Hair loss is a common worry for men, but what many people don’t realise is that this is an issue many women experience as well. The average scalp has approximately 100,000 hairs and it’s natural for them to fall out after growing for two to six years, only to be replaced with new hair. However, discovering that the new hair simply isn’t growing back in, or at the very least, is no longer as full and luscious as it once was can send many women into a panic. Since our hair is often the root to self-image, the thought of it thinning out can have a detrimental effect on our confidence and appearance. Fortunately, there are many plausible, affordable and effective options that can treat hair thinning for women. Wigs do not have to be your next hairstyle.
Way More Common Than You Think
With all the hair treatments, heat products and extensive salon visits that many women enjoy, each strand is put through some intense procedures. Many of them basically strip each strand of their natural minerals, oils and overall health. This is likely the cause for hair thinning in women becoming such a big concern for many people. You certainly are not alone. Hair breakage, thinning and loss is more common than we think, and can happen to women of all ages. Recent studies conducted by the American Hair Association stated that women actually make up approximately 40% of all reported hair thinning and loss conditions.
You Can Regain Your Confidence
One of the first things that seems to go when you notice your hair thinning out is your confidence. It has the ability to completely change your mood for the worse. The mere thought of having to wear a wig or no longer being able to style your hair as you please can be truly detrimental to the way you feel about yourself. The good news is that with the wide selection of hair thinning treatments for women, you can completely change your mood for the better as well.
Hair loss can be divided into two different categories. The first one is scarring, which is when the hair follicle is essentially destroyed. The second is non-scarring, which is when the hair is significantly damaged, but the scalp still has some room for restoration and repair. The latter is usually the category many women fall into as relaxers, colour treatments, heat products, ponytails and braids are common causes for this kind of hair loss. However, there are many other factors that can contribute to hair loss in women.
Possible Causes of Hair Loss
While the products that many women use on their hair is definitely a major contributor to hair loss, there are some other things that can trigger your hair follicles to stop producing new strands. Diet, extreme stress, hormone imbalances and genetics are to name a few, and can all be the cause of what you likely refer to as ‘the root of all evil’. Health conditions such as an iron deficiency, anaemia or a low thyroid can trigger hair loss as well. Toxic exposure to things such as mercury and arsenic can also cause hair loss, as well as environmental pollutants. Determining what the cause is of your hair thinning out will allow you to pick from many of the incredibly effective hair thinning treatments available for women.
Treatment Options
Treatment for hair loss in women can be as simple as taking nutritional supplements, changing your diet or giving your hair a serious break from chemical treatments and hot iron products. However, for more serious cases of hair thinning, the options are vast and generally much more rewarding as well.
Medicine is one option. Rogaine (Minoxidil 5%) is an FDA approved product for female pattern hair loss. Just one treatment a day can slow or stop hair loss in its tracks, while also encouraging healthy hair to start growing again. However, only a quarter of those that use this product experience hair regrowth, and when you stop using the product, the benefits are usually lost.
Laser Treatments (LLLT)
There are many laser treatments available that can effectively treat hair loss in women. Such devices emit low-energy lasers that can stimulate hair growth, giving your hair a fighting chance against becoming thinner. It is highly recommended that you only use laser treatments performed by highly trained professionals in order to reap the full benefits and to ensure safety, despite some hand-held devices being available for use at home. Generally, it takes approximately 2-4 months to see the results.
Hair Transplants in Women
Hair transplants are also a viable option for women experiencing hair thinning or loss, whether by follicle by follicle (FUE) or by the strip method. The procedures consist of moving hair that comes from the permanent donor site to the thinning areas on the scalp. The actual cause of your hair thinning will determine whether this is the best option for you, as some women experience bald patches while others experience female pattern baldness, which causes the hair to thin all over.
These three options are some of the most popular and common procedures that women choose when experiencing hair thinning. Speaking to us will provide you with valuable information with specifics based on your condition. While there are many shampoos and beauty products that claim to encourage hair growth, often times they don’t provide results for women experiencing hair thinning or loss.