When your brush quickly becomes clogged with hair or you start finding an increasing number of loose strands in your clothes, it’s enough to make any woman uncomfortable—especially if you’re also getting older. But in most cases, it’s a normal part of aging. To look for found that more than 50% of women over 50 experience female pattern hair loss (on the top of the head), which is the most common form of hair loss in women.
The simple truth is: time is not on your side when it comes to holding the hair on your head. “You probably have the thickest, most luxurious hair between the ages of 15 and 30,” says Dr. Mary Lupo, a New Orleans-based dermatologist. “After that, there is a gradual decline, followed by abrupt changes after menopause. Estrogen is very good for your hair. After menopause, women lose estrogen and hair.”
It is normal to lose 50 to 150 strands of hair per day. This may seem like a lot, but most people have around 100,000 strands of hair on their head at any given time. A strand of human hair has a life of its own cycle with four phases: anagen (growth phase), which lasts several years; the transition “catagen” period, which lasts a few weeks; telogen (resting phase), which lasts three to four months; and exogenous (spill). At this point, the follicle from which a hair sprouted begins to grow a new one. Fortunately, different hairs are in different phases of the growth cycle at any given time, which is why you don’t go bald every few years.
The problem is: “Once you decide you have hair loss, all you see is hair loss,” says Dr. Doris Day, associate clinical professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health and author of Beyond Beauty: Using the Power of Your Mind and Aesthetic Innovations to Look Naturally Young and Radiant.
But there are objective signs that the loss may be excessive. If you suddenly notice an enlargement on your part or can see your scalp through the hair in the front, these are signs that you may be losing too much. Other women notice that their ponytails are thinner than they used to be, or they discover clumps of hair in the shower drain or on their pillows.
The roots of the problem
Genetic factors often contribute to hair loss in women and can be passed down on both sides of the family. Additionally, emotional stress (such as that caused by the death of a loved one or a challenging move) or physiological strain (such as major surgery, rapid weight loss, or a severe case of COVID-19) can lead to significant hair loss. It may not happen immediately. “There is a stress delay—when stress happens, you don’t see the change in hair loss for three to four months because of the natural hair cycle,” says Day.
Furthermore, the presence of certain medical conditions (such as thyroid disorders, anemia, or polycystic ovary syndrome, known as PCOS for short) or the use of some medications (including certain antidepressants and high blood pressure medications) may contribute to excessive blood loss. hair in women. . AND nutritional deficiencies– particularly in vitamin D, iron and protein – may play a role in hair loss.
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Sometimes, intense hair styling practices can cause strands to fall out before they are ready to be shed naturally. “Around 40% of women lose extra hair every day due to the way they style their hair –[with] tight buns, pulled-back high ponytails, and hair extensions,” says Dr. Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a Dallas-based dermatologist.
On top of all this are the effects of aging. As the decades go by, women often lose more strands of hair and hair growth slows down. Additionally, the texture and density of the hair fiber changes so that “the new strands are thinner than when you were younger,” says Day. To look for found that hair shaft diameter increases among women up to age 45 and decreases thereafter; This change, combined with sparser hair density, can make hair thinning increasingly visible as women age.
“It’s important to understand that hair loss and thinning can be multifactorial—you can have multiple causes,” says Houshmand.
Hair loss solutions
If noticeable hair loss is bothering you, schedule a visit to a dermatologist, who can examine your scalp and order blood tests to check for possible underlying causes of your hair loss, says Houshmand.
If a medical condition is to blame, addressing it directly, perhaps with medication, may help restore growth. For example, if an excess of male hormones (androgens such as testosterone) is responsible for hair loss, as with PCOS, a diuretic called spironolactone, which has antiandrogenic effects, can be used off-label to increase growth. of hair in women, says Dr. Valerie D. Callender, founder and medical director of Callender Dermatology & Cosmetic Center in Glenn Dale, Maryland, and professor of dermatology at Howard University.
If a nutrient deficiency – involving iron, vitamin D or protein – is at the root of your hair loss, taking specific supplements can remedy the situation. “If you have low levels and return to normal, you will have more hair volume and not lose as much,” says Lupo.
You’ve probably seen or heard commercials for a nutritional supplement that promotes hair growth called Nutrafol – a blend of vitamins, minerals and botanical ingredients – and a study funded by the company found that taking it regularly increases hair growth and decreases hair loss in perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal women with hair loss. To look for found similar benefits with regular use of another supplement called Viviscal.
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If scalp conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis – which can involve dandruff, flaking or inflammation of the hair follicles – are the source of the problem, treat them with a shampoo that contains zinc pyrithione (such as Head and Shoulders) or ketoconazole (such as Nizoral ) can help with hair loss. “Lather your scalp more than your hair and give your scalp a vigorous massage to increase blood circulation to the area,” advises Lupo. “Let the shampoo sit for a few minutes before rinsing.”
For female pattern hair loss, minoxidil, an over-the-counter 5% foam preparation that is applied directly to the scalp once a day, may be helpful with continued use, says Callender. “If you stop using it, the benefits will stop within three months and you will return to baseline.”
If you are prone to hair loss, you may need to modify the way you care for your hair. Avoid pulling your hair into tight buns or ponytails or over-processing it (coloring, straightening, or other treatments). It also means treating your locks with TLC, including using a leave-in conditioner to hydrate your hair and a satin pillowcase to prevent stress on your hair while you sleep, says Callender.
None of these solutions are quick fixes. “With any hair loss remedy, it will take a minimum of six months before you see a positive effect,” says Lupo. And most women use more than one approach to control hair loss, experts say.
If these approaches don’t sufficiently address hair loss, dermatologists will have stronger weapons in their arsenals. These include laser and light therapy treatments, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections into the scalp, and hair transplant procedures. “There are many treatments,” says Callender, “and more are coming out.”
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
