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Hair is one of the first things people notice about us when we meet them. Hair conveys aspects about your style and personality. Throughout their lives, particularly as they age, hair care may become even more important for women. Some researchers found that beginning in the late 20th century, perceptions about old age began to shift. It became increasingly important for older women to have groomed, managed hair to avoid negative perceptions related to aging. Some women begin to experience hair loss as they age, particularly during menopause. Hair loss in women over 50 is a common problem. It can be distressing and negatively affect self-esteem, but there are many strategies and treatments to manage hair loss in women.
The medical term for baldness is alopecia. Complete baldness of the scalp is alopecia totalis. Continue reading to learn more about what causes hair loss in women and about treatment strategies. You’ll learn that some types of hair loss in women are temporary, while others may be permanent and require treatment. Reasons for hair loss in women are varied.
We think of hair loss as a common problem in men, but women experience it, too. Fewer than 45% of women go through their whole lives with a full head of hair. What causes hair loss in women? Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is a common cause, and it increases with advancing age. This type of hair loss may begin in a woman’s 40s, 50s, or 60s. It is hereditary, and genes inherited from the mother, father, or both may contribute to the condition. Women who experience hair loss often experience psychological distress and impaired social functioning as a result of it. As female pattern hair loss tends to be a chronic, progressive condition, early diagnosis and treatment are critical. This may help arrest subsequent hair loss.
Some treatments may even help stimulate the growth of new hair. See your dermatologist if you are experiencing hair loss. Stopping hair loss in women is possible depending on the cause and how soon the problem is identified. Early treatment may slow or reverse hair loss in women. A trichologist is a dermatologist who specializes in the health of the scalp and hair.
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a treatment that may help regrow hair and reverse hair loss in women. The lasers are available for home use and in doctor's offices. Laser therapy must be used for between 2 to 4 months before results are visible. Laser therapy is an alternative to medication and hair transplant surgery. The devices are approved by the FDA, but the approval process for devices is not as stringent as it is for medications that undergo a rigorous clinical trial process. Long-term safety and efficacy data for low-level laser therapy is not available. Laser therapy may be effective for 50% of men over the age of 40 and 75% of women over the age of 65 who suffer from certain kinds of hair loss.
Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure in which a doctor removes hair from part of the scalp and transfers it to areas of the scalp where it is thinning. In cases of female pattern hair loss, hair may be thin all over, so it may be difficult to find adequate donor sites for harvesting hair. Hair transplantation is more effective for those who suffer from male pattern baldness or those who suffer from thinning of the frontal scalp. Patients may need multiple sessions to achieve desired results.
Steve Gschmeissner / Photo Researchers
Composite image: photo by Image Source, illustration by Peggy Firth and Susan Gilbert for WebMD
Composite image: photo by Alix Minde/PhotoAlto, illustration by 3D4Medical.com
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Interactive Medical Media, LLC
National Geographic Society / Imagestate RF
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Steve Pomberg, Anna Webb/ WebMD
American Academy of Dermatology: "Do You Have Hair Loss or Hair Shedding?" "Hair Loss in New Moms," "Hairstyles That Pull Can Lead to Hair Loss," "Thinning Hair and Hair Loss: Could It Be Female Pattern Hair Loss?" "What Causes Hair Loss in Women?"
AARP: "Fat Tricks for Thin Hair."
American Cancer Society: "Hair Loss."
American Family Physician: "Alopecia in Women."
American Hair Loss Association: "Degree of Hair Loss," "Drug Induced Hair Loss," "Oral Contraceptives," "Women Transplants."
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: "Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss."
American Pregnancy Association: "Pregnancy and Hair Loss."
CDC: "Symptoms of Ringworm Infections."
FDA: "Health Fraud Scams - Hair Loss."
International Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism: "Female Pattern Hair Loss."
Journal of Cell Science: "The Hair Cycle."
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine: "Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy (LLLT) for Treatment of Hair Loss."