Luscious thick shiny hair is directly linked to our self-esteem, femininity and beauty. It frames our faces and sets character and style. Just think back to one of your bad hair days. How depressing is that? Some women don’t even leave the house on a bad hair day – no kidding. Hair is often taken for granted but once the hair is gone, or hair thinning is visible a number of unpleasant feelings surface and they are are as much psychological as they are physical.

It is a myth that hair thinning or hair loss are men’s issues. Hair loss and various forms of alopecia do not discriminate too much and are certainly not limited to the male population.  The presentation though can vary between sexes. For example, typically, women do not get a receding hairline but they do get an overall thinning of the hair and baldness at the crown, as well as widening of the parting. An astonishing more than 40% of women experience hair thinning issues at some stage of their lives.

Main causes for female hair loss and hair thinning

• Heredity

Hair loss can depend on the genes contributed by both parents. Because hereditary hair loss is gradual, the sooner treatment is started, the better the results will be. Checking your family tree to see if you have a possible genetic predisposition to hair loss might help you recognize the symptoms early enough to slow the progression

• Stress

Chronic or long-term stress can wreak havoc on your body. If you notice your hair falling out, try a relaxing new hobby, or take your holidays

• Hair elastics and hair stretching

Too-tight ponytails and overuse of hair elastics can create a constant pull, and over time, this can cause a condition called traction alopecia. Try gentler styles, or let your hair down for a while. Tight braiding and weaving may cut off blood circulation that feeds the hair follicles

• Medical condition

Hair loss could be your body’s way of telling you that you have hypothyroidism, autoimmune disorders, or even certain heart conditions. Poor blood circulation, overactive thyroid gland may imbalance androgens and estrogen hormones, metabolite of testosterone

• Prescription Medicine

Chemotherapy, Isotretinoin, and other pharmaceuticals can cause hair loss. If possible, ask your doctor to consider a different medication, or perhaps he or she can adjust the dosage. Too much intake of Vitamin A. When take medication ensure that you eat a healthy diet and especially water. Some drugs tend to dehydrate your body which leads to dry and weak hair that falls off easily.

• Hormones

Puberty, menopause, aging, and hyperaldosteronism can all cause hair loss.

Effects of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone - male sex hormone) on the hair follicles. Hair follicles miniaturisation resulting in a shorter lifespan and the abnormal production of hair. How much DHT women produce depends on their genetics; the more hormone is produced, the greater and more widespread miniaturization is, hence the greater hair loss.

• Hair Products

Alkaline shampoos, chemicals, hair dyes, perms and bleaching irritate the scalp and the hair follicles. Same applies to oil treatments – they may radiate too deep and cause tissue and hair follicle damage. Also alcohol-based hairsprays and hair gels may dry out the scalp and the hair follicles.

 Not all hair loss condition can be treated the same way

With the wide variety of reasons, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. A treatment that affects DHT won’t work when it is caused by an immune response, or physical trauma. If you’re experiencing hair loss, it’s important to identify the underlying cause of your problem well before you begin to undertake treatment for it.

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