Hair Loss in Women
Women get hair loss too.
It can be scary, and it’s actually more common than you may think – and the social and psychological implications can be far more adverse in some cases. We understand that a woman’s hair can be a major identifying feminine feature, and when it starts to thin or fall out, the effects can be devastating.
Don’t worry. We’re here to help.
Women’s Hair Loss Explained
Female Pattern Baldness can range from general thinning all over the scalp, while the frontal hairline is maintained, to moderate hair loss throughout the crown of the head. Whilst hair loss rarely progresses to near or total baldness in women, full-blown alopecia areata can occur in both men and women.
The incidence of androgenic alopecia among women is thought to be lowest in the late twenties, indicating earliest onset of the condition, followed by a gradual increase until peak incidence occurs at 50 years of age and over.
Although testosterone is present in minimal amounts in females, even slight changes to the established balance can result in excess DHT (dihydrotestosterone) production, where this is thought to be the leading cause of hair loss.
We also have many patients whose hair has simply lost quality and texture due to the stresses of pregnancy or other environmental and lifestyle factors.
As our solution is 100% natural, we’ve been popular with women who dream of thick, lustrous and glossy hair but do not want to ruin their hair via application of potent chemicals, using hair extensions or by undergoing invasive surgical procedures.
Causes of Hair Loss in Women
Genetics
The genes thought to be responsible for hair loss may potentially be sex-linked, suggesting that it is a hereditary phenomenon particularly dominated by an individual’s maternal line. This leads to irregular hormone levels in affected individuals, where quantities of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase have been found to be higher than per usual in people with thinning hair.
This enzyme is responsible for converting the male sex hormone testosterone into the form dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, in both males and females. DHT is known to bind to hair follicles, thereby inhibiting their growth and leading to hair loss over time.
Environmental
Today’s modern civilisation has introduced various environmental problems that can inflict hair weakness and distress. Factors that affect the health of your hair include air pollution, artificial lighting, dry air and harmful UV rays.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle factors that can damage your hair and promote hair loss include elevated daily stress levels, a poor diet, inappropriate dietary supplements, certain medications, and harsh over-the-counter hair care products as well as excessive use of hair dyes, straighteners & perms.
Other Possible Causes of Hair Loss
- Sudden weight loss,
- Crash dieting,
- Anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder that features a severe loss of appetite for food)
- Vitamin and/or mineral deficiency (particularly zinc and iron)
- Poor nutrition
- Exposure to radiation or harmful UV rays
- Ageing, excess exposure to artificial hair products or styling
- Certain skin conditions
- Hormonal abnormalities
- Post-pregnancy
- Menopause
- An underactive thyroid gland
- Poor personal body care or hygiene
- Astute illness and fever
- Poisoning
- Poor circulation
- Trauma
- Depression
- Surgery
- Consuming drug medication (particularly those used to treat cancer)
- Misdirected auto-immune response (body’s defensive systems self-destruct due to hereditary factors or emotional factors such as stress or anxiety).
Your First Step – SRS Hair Check Up
Your first port of call should be to attend a hair analysis consultation with a member of our experienced team.
Hair loss is progressive – the earlier the intervention, the better the outcome, so call us now with any questions you may have. We’re here to help.
SRS Hair Analysis
SRS Hair Clinic will conduct a one-of-a-kind microscopic hair examination to determine the exact cause of your hair loss using two different microscopes.
Under the first microscope, the technician will look deep into a hair sample to see what (if any) deformation there is at the root of your hair.
The second microscope will then narrow in on a small section of your scalp to determine the density of hair growth and assess the general condition of your hair and scalp, as well as to examine how advanced the problem has become.
Through the use of our microscopes and a deeper look into your lifestyle habits and genetic predispositions, we will be able to determine the exact cause of the loss of your “crowning glory”.
