicals are found in perms, hair dyes, sprays, and shampoos



The heat from flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers can also put a lot of stress on the strands which may lead to excessive shedding.



Scalp Massages
Women losing hair can stimulate growth by massaging their scalp regularly. This will help to increase circulation and blood flow to the scalp. The blood carries vitamins and minerals to the roots where the strands receive the nourishment. So a healthy blood flow is important to make sure the strands receive adequate nutrients.



Olive Oil
Applying olive oil to the hair helps to condition the strands and make them stronger. Shampoo your hair with a natural shampoo and massage the olive oil into your hair and scalp. Cover your head with a plastic cap to seal in the heat from your head. Your natural heat will allow the olive oil to penetrate your strands. Leave it on for one hour and then rinse it off.

Hair Loss Treatment For Women

Everyday there are thousands of women that struggle with some degree of hair loss. Being a woman and having to deal with this issue can be very emotional and frustrating, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. Research has shown that the majority of women in the world face some form of hair loss at least one point in their lives. The reasons why this occurs differs from person to person and there are many different factors that need to be considered. For instance some women may experience hair loss due to traumatic physical or emotional events, while others experience it simply because it may be passed down by genetics. What ever the reason may be, it is important to know that their are different treatments ranging from surgical to cosmetic that can give great results. Below are a couple cosmetic and medical treatments.



Before diving into medical treatments, it is important to note that there are a lot of hair treatment remedies in the market today that are simply out there to take your money. Before trying any product you should always visit a dermatologist and have them do an evaluation of your scalp and also run tests to specify exactly what is causing your form of hair loss. With that being said, lets get started.



Many women experience hair loss due to low estrogen levels in the body. This often occurs when a woman approaches menopause and their body starts to undergo a few hormonal changes such as increased testosterone levels. These levels can increase the amount of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) created in an individuals hair follicles. DHT is thought to be the primary reason why hair follicles shrink over time. A very common medical treatment for women with low estrogen levels is to use oral contraceptives. Taking a birth control pill can increase the amount estrogen being produced in the body thus preventing DHT from communicating with the hair follicles on the head. There are also a few different kinds of lotions that can can be applied to the scalp that help stimulate hair growth.
One of these is called Minoxidil. This medication is prescribed to both men and women and if applied everyday it can provide successful results. Its main purpose is to stimulate the follicles and send the message to keep growing hair. This lotion does not always work for everybody, but may be worth a try.



There are also many cosmetic hair treatments for women. Hair pieces are very common for women that experience different forms of temporary hair loss caused by things like Auto Immune Diseases. Hair pieces differ from wigs because they usually come in smaller sizes to cover up smaller areas. Like wigs, they can come in both human hair and synthetic hair forms. Adhesive or pins can be used to fix the hair into certain positions and help the hair piece blend in with the individual's hair. Many hair pieces and wigs can be styled allowing the individual to achieve a certain look they desire.

Hair Loss in Women Due to Vitamin Deficiency

Hair loss is not typically thought of as a health concern for women. When people think of hair loss, they think of an older man, with a thinning hair line, and they often dismiss the importance of treatment options as being merely cosmetic. The truth is that there are many women suffering from hair loss in silence. Unlike their male counterparts, their loss of hair is often related to an actual medical condition, one which can seriously threaten their overall health. Ranging from autoimmune diseases to vitamin deficiency, women lose their hair for a multitude of reasons.



In men, hair loss typical occurs at the temples, the forehead and the back of the head. This is called the "male pattern." For women, the loss is less localized and instead tends to happen all over the top of the head. When experiencing the loss of hair, women should really seek out the counsel of a physician to rule out possible causes. While almost all male baldness can be attributed to androgenic alopecia, most women suffering have some sort of vitamin deficiency or other illness. While men can focus on treating the hair loss itself, women often need to seek treatment for the underlying issue in order to make the loss of hair stop.



Vitamin deficiency is an often discounted cause of hair loss. Women that do not get enough of the B vitamins, B6, folic acid and niacin can often experience excessive shedding and lack of growth. Making sure that their diet is rich in these vitamins as well as the minerals zing and magnesium can help to stop the loss of hair. Women that lose their hair should also have their thyroid checked and may need to be checked for polycystic ovarian syndrome, as losing hair is one of the only visible symptoms of this health issue.



Whether it is caused by a vitamin deficiency, a thyroid condition or some other cause, hair loss in women needs to be thoroughly investigated. More than just an embarrassing cosmetic problem, losing hair is an indicator that something is not right and that there is a health problem that needs to be investigated. Women often experience temporary, dramatic loss immediately following child birth, major surgery, assuming a crash diet or undergoing a major emotional trauma. If the loss of hair continues after that, it is a good bet that there is something else going on.