What are the Causes of Female Hair Loss?

Let us understand hair growth cycle & how hair grows in the first place. It’s a cycle, comprising of three phases:

• Anagen: Active growth occurs; lasts 2-6 years.
• Catagen: Transitional growth occurs; lasts 2-3 weeks.
• Telogen: Resting phase; lasts a few months.

By the end of the resting phase, hair is shed, and replaced by new hair in the anagen phase. At any point in time, about 90% of the hair on your scalp is growing. Each follicle has its own lifecycle and losing about 100 hair a day is normal. So finding a few stray hairs on your hairbrush daily is no cause for alarm.

Let’s check the reasons which can lead to hair fall.

• Genetic predisposition
• Hormonal imbalance
• Infections like ringworm
• Drugs (chemotherapy drugs, blood thinners, oral contraceptives, etc.)
• Burns
• Injuries
• Radiation
• Stress of surgery or childbirth
• Medical disorders (thyroid disorders, eating disorders, diabetes, anemia, etc.)
• Autoimmune conditions (alopecia areata) can all be responsible for causing hair loss, medically known as “alopecia”.

Majorly, they do so by shortening the anagen, that is, the growth phase. Watch this video to understand more about hair loss and hair thinning in females.

Hair is made up of a protein called keratin, present in the follicles. Also, being the second fastest growing cells in the body, hair cells need energy. Therefore, a diet rich in protein and with recommended calorie allowance is essential for normal hair growth. Another essential aspect is avoiding faulty practices like shampooing too often, tight braiding, bleaching and dyeing of hair, etc. This can cause thinning of your hair, making them brittle and likely to fall off.

It is better to ensure that you’re following a healthy hair diet and hair care routine. You need to know diet also plays a vital role in maintaining healthy hair. The foods which are good for your hairs are:

• Eggs
• Berries
• Omega 3 fatty acid – flax seeds, fish (mackerel, salmon)
• Avocado is a good source of vitamin E
• Sweet potato is a good source of vitamin C

The good news is, that if the underlying conditions are treated in time, the hair loss can be reversible, and it is possible to regrow hair, especially in the initial stages of its loss.

There are many medications that help to stimulate regrowth, but the most reliable and useful medication is Finasteride and Minoxidil. They work especially well when the cause for hair loss is the hormonal imbalance. Finasteride decreases the androgen activity on the scalp; minoxidil acts by prolonging the anagen phase, besides its vasodilatory action. Finasteride has to be taken orally, and minoxidil is applied topically as a solution. Finasteride men can use and post-menopause women are advisable. Minoxidil and finasteride work well if used together.

Evidence-based modalities like

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
• Mesotherapy
• Dermaroller
• Low-level laser light therapy (LLLT)

If you follow proper hair care and hair loss treatments in the initial stages to have good and beautiful hair.

In conclusion, hair loss in women can be caused by various factors, from genetics to lifestyle choices. Understanding the reasons behind hair loss and taking early action with proper care and treatments can help restore healthy hair. If you found this post helpful, feel free to share it with others and reach out with any questions. Take care of your hair, and it will shine like never before! Thank you for reading!