We
usually only think about hair loss in men, but female hair loss is
extremely common. This article explores the common types of female hair
loss and explains how to manage the problem.
When you talk about genetic hair loss most people think about the most
common form of hair loss: male-pattern baldness. This is the type of
hair loss that is passed on genetically to offspring from their
mothers. Most often the recipients of this type of hair loss are men,
but sometimes the gene can result in female hair loss.
While genetic baldness in men is identified by a receding hairline or
balding crown, genetic hair loss in women is a bit different. In most
cases, a woman will not lose her hair in spots only but will thin out
evenly throughout the head. Sometimes, this thinning can be quite
severe and result in the woman having to wear a wig to cover up her
thinning tresses. While female hair loss almost never results in a
completely bald head, it can be extreme enough to expose the scalp
quite plainly.
For the woman facing this type of hair loss, there are a few hair loss
treatment options that can be explored. They include shampoos,
conditioners and topical treatments, such as Rogaine for women, which
stimulate hair growth and prevent further hair loss; vitamin
supplements; and stimulatory treatments such as massage and infra-red
therapy. The most successful of these hair loss treatments are the
topical treatments. While they are quite expensive, they produce the
best results.
Hair loss due to chemical processes
No matter how healthy and strong your hair is today, you could
experience severe hair loss after undergoing a harsh chemical process
such as a perm or color. While almost all chemical hair fallout is due
to operator error, the chance of it occurring is multiplied by chemical
services that you perform on your hair at home. I've seen more than one
case of female hair loss in clients who have bleached their hair at
home, colored it over and then came to the salon for yet another
bleaching. Not knowing this past history, the stylist used too strong a
chemical, and the process resulted in hair loss.
Since most of these cases do not result in complete hair loss, the hair
loss treatment options include protein treatments and other
conditioning treatments to strengthen the remaining hair; a good hair
cut that will remove most of the damage; and a gentle hair-care routine
that will minimize further hair loss due to breakage. You should also
refrain from using thermal styling tools and undergoing any further
chemical procedures until the hair is completely grown out.
Hair loss due to stress
Cases of severe stress can literally cause handfuls of hair loss at a
time. Women experiencing stressful conditions can experience female
hair loss represented by thinning all over the head or in spots called
alopecia areata. Alopecia areata means "Hair loss in spots or areas,"
and can result in bald circular patches on one or more spots of the
scalp. While this type of hair loss is alarming, it is not permanent.
After the stress is removed, most sufferers of this type of hair loss
regrow all of the hair that they lost.
In most cases, the hair loss treatment for stress-related hair loss is
minimal. After ruling out other causes of hair loss, your doctor will
likely recommend changes in your diet or ideas to help alleviate your
stress. Keep in mind that it can take months for your hair to grow back
even after the stressors have been eliminated.
Hair loss due to illness
Any type of extended illness or surgery can result in hair loss.
Medications taken to combat certain types of illnesses can also cause
your hair to become brittle and break or fall out altogether. The most
identifiable type of hair loss is the loss associated with chemotherapy
treatments. In most cases, this hair loss is complete and affects all
areas of the body.
While there is little that can be done to prevent this type of hair
loss or promote growth during illness, surgery or chemotherapy
treatments, this type of female hair loss is also temporary. In most
cases, full recovery of hair is made after the illness is over.
You can promote hair growth after the illness by getting regular trims
and using growth enhancing shampoos and conditioners. Vitamin
supplements may also be beneficial.
As you may have already guessed, hair loss in women is more common than
we might think. And many may be experiencing hair loss and dismiss it
as a natural occurrence that comes along with age. A lot of these women
fail to seek the necessary hair loss treatment that can help them keep
their remaining hair and regrow new hair. So, if you are experiencing
hair loss, do not think that it is just because you are getting older.
There may be something that you can do to keep the hair on your head
from clogging your drain.
