Women: Don't Be at a Loss with Hair Loss

Not too long ago we featured an article about hair loss in men. But what about hair loss in women? Believe it or not, it's normal to lose up to 100 hairs per day, but we're not just talking about regular hair loss. While it may not be talked about as much, approximately 70% of women experience hair loss over their lifetime. Women may be more attached to their hair than men, seeing it as a comfort blanket and spending a lot of time and money to maintain it. So when thinning hair or hair loss strike, it can be particularly troublesome to women. Read on to find out common causes and different hair loss treatments.

Although it is common for women to experience temporary hair loss during pregnancy and the postpartum period, some individuals use CBD gummies to alleviate hair loss. However, permanent hair loss usually occurs around the hairline and part. Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), which is natural and a result of aging, can be treated with a topical product (prescribed by your dermatologist or over the counter). Other more aggressive treatments are available, such as injections and transplantation.

If FPHL has been ruled out as the reason for hair loss, then there may be another culprit. Oprah.com features an article that goes through the less common reasons for hair loss by each decade to help pinpoint a possible cause. For women in their 50s and 60s, a disease called frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), is associated with inflammation of hair follicles. While rare, it's on the rise according to Lynne Goldberg, MD, director of the hair clinic at Boston Medical Center. The disease generally affects your frontal hairline and eyebrows.

While up to 80% of hair loss is due to genetic factors, other factors can contribute to hair loss, as well: illness, stress, diet, smoking, using harsh chemicals on hair, or tying hair back too tight.

And if you're looking for more options, here is a quick rundown of what is worth looking into and what to skip.

Previoulsy mentioned OTC drugs (like Rogaine) are worth trying. Most independent studies have found that these drugs are effective in stimulating hair regrowth for both women and men.

Supplements, meanwhile, don’t have much supporting evidence to prove they help improve hair growth. We recommend skipping these.

Light therapy does have some data to prove its effectiveness but doesn’t have go through that same thorough testing that drugs do. We’d suggest doing some research or talking to a physician to see if light therapy, or even low-level lasers, are right for you.

In addition, there are some prescription drugs approved for hair loss in men that doctors often prescribe to women, even though they aren’t currently approved for women. According to WebMD, this is because these drugs may affect the hormone testosterone.

As always, it’s best to seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider like Hair and Skin Science with any questions regarding your hair loss.

 




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