Hair loss is the process of hair becoming thin, bald, or falling out. Hair loss can affect men and women of all ages, including children and seniors. Some causes of hair loss include genetics, Stress, poor diet, aging, and hormone imbalance. Hair loss in women is most often caused by the hormones produced during the menstrual cycle.
Symptoms Of hair loss
Hair loss can have a lot of symptoms varying from one individual to the other. Hair changes that are noticeable includes:
- More hair is on the hairbrush or floor than usual.
Women with the symptoms mentioned above are highly advised to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Some cases of hair loss tend to last for weeks, months, and even years resulting in complete head baldness. This serious condition may need medical intervention to avoid further complications.
- Dandruff, scabs, and nose bleeds
Dandruff, dry scalp, and nose bleeds are clear signs of hair loss. The reasons behind dandruff and skin irritation are not always known, but these symptoms may occur due to the growth of fungus in the scalp.
- Hair that breaks off easily
Hair breakage often occurs on the ends of the hair and is usually related to poor hair care practices. However, in cases of hair loss in women, breakage often occurs near the scalp because of thinning edges or from traction.
- Thicker hair in other areas of the body
Hair on the arms, legs, and face may become coarser and thicker in women experiencing hair loss.
What causes hair loss in women? There are many reasons why hair loss occurs in women:
- Hormonal imbalance
The imbalance of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone can cause hair loss in women. This includes the onset of menopause, after which a woman may experience hair loss, dry skin, flashes, mood swings, and depression. Moreover, a deficiency of hormones can also lead to spotting on the eyebrows, eyelashes, and sometimes the face.
- Increased metabolism and Stress
Stress is very common in today’s world. Stress causes hair shedding and may lead to hair loss on the scalp. Anxiety can be due to traumatic events, everyday work, or constant worries. It is most common in women under the age of 30 years. In addition, Stress can cause hair to be thin or split, and many other problems.
The increased metabolism rate of women may spell trouble for those with an overactive thyroid gland. An overactive thyroid can affect your body’s production of hair and skin, causing sudden hair loss and dry skin on your face and body.
- Environmental Conditions
The weather and the environment you live in can affect your hair quality and quantity. Exposure to extreme weather and the abundance of chemicals found in house dust are two conditions that cause hair loss in women.
- Medications and supplements
Some medications used to treat mental illness and depression can cause hair loss. Also, specific over-the-counter vitamins and mineral supplements may interfere with your body’s ability to grow hair, causing hair loss. A lack of iron, vitamin B12, and biotin may cause hair loss. This is because they are essential in producing keratin and melanin, vital hair nutrients as they help make the hair strong and shiny.
- Hairstyles and treatments
The hairstyles and the treatments can also cause hair loss in women. Tight ponytails, cornrows, and pig tailed braids put undue Stress on your hair follicles and tear out your hair roots. Treatments like dyes, permanents, or relaxers can also deprive your hair of its natural moisture content, causing breakage and shedding.
How to prevent hair loss in women
There is no permanent cure for hair loss in women. However, some methods can be used to reduce the frequency of hair loss. As you age, thinning of hair occurs every year and every month. The average age for which women experience thinning of their hair is 30. It is crucial to address the issue by this point so that it does not lead to full-blown baldness in your life.
- Take vitamins.
As mentioned above, vitamins are critical for producing keratin and melanin, which are needed to make hair strong and shiny. Vitamin A is particularly important for forming a protective layer on the hair. Vitamin B 7, or biotin, is also beneficial for hair growth. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant for hair loss. Some foods with a high vitamin D level include fatty fish, yogurt, meat, and eggs. Vitamin E is present in nuts and seeds. It is also available in many oils, such as olive and sunflower. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Iron is also essential because it is a component of protein. It is needed to make keratin and melanin. Selenium and zinc are also necessary for hair growth. They can be found in whole grains and vegetables.
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- Maintain good hair and scalp care.
Your hair health is directly linked to the condition of your scalp. It is essential to wash and condition your hair regularly, mainly if dyes or permanent ones are used. Hair sprays, gels, and many styling products can also dry out your scalp and cause a lot of damage in the long run. Be sure to use good quality, sulfate-free shampoos that will not strip the natural oils from your hair and scalp.
- Try low-level laser light therapy.
There are many types of light therapy machines available in the market. These therapy machines use a low-level infrared laser light on the scalp. Laser light therapy helps to stimulate tissue growth by using heat. This can be used as a cost-effective way to promote hair growth.
These steps will help to minimize the rate of hair loss and promote hair growth in case you have already started to lose your hair.
Hair loss can be devastating and very depressing in a woman’s life because it is one of the essential qualities a woman has – maintaining her femininity and beauty. Thus losing her hair is like losing an integral part of her character. Women use various sources such as medications, supplements, and hairstyles to cope with this situation.