Women’s hair loss: Causes, Treatment, and Solutions

Everything you need to know about women’s hair loss, thinning hair, and shedding: Causes, Treatment, and Solutions.

Today, I want to write about a topic I get questions about all the time from female customers in their midlife.

We let our culture define us by our looks and hair, maybe too much. And then when we start to lose hair it can be devastating.

“If my hair looks good, I can deal with ANYTHING.”

Today’s blog post is all about women’s hair loss.

If you are dealing with thinning hair or excessive shedding hair and hair loss, I will talk about some ways to deal with that, work with it, prevent it, and even stop it.

• What Causes Hair Thinning in the Front of Female Head?
• Daily Routine for Treating Hair Loss
• What Should You Eat to Stop Hair Loss Immediately?
• The Best Treatment for Female Hair Loss
• Hair Loss Scams and Products to Avoid
• Natural Treatment for Hair Loss, Thinning Hair, and Shedding Hair
• DIY Remedy for A Natural Hair Loss Treatment
• Hair Styling for Tinning, Shedding Hair and Hair Loss

Let’s just get into it.

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What Causes Hair Thinning in the Front of Female Head?

The hair on the head grows at a rate of about half an inch per month. According to the Internet, it’s normal for women to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day, but those with female pattern baldness can lose many more. Women lose hair gradually, often over decades, starting at their part line, around the middle and/or in the front of the hairline, and extending to the crown.

If you’re dealing with hair loss, know that you’re not alone. More than half of all women will experience noticeable hair loss, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

See a doctor if there are visible bald spots, itching, or burning of the scalp, or the hair loss has been going on for longer than six months. If there is a significant history of hair loss, it may be a good idea to come in sooner.

Search for a board-certified dermatologist in your area, who specializes in hair loss and will be aware of newer treatments currently being studied, and don’t be afraid to get a second opinion.

If you feel that you lose more then that it could be lots of reasons this happening.

THE MOST COMMON CAUSE FOR HAIR LOSS in women is a genetic condition known as female-pattern hair loss.

• Alopecia areata, which causes patchy or total hair loss in both males and females. Caused by an autoimmune process. It’s reversible.
• Hair shedding (Telogen effluvium) as a result of thyroid problems, surgery, or stress. It’s reversible.
• Hormonal issues that cause hair loss in women.
• Scarring alopecia (Lupus), a rare but permanent condition in otherwise healthy people. It shows up as red, scaly, thick lesions that don’t usually hurt or itch.
• Androgenetic alopecia, which causes male or female pattern baldness. It’s reversible.
• Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), is caused by a genetic mutation in one of the proteins that’s responsible for the formation of the hair follicle. It’s a permanent condition.
• Lichen planopilaris (LPP), autoimmune-related can result in patchy spots of hair loss as well as redness, itching, or burning.

“Sometimes radiation is not the cause of hair loss. Stress does everything!!” – Nipa Mendapara

There could be several reasons for hair loss and thinning. It could be age and hormonal levels. If you recently gave birth and dealing with postpartum hair loss.

Your diet and overall health.

Stress, this one is major. 

If it’s related to pregnancy, usually it’s only last for about six months. If it’s past that you may want to speak to your doctor.

In order to put a stop to shedding and hair loss, you have to figure out the root of the problem.

“Hair loss is not a diagnosis. Hair loss is a symptom. Once you get a specific diagnosis, then you can know the causes associated with that diagnosis.” – Yolanda Lenzy, M.D., M.P.H.

How Do You Treat Shedding hair, Thinning hair, and Hair Loss?

Let’s talk about easy things we can do to prevent thinning hair, shedding, and hair loss.

These are the key things that continue to help hair growth according to @beauty_unplugged.

TIP 1: SLEEP 8 HOURS EVERY NIGHT

So many of us deal with stress daily. Make sure you spend time on yourself. Give yourself time to distress, relax, meditate, and read books. I like to go for a regular walk. Just go outside of everyday reality.

TIP 2: TAKE VITAMIN D 2000 IU EVERY DAY

My iron and B12 levels are good with my diet. Deficiencies in these can contribute to hair loss.

TIP 3: USE MINOXIDIL 2% HAIR REGROWTH SERUM EVERY MORNING

To slow/reduce hair fall/loss. This contains minoxidil. Not safe in pregnancy.

TIP 4: USE A HAIR SERUM EVERY NIGHT

The current one I use is The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density.

TIP 5: USE LOW PH SHAMPOO

Only to scalp 2 times a week. I apply conditioner from the midshaft to the ends of wet hair before massaging shampoo only to my scalp. This has helped reduce hair fall.

TIP 6: USE A HAIR TREATMENT

Once a week is appropriate for my hair/lifestyle.

TIP 7: AIR DRY HAIR

TIP 8: AVOID BRUSHING HAIR

Avoid brushing my hair too much, dyeing my hair, and heat styling my hair as much as possible.

TIP 9: USE A SILK PILLOWCASE

To reduce hair breakage (also helps with fewer face wrinkles in the mornings).

TIP 10: AVOID TIGHT HAIR BUN

Avoid tight hair buns, tight ponytails, and tight French braids. This friction can cause hair loss.

READ NEXT: 5 Best Sulfate Free Shampoos for Oily Hair

What Should We Eat to Stop Hair Loss Immediately?

Make sure you maintain a healthy and balanced diet friendly to your hair. That means lots of vitamins and protein.

A Few Major Key Players Here

• Zinc
• Iron
• B 12

Make sure you are stoking your fridge with fish, leafy greens, nuts, and things like that, and you should be good to go.

This is probably the biggest.

Animal proteins carry a lot of B12 and Iron. If you are vegan or vegetarian make sure you are gating those nutrients from other sources.

Make sure you are always hydrated. Staying hydration is super important for long, thick hair.

What should you eat to stop hair loss?

• egg yolk
• pork liver
• oat flakes
• wheat germ and whole grains
• nuts and legumes
• white mushrooms
• rice
• spinach and cauliflower
• cheese, curds, and cow’s milk
• pork, beef, and chicken
• salmon
• apples, bananas, and tomatoes
• carrots, lettuce, and potatoes

The Best Treatment for Female Hair Loss.

MINOXIDIL

Minoxidil (Rogaine) 5% is the only topical medication approved by the FDA for many forms of female pattern hair loss. The once-daily use foam treatment regrows hair in 81% of the women who try it. The liquid options of 2% and 5% solutions are available over the counter.

It’s not the most enjoyable product. It can be very irritating and lead to an itchy scalp. And something you have to do daily to maintain hair growth.

Product design specifically for women – Minoxidil.

There are two different solutions foam and serum solution.

FOAM

Foam has a little bit difficult time getting into your scalp and it has to reach your scalp to have a clinical benefit.

SERUM

The solution comes in a miniature dropper and you can get into your scalp and massage it in a little bit.

You have to apply it to a dry scalp and live it in place approximately 4 hours before you wash your hair. You have to wash your hands after application.

Q. Do I have to use Minoxidil forever?

A. While it is true that minoxidil only works while you use it. It is also true of all treatments for hair loss as long as the underlying hair loss is chronic.

Hormonal Therapy for Female Pattern Hair Loss

Female pattern hair loss is the most common hair loss in women. It’s also known as Androgenetic alopecia, which causes male or female pattern boldness. There is a genetic tendency to develop it, and androgen because a key part of what causes this type of hair loss in women is the sensitivity of the hair follicle to the male hormones the androgens that we all have in our body.

Some people have a genetic tendency in their hair follicles to be very sensitive to circulating androgens in the body and as a result, develop thinning of the hair.

As we age our testosterone levels decrease and testosterone is the hormone that transforms into DHT (Dihydrotestosterone). DHT binds to receptacles to your scalp follicles and poisons them, preventing hair growth.

More than half of the women who suffer from age-related hair loss could get some benefit from the products that block DHT, they inhibit the conversion of testosterone and decrease the amount of DHT.

• Finasteride
• Dutasteride
• Spironolactone
• Cyproterone
• Flutamide
• Birth Control Pills

FINASTERIDE

Finasteride (brand name Propecia) is an FDA approve for male hair loss. It helps to treat thinning hair and help thicken up your hair as well.

Finasteride used for men, but some dermatologist uses it for post-menopausal women because it can cause birth defects. So young women shouldn’t use it, but post-menopausal women can be of benefit.

DOSES:

• 1 mg are not helpful
• 2.5 mg per day in combination with oral birth control pill id helpful in restoring some hair grows and hair thickness.
• 5 mg show result in increase hair density

Please discuss dose with your doctor.

DUTASTERIDE

Dutasteride (brand name Avodart or Terod) and 3x times more potent as an inhibitor of DHT than Finasteride. It blocks two enzymes involved in converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which helps the hair follicles enlarge back to normal. In other words, Dutasteride is more effective at blocking DHT and therefore increasing hair growth.

There is a study showing that it may be more effective than Finasteride.

Not advised for pregnant women.

Q. WILL IT GROW HAIR ON OTHER PARTS OF MY BODY?

A. No, only on your head

Q. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SEE RESULTS?

A. Three month

Q. HOW LONG DO I NEED TO TAKE FINASTERIDE OR DUTASTERIDE?

A. In order to keep seeing the effects of Dutasteride, you need to keep taking the medication indefinitely. Unfortunately, because Dutasteride is a relatively new drug, there no known long-term data available.

Q. IS IT SAFE TO TAKE DUTASTERIDE?

A. It’s a new drug. There is no data available to answer this question. It’s safe to take in the short term.

SPIRONOLACTONE

It’s actually a blood pressure medication, that used by dermatologists to treat some of the hair grows on a woman’s face as well as acne.

But it has also been examined for a female pattern hair loss and shown to be effective in a low dose of 100 – 200 mg a day.

SIDE EFFECTS MAY INCLUDE

• The brest tenderness
• Spotting in between a period
• Irregular menstrual period
• Dizziness

CYPROTERONE ACITATE

It lowers testosterone. There is Cyproterone + Birth Control pill VS.  topical Minoxidil + Birth Control pill and show that there is no difference in results.

This medication is mostly used in Europe and Canada, not so much in the USA.

SIDE EFFECTS MAY INCLUDE

• Weight gain
• The brest tenderness
• Lower your libido

At a higher level of 25 mg per day it put you at risk for liver toxicity.

FLUTAMIDE

It helps with female hair loss in women that have hypoandrogenism. 

SIDE EFFECTS MAY INCLUDE

It can put you at risk for liver toxicity

BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

Oral contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and show to be helpful for women that experience hair loss due to lover estrogen in their body. Such as menopause, after pregnancy, and breast cancer therapy.

It works by lowering the level of testosterone in the female body. As a result, they’re less testosterone to attack your hair follicles.

✨ You have to be on these treatments for at list 6 month to see the results.

Hair Restoration or PRP

Hair restoration is another treatment. PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is a three-step treatment in which a person’s blood is drawn, processed (isolating playlist that promotes growth factor), and then injected into the scalp.

Combining platelets with needles technology called Jet Peel and that allows PRP to penetrate the skin without actually touching the skin to the depth of 2 mm.

SIDE EFFECTS: Pain, bleeding, infection, scarring both physical and emotional and outcomes are difficult to correct. There’s also the chance that you could have a negative reaction to the anesthetic used in the therapy.

How much does PRP for hair loss cost?

PRP therapy typically consists of three treatments in a 4-6-week period, with maintenance treatment every 4-6 months.

The price typically ranges from $1,500 – $3,500 for the initial three treatments, with one injection at $400 or more.

Many insurance plans consider PRP for hair loss treatment to be cosmetic and don’t cover any of the costs of the treatment.

Hair Loss Products to Avoid

“Be cautious about vitamins, supplements, and shampoos that claim to help hair loss. None of these have been studied thoroughly and they often cost a lot of money. There’s also little regulation of these products by the FDA so there’s no guarantee that they are both safe and effective.” – Dr. Goh.

STEER CLEAR of supplements that contain a large amount of biotin. Most people have a normal level of Biotin in their bodies. Biotin can alter many of your lab results, including thyroid function tasks and cardiac enzymes.

Symptoms of Biotin Deficiency are hair loss (severe), conjunctivitis(severe), dermatitis(severe), mild depression, lethargy, numbness, and tingling of the fingers.

STAY AWAY from products that claim that they unblock your follicles. That people have built up of sebum and they will clear out the sebum to make your hair grow out. Be careful in believing these products.

PROCEED WITH CAUTION with low light therapy. For some people it does work. Low light therapy produces light diodes and your hair follicles may absorb some of this light and increase the metabolism of the cells in your hair follicles and may increase your hair cycle grows. It may make your hair grow longer and thicker.

It’s not FDA approve treatment. You have to use it for 6 minutes a day, every day.

According to MD. Michael Wolfeld board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon and restoration specialist

Natural Treatment for Hair Loss, Thinning Hair, and Shading

While it may not reverse hair loss or hair shedding, the excellent moisturizing properties of the oil can help to improve the general condition of your hair over time. It can help to control the progression of hair loss or thinning. Hence, it is a good idea to include this natural ingredient in your daily hair.

Scalp massages offer long-term benefits for hair loss, thinning, and shading due to hormonal imbalance or alopecia and can be performed using oils.

Take your fingertips and just and really gently in circles massage your scalp and head all over.

And this is going to add some circulation and draw some blood flow to your scalp and stimulate that hair growth. You can elevate this by adding a little bit of essential oil.

• Castor Oil
• Lavender Oil
• Cypress Oil
• Coconut Oil

CASTOR OIL

It’s very well known for stimulating hair growth and keeping hair healthy and soft.

Castor oil controls hair loss, thickens hair, helps treat dandruff, repair split ends, enhances hair color, and boosts hair growth.

Castor oil contains Ricinoleic acid (Omega-9 fatty acid) that can penetrate the pores of the skin and the hair follicles. It provides nourishment and moisture to the hair follicles and promotes better hair growth.

Castor oil can protect existing hair follicles, keeping hair from shedding to much. It also coats the hair strands and forms a natural barrier against sunlight and pollution.

Although there is no scientific data that directly links castor oil to increased hair growth, it has been a popular hair care remedy for ages.

3 Popular CASTOR OILS, According to Reviews and Rating:

• Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil, 8-Ounce
• Molivera Organics 100% Pure Castor Oil, Cold Pressed, 16-Ounce
• Aria Starr 100% Cold Pressed Castor Oil, Hexane-Free Extraction, 16-Ounce

CAUTION: “If you have scarring alopecia don’t waste your time on “Natural” treatment. This is permanent hair loss, so if you spend six months to a year trying castor oil, you’re losing precious follicles that whole time that won’t be able to get back.” – Dr. Lenzy “These are actually medical conditions just like high blood pressure or diabetes. I see so many people suffering and trying different things and if they had only come in sooner, their result would be so much better.”

LAVENDER OIL

Lavender oil has many beneficial properties to keep your hair healthy.

✔ It helps to promote hair growth.

A 2016 study found that lavender oil applied to nice made their hair grow faster and thicker (there no studies were done on human hair so).

Per this study, lavender oil may help with issues like female pattern baldness or alopecia.

To get better results apply lavender oil to sculp, not hair.

✔ It’s antimicrobial

When applied to the hair scalp, it may prevent itchy scalp or dandruff and even infections.

3 Popular LAVANDER OILS, According to Reviews and Rating:

• Handcraft Lavender Essential Oil – Huge 4 OZ – 100% Pure & Natural – with Premium Glass Dropper
• Plant Therapy Lavender Essential Oil 100% Pure, Undiluted, Therapeutic Grade 10 ml (1/3 oz)
• Artizen Lavander Essential Oil (100% Pure&Natural – Undiluted) Huge 1oz Bottke – great for skin therapy & more!

CYPRESS OIL

Cypress oil is an essential oil made from the twigs, stems, and leaves of the cypress tree. It has many health benefits, as it has antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties.

It can help with cough, hemorrhoids, warts, infections, acne, varicose veins, cellulite, and hair loss.

Cypress essential oil can benefit the scalp by reducing hair loss and promoting new hair growth.

With regular daily use, it promotes increased blood flow, regulating sebum production and naturally tightening pores, thus stopping the hair loss cycle.

Cypress essential oil promote healthy hair growth from within!

How to use cypress oil for hair loss?

Mix it with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or coconut oil, and then apply it to your scalp.

You can buy hand made Lavender Cypress Hair Loss Serum on Etsy.

Or make your own, see a DIY remedy for a natural hair loss treatment – something I will cover more in-depth later in this post.

⭐ TIP: Before using a new essential oil on your skin, be sure to do a patch test.

2 Popular CYPRESS ESSENTIAL OILS, According to Reviews and Rating:

• Artizen Cypress Essential Oil (100% Pure & Natural – UNDILUTED) Therapeutic Grade – Huge 1oz Bottle – Perfect for skin therapy and more!
• Organic Cypress Essential Oil (100% Pure – USDA Certified Organic) Best Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil – 10ml

COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil is often said to be the best oil to use on your hair to reduce protein loss and keep it looking healthy.

You will see better results if you apply coconut oil to your hair before washing it.

All of these oils are really great. They have regenerating ingredients, that help stimulate hair growth and hair health.

If you give yourself a gentle scalp massage before bed daily or at list 2-3 times a week, using these oils. You will see healthier and shinier hair.

That will be great.

3 Popular COCONUT OILS, According to Reviews and Rating:

• PURA D’OR Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil (16oz/473ml) USDA Certified 100% Pure & Natural MCT Oil for Face, Skin & Hair.
• PURA D’OR Organic Castor Oil (4oz) 100% Pure Natural USDA Organic: Conceal Thin, reveal Fuller Eyebrows, Thicker Eyelashes, Hair Growth: Cold Pressed Hexane Free-Moisturize Dry Skin w/Bonus Brush Kit
• OKAY | 100% Pure Coconut Oil | For All Hair Textures & Skin Type | Excellent Source of Vitamin E | All Natural | 6 Oz

Where to Buy Good Quality Oil and Essential Oil?

The best place to buy oil is from a pharmacist or a natural food store like Whole Foods.

When shopping online, you can find it on the online retail site, or from specific health and nutrition stores. You may also purchase it directly from manufacturers’ websites.

DIY Remedy for A Natural Hair Loss Treatment

Castor Oil DIY Remedy

The simplest way to use castor oil on the hair is to massage it thoroughly into the scalp.

• 3 tbsp of Castor oil
• 1 tbsp of Jojoba oil
• 3 drops of Essential Oil (Peppermint or Teat Tree or Rosemary)

1// The essential oils will help to tone down the castor oil smell.

2// Mix all the above ingredients together in small bottle.

3// Pour a few drops in your hand and massage it into the scalp.

? Don’t overdo it!

Keep in mind that you will have to wash it off with shampoo later. If you over-apply it, you will find that it’s too hard to wash out.  

4// When scalp is covered, spread excess oil to ends of hair.

5// Set a timer for 20 minutes and shampoo your hair.

⭐TIP: You may use paper towel to blot out excess oil first.

Re-shampoo again if there is still oil on your scalp and hair and let it air dry.

Repeat this method at least 3 or 4 times a week for better results. Once you experience results, switch your treatments to once a week.

Cypress Essential Oil DIY Remedy

Make the following blend and massage onto your scalp 3-4 times per week to encourage new hair growth and slow down hair loss:

• 2 Tbsp Jojoba Essential Oil (Carrier Oil) or Castor oil
• 4 drops Cypress Essential Oil
• 2 drops Manuka Essential Oil
• 2 drops Orange Essential Oil

Application is similar to the Castor Oil treatment.

Hair Styling for Thinning Hair, Shedding Hair and Hair Loss

Let’s talk about styling.

Make sure you are brushing hair the right way. This is the time most of you seeing or noticing most of your hair shedding happening. Because your hairbrush was just full of strands of hair.

Make sure you are not over brushing.

Over-brushing creates a lot of friction and pulling, making your hair fell out more.

When you do brush your hair, use the right type of hairbrush.

I opt for a wide-tooth comb rather than the closely tight plastic bristles. This is a lot gentler on your hair.  

Also make sure you are brushing from the bottom, working your way up to the top.

Never start at the roots and just drugging brush down. It’s really harsh and pulls your hair and cause more shedding.

You want to avoid as much friction as possible.

⭐ TIP: I also suggest brushing your hair before the shower. That is where you will see lot’s of hair shedding happening, after a shower and during the shower. If you brush your hair before it gets wet, you will minimize shedding.

⭐ TIP: Wash your hair in the morning instead of the evening. Because sleeping with damp hair and soggy floccules can be really damaging to the hair.

No hot showers.

Because hot water and steam are really dehydrating on your hair locks. Dehydration causes more brittle strands that will break, and you will experience more hair loss.

Turn your water to medium when taking your shower and when you are washing down conditioner turn it cold, really cold if you can handle it.

Rinsing your hair with cold water is really great for extra shiny hair and it’s also way gentler on your hair.

Your hair will thank you.

I know it’s not the most pleasant thing ever and you probably will be very uncomfortable, but it’s definitely worth it.

Drying your hair.

Here are also some precautions you want to take for your shedding, thinning, and falling hair.

Use a microfiber towel or even an old t-shirt rather than using a regular towel.

The regular towel has big, harsh, raff fibers in the material. They cause a lot of friction especially if you are not dry your hair the proper way.

I recommend padding your hair dry and also gently squeezing. You don’t want to be rubbing it or putting it in a towel turban.

The whole point here, you just want to be really gentle with your hair.

No aggressive towel drying.  

Hair styling.

Try to keep your hair styling to a minimum. If you have to use a hairdryer or curling iron, set temperature on low/cool so it doesn’t damage your hair.

If you want to wear a ponytail, opt for a low, loose ponytail instead of a high tight one.

For elastics and hair accessories use fabric scrunchy which is much gentler on the hair. No bobby pins or accessories with the metal where your hair can get caught and tangle in it.

⭐ TIP: Switch hair part line often. To prevent thinning hair in one spot.

To add volume in your hair, try opting for volumizing spray instead of a hair dryer.

That’s it.

I hope you found this post helpful and you learn some new tricks to deal with your thinning, shading hair, and hair loss.  We all are going through different ups and downs with our hair we can’t always control it.

Even if you incorporate some of these tips in your every day habits of your hair routine, into your lifestyle you will see a major difference for sure.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?

Do you have any questions about “Women’s hair loss: Causes, Treatment, and Solutions“? Let’s talk about it in the comments below!

If you would like to know more about a specific product, leave your requests and questions in the comments below! As always, I’d love to hear from you!

I would love to hear from you! Have a fabulous week and take care!

Irina Nikitina – Founder of Modern Fifty TV ❤❤❤

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