Call (866) 471-8869 for FREE Consultation
Heredity is the Most Common Contributor to Female Hair Loss
by April Maguire
Perhaps one of the worst kept secrets is that women suffer from hair loss at nearly the same rate as men. In fact, an estimated 40% of the hair loss sufferers in the United States are women, with nearly 50% of women experiencing a noticeable amount of hair loss by the time they reach 50 years old. So what is the most common cause of female hair loss and, perhaps more importantly, is there anything that can be done about it?
Hair Loss Causes
Far and away, the most common cause of hair loss in women is androgenic alopecia, or female-pattern baldness. Unlike men, who typically experience androgenic alopecia at the hairline and on the crown of the head, women who suffer from this condition see a diffuse thinning of their hair across their entire scalp. Although androgenic alopecia can have a number of contributing causes, the condition is largely hereditary, and female pattern baldness tends to run in families.
In addition to androgenic alopecia, women also commonly experience hair loss thanks to a condition known as telogen effluvium, or TE, which occurs when an abnormally high number of hair follicles all enter the resting phase at the same time. While androgenic alopecia typically has genetic causes, TE often has environmental or situational causes, such as increased stress, illness, improper diet or certain medications. Also, unlike female pattern baldness, TE can often be reversed once the issue causing the condition is resolved.
Potential Solutions
Although there might be no guaranteed way to save your hair against androgenic alopecia or telogen effluvium, there are some steps you can take to help limit the fallout, so to speak. For starters, if you’re noticing that your hair is thinning, try not to engage in practices that cause it undue stress. Don’t pull your hair back into tight ponytails, use excessive coloring or blow-dry your hair until it’s hot to the touch. If giving your hair a break doesn’t stem the tide of hair loss, then it may be time to try a minoxidil-based topical solution, such as Rogaine. Even though topical creams are far from a universal solution, they do work for some women.
Unfortunately, battling hair loss is tricky. Given the number of different causes, it can sometimes be hard to nail down a surefire solution. If you’re experiencing hair loss, the best option is to talk to your doctor and try to formulate a hair loss battle plan together.
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about hair loss and how to treat it, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!
Call 866-471-8869 for FREE Consultation
