Female
pattern hair loss or Androgenetic Alopecia
Being a woman with hair loss can be devastating. This
guide reviews the causes of female hair loss, and the hair
loss products that can help stop it. As a woman, you don't
need to suffer anymore. The most common type of hair loss
seen in women is androgenetic alopecia, also known as female
pattern alopecia or baldness. This is seen as hair thinning
predominantly over the top and sides of the head. It affects
approximately one-third of all susceptible women, but is
most commonly seen after menopause, although it may begin as
early as puberty. Normal hair fall is approximately 100-125
hairs per day. Fortunately, these hairs are replaced. True
hair loss occurs when lost hairs are not regrown or when the
daily hair shed exceeds 125 hairs. Genetically, hair loss
can come from either parents side of the family.
There are two different types of hair loss, medically
known as anagen effluvium and
Telogen effluvium. Anagen effluvium is generally
due to internally administered medications, such as
chemotherapy agents, that poison the growing hair follicle.
Telogen effluvium, is due to an increased number of hair
follicles entering the resting stage.
The most common causes of telogen effluvium are:
- Physical stress: surgery, illness,
anemia, rapid weight change.
- Emotional stress: mental illness, death
of a family member.
- Thyroid abnormalities.
- Medications: High doses of Vitamin A,
Blood pressure and Gout medications.
- Hormonal causes: pregnancy, birth
control pills, menopause.
When the above causes of telogen effluvium are reversed
or altered you should see the return of normal hair growth.
Diet considerations
Hair loss may also occur due to dieting. Franchised diet
programs which are designed or administered under the
direction of a physician with prescribed meals, dietary
supplements and vitamin ingestion have become popular.
Sometimes the client is told that vitamins are a necessary
part of the program to prevent hair loss associated with
dieting. From a dermatologists' standpoint, however, the
vitamins cannot prevent hair loss associated with rapid,
significant weight loss. Furthermore, many of these
supplements are high in vitamin A which can magnify the hair
loss.
Physical and emotional stress
Surgeries, severe illnesses and emotional stress can
cause hair loss. The body simply shuts down production of
hair during periods of stress since it is not necessary for
survival and instead devotes its energies toward repairing
vital body structures. In many cases there is a three month
delay between the actual event and the onset of hair loss.
Furthermore, there may be another three month delay prior to
the return of noticeable hair regrowth. This then means that
the total hair loss and regrowth cycle can last 6 months or
possibly longer when induced by physical or emotional
stress. There are some health conditions which may go
undetected that can contribute to hair loss. These include
anemia or low blood count and thyroid abnormalities. Both of
these conditions can be detected by a simple, inexpensive
blood test.
Hormonal considerations
Hormonal changes are a common cause of female hair loss.
Many women do not realize that hair loss can occur after
pregnancy or following discontinuation of birth control
pills. It is important to remember that the hair loss may be
delayed by three months following the hormonal change and
another three months will be required for new growth to be
fully achieved.
Products for the treatment of hair loss
We offer a variety of products for treatment of hair
loss. Please click here to see all
products or here for the
Dermaray Laser for hair loss. |