Women and hair loss

Hair loss accepted?

While men's hair loss and its possible solutions are accepted, it is only recently that the same understanding has been established in the hair and beauty industry for women. This is actually surprising, considering that hair plays a fundamental role in a state of mind or an expression in a person's personality. After all, hair can turn a normal event into something special or highlight a favorite outfit.

Hair loss in women

When women begin to lose hair, the results can be disastrous. Female hair loss does not progress in the same way as in men. You won't see the same "male pattern of baldness" which, as we know, begins with thinning hair on the crown and receding hair on the temples. In women, the more thinning hair is everywhere (diffuse) and is not noticed for years.

How can you tell when your hair is falling out?

Depending on how you wash your hair, 100 hairs may fall out per day. This falls within normal hair loss and there is no cause for concern. If hair loss is limited between 50 and 100 hairs per day, then the hair is simply replaced by new hair and everything remains in balance. To make matters worse, when you see your hair on your pillowcase or in the shower you seem to become more sensitive to each new hair you see falling out. You focus on it more and that alone makes it seem worse.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Hereditary hair loss. This is genetically determined hair loss. It is a fairly common type of hair loss in women. It is called androgenetic because women inherit the genes for hair loss just like men. This is caused by the coming together of androgens, which is a male hormone, and the genes we inherit from both sides of the family. This, surprisingly, can affect a large percentage of women, often as early as their 20s or 30s. Sometimes this is exacerbated or triggered by changes in the delicate balance of male hormones disrupted by the stages of pre-menopause. When this happens, women may experience hair that thins, often this is most commonly seen on the dividing parts of the hair. That part doesn't look as full as before. Why it is that hereditary hair loss in women is now more common than it used to be is not yet well established. However, a few factors probably play a role in this:

• Women started taking the pill (hormones) in the 1960s.
• The woman is now also as stressed as the man.
• What was (formerly?) in our food (hormones)?
• Might environmental pollution have something to do with it?

Telogen Effluvium

Most people simply call this Effluvium, which also means efflorescence. It refers to the natural process of hair loss. These are the small hairs you notice when you comb, brush or wash your hair. This is part of the normal life cycle of your hair growth. Hair grows on your head for 3 or 4 years, then goes into dormancy for 3 or 4 months and then falls out to make way for new hair to take their place. This process can be exacerbated by postpartum stress, pregnancy, anemia, blood loss from menstrual cycle or certain medications.

Alopecia Areata

This is an autoimmune related disease that is genetic. It is often recognized by circular spots. Can also affect other areas of the body such as the legs, eyebrows, eyelashes, etc. Typically, hair can grow back there as well without treatment.

Pseudo or follicular degeneration.

This is more common in women with afro hair who often have their hair permed, uncurled and other cosmetic treatments. After years of using dyes and harsh chemicals on the scalp, it can have a negative effect on the hair follicles deep in the scalp and can scar and even loosen the hair follicle.

This publication is brought to you by Zantman Clinic. More publications can be found at news.