No woman wants to lose her hair. Nevertheless, hair loss in women is incredibly common, impacting women of every age. Female hair loss can happen as a result of genetic factors, autoimmune diseases, or even nervous conditions. Women’s thinning hair may also be a result of lifestyle factors, or a response to certain medical treatments. Learning the underlying cause of your hair loss may be the first step toward determining the best solution.
Women’s hair loss affects more than 30 million women in the US — for a variety of reasons, ranging from genetics to chemicals, hormones and medications. The good news is that there are always options available for women to get their hair back—to feel young and confident all over again.
New Image Hair Clinic is proud to work with women experiencing hair loss, and to show them solutions that work—solutions that are proven. Before determining which solution is best for you, it may be helpful to consider some of the primary causes of women’s hair loss.
What Causes Women’s Hair Loss?
The truth is, we all lose hair every day—on average, anywhere from 50 to 250 strands. Of course, you don’t actually count your lost hair strands each day, but you probably will notice if you see more hair in your brush or shower. The question is, why?
Start by ruling out any underlying health conditions or medical reasons for your hair loss. Consult your medical team of doctors and pharmacists to rule out any medical reactions or undetected illnesses that need attention. Medical causes can range from something as simple as a fungal infection to hypothyroidism and other hormonal conditions. In some cases, when the condition is treated, hair will return to its original fullness. And, in some cases, a disease may be treated, yet the hair loss will continue.
Alopecia Areata is hair loss that occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles and affects more than 6 million people in the United States. Alopecia Areata causes hair loss in varying degrees of severity, from small patches that may re-grow to chronic, extensive loss of hair on the scalp (Alopecia Totalis) or the entire body (Alopecia Universalis).
Female pattern hair loss, also called androgenetic alopecia, is a genetic condition similar to male pattern baldness. Whereas men tend to bald in one area either at the hairline or crown of the head, female pattern baldness tends to radiate around the whole head, thinning throughout. It does not appear very noticeable until there is more than 50% hair loss.
There are other reasons for hair loss that are not genetic in nature. Thyroid disorders and anemia can both cause women to lose their hair. Hormonal changes—such as menopause, pregnancy, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)—tend to cause hair loss as a side-effect.
There can also be external causes for hair loss—surgery, medications, chemical treatments, or traumatic events. Serious illnesses and dramatic weight fluctuations can sometimes cause women to lose their hair, as can excessive vitamin regiments or deficiencies.
Schedule a FREE Consultation
When women start noticing their hair start to thin, it can be disheartening, to say the least. Fortunately, there are always plenty of options to address thinning hair. To learn more about the hair loss treatments that are right for you, we recommend that you make an appointment for a FREE consultation at New Image Hair Clinic.
During this appointment, we will conduct a scalp analysis, talk with you about different options, and answer any questions you may have about hair restoration. To schedule a consultation appointment with us, contact our North Huntingdon, PA studio at your next opportunity.