Female Hair Thinning

Female Hair Thinning

Are you suffering from hair thinning? Hair thinning in females is different from that of males. Here’s all you wanted to know about Female hair thinning – understand the root causes and follow the simple steps for management, prevention and treatment.

Hair Thinning or Alopecia is generally associated with males but females also suffer from it. Hair thinning in Males (Androgenetic Alopecia) leads to the characteristic male pattern baldness – hair disappears from the hair margin first (bitemporal recession) followed by the crown (central recession) resulting in a horse shoe shaped area of hair – the so called ‘Monk’s tonsure’. Female hair thinning shows a different kind of pattern called female pattern baldness where the hair is lost from all over the head instead of any specific areas as in males.

Psychological problems associated with hair thinning in females

Besides the obvious cosmetic challenge female hair thinning leads to several psychological side effects like loss of self esteem and low self confidence. The psychological consequences of hair thinning are generally more severe in females than in males.

Hair thinning in females

Female hair thinning starts after the age of 30 and progressively becomes more pronounced. Female hair thinning, generally, shows a more diffuse pattern of hair loss but may also show male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness in females may be a cause for concern specially if accompanied with excessive body hair. The two together denote high levels of circulating male hormones. These in turn may result from Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or Arrehnoblastoma, a kind of ovarian tumor. Menopause is also related with female hair thinning as estrogen becomes unavailable. When Estrogen levels fall after pregnancy conditions of female hair thinning may be seen.

Managing Female Hair Thinning

Management of hair thinning is a three step process

A) Look for causes and life style factors leading to female hair thinning.

B) Try alternative medicines like topical lotions and natural supplements to reduce female hair thinning.

C) Try chemical medication to retard female hair thinning.

Cheap chemical hair products are best avoided as they contain ingredients that may improve the appearance of hair in the short run but either make the hair brittle and lifeless or have a toxic effect on the root of the hair follicle, thus leading to increased hair thinning in females.

A female suffering from hair thinning should consider the following

1) Any one of the following may result in sudden hair thinning in females

a) Fever, infection including lupus and ringworm, surgery or trauma.

b) Scalp diseases like psoriasis and dermatitis.

c) Liver or kidney problems.

d) Anorexia nervosa or Crash dieting

e) Exposure to heavy metals like Selenium Arsenic or Thallium.

f) Certain medications like beta blockers, anticoagulants, certain epilepsy medicines and excess vitamin A.

2) Evaluation for high levels of Androgens specially testosterone and DHEA – on the advice of the dermatologist. Cyproterone – an anti androgen may be prescribed by the physician to retard female hair thinning. It is also present in some contraceptives.

3) Hypothyroidism – Low levels of thyroid function (often after pregnancy) lead to fat accumulation and female hair thinning.

4) Female hair thinning due to Traction – tight braiding and certain other hair styles pull the hair and may lead to female hair thinning.

5) Topical solution of Minoxidil 2% may be attempted to reduce female hair thinning though some sources suggest an efficacy rate of only 15%.

6) Relaxation – increases blood flow to the scalp and tends to reduce androgen levels thus promoting hair growth and reducing female hair thinning.

7) Nutrition – Vitamins like vitamin A, C and E help in maintaining the hair in good condition and slow down female hair thinning. Vitamin B6, biotin, folic acid etc are vital for general nutrition and robust hair growth. Proteins especially those containing the essential amino acid – Cysteine are necessary for keratin formation. Vegans may consider soy protein and topical supplements. Minerals like Sulfur, Zinc, Calcium and Silicon help in slowing down female hair thinning.

8) Excessive oil build up in the scalp, anxiety or tension, antimitotics used for chemotherapy, perming, hot air blow drying, and environmental pollution are the other causes that lead to severe female hair thinning.

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