Hair is a critical part of anyone’s identity. Our locks often showcase our personality, reflect our style, and contribute to our sense of confidence. As such, signs of hair thinning and recession can be alarming. This is particularly true for women. As a woman, healthy hair can be a key way in which femininity is expressed. This can lead to emotional challenges for women who must grapple with the reality of their changing hair. If you or someone you know is experiencing hair loss or thinning, it can be hard to find the right information. In this article, we strive to change this by offering information to help you better understand hair loss/recession, why it happens, treatment options, and more.
Follow along below to read our women’s guide to hair loss.
Making Sense of Hair Loss as a Woman
Hair loss is commonly thought of as a male problem. However, as Harvard recently noted, it also affects roughly a third of women. With this being said, men and women do not experience hair loss in the same way. For a man, hair loss usually means going bald, whereas, for a woman, hair loss usually means thinning hair without going bald. There are a variety of causes that can be attributed to hair loss and recession in women. For example, medications, wearing certain hairstyles, and high stress levels. Other underlying causes can include a shift in hormones, an inflammatory condition, or even a thyroid problem. What’s more, is that hair loss can be genetic.
One of the biggest culprits for hair loss in women is female-pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia). Women who suspect that they have this condition can usually tell by a few key signs. The first of which, is hairline recession, whereby the hair recedes at the forehead. Another sign of hair loss is a wider hair part. It often manifests as a gradual change in the texture and density of the hair. Moreover, a widening part is common in women over 40 or those experiencing menopause. The third sign is patchy hair loss. This means the thinning or loss of hair in more specific areas on the scalp.
Beyond female-pattern hair loss, there are a variety of other common causes. For instance, the overuse of damaging hair products or consistent application of heat tools (hair dryers, flat irons, curling wands, etc). Factors such as nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances can also lead to thinning hair.
Women’s Hair Thinning Treatments and Preventative Measures
For some of us, hair loss as we age is inevitable. However, this does not mean that you can’t take measures to try and prevent the onset or improve the outlook. Doing simple things like taking care of your health, eating a well-balanced diet, and restricting the use of heat tools can all help with hair loss. If you lead a stressful lifestyle due to work or other circumstances, finding a way to minimize or cope with this stress is critical. Too much stress can impact your hair and overall health. Taking multivitamins and avoiding tight hairstyles (we’re looking at you, Ms. slick back trend) can also be of benefit.
For those who are experiencing hair loss and are looking for a treatment option, it’s important to visit your doctor for a formal diagnosis. Treatments vary depending on the cause of your hair loss, the kind of hair loss you’re experiencing, and your medical history. For some women, simply addressing the underlying condition causing the hair loss can improve symptoms. For others, it may take medication to see a change in hair thickness. A popular hair growth drug is Rogaine which can help treat hair loss and promote regrowth. Other options that women are considering include red light therapy.
If medical treatments don’t work for your hair/body, there are other ways to cope with the loss. Cosmetic options to help women overcome hair loss are extensive. From wigs to hair transplantations the spectrum of cosmetic treatments for hair is vast.
Contact us Today!
Hair loss can be challenging to deal with. If you are experiencing hair loss, know that there are a variety of women’s hair thinning treatments available. If you have other questions about styling thinning hair or general hair loss, post your questions on our “Ask a Stylist” forum. Be sure to contact us if you have any other hair or beauty-related questions. We look forward to seeing you in the salon soon. Moreover, be sure to check back next month for more hair content and visit our social media.
