We may often think of hair loss as a problem for men, but women are almost just as likely to have thinning hair. Although most women will notice it in their 50s or 60s, it can happen at any age and for a variety of reasons such as diet, lifestyle, medical conditions, stress, heredity, or even wearing hairstyles that are too tight.
Our scalp is home to about 100,000 hairs. Most of us shed about 50-100 strands every day, it is perfectly normal. But if it starts to fall out in clumps or you notice it getting thinner over time, do check with your doctor to see if you can get tested for hormone imbalances and thyroid problems. Another very common cause of hair thinning or increased shedding is inflammation of the scalp. This is commonly seen in dandruff, together with an itchy scalp, flaking, and irritation. However, if these symptoms go untreated, they may lead to hair thinning.
The life cycle of a single hair involves a growth phase of around four years, a brief transitional period as the strand is cut off from its blood supply, then a month-long resting phase, at the end of which, ideally, it’s pushed out by a new hair. On the other hand, for people dealing with genetic hair loss, the growth phase is shortened and some of the new hair comes in finer.
We share with you some reasons why women experience hair thinning or hair loss.
1. Genetics
Genetics are often a factor when it comes to thinning hair or hair loss. For instance, if a mother has a history of hair loss or thinning hair, it could be passed down to her daughter. But if genetics are the cause, the daughter might not begin to lose her hair at the same age as her mother did.
2. Thyroid levels
Thyroid levels might also be a contributor. As we age our thyroid may become less, but low or high levels can affect hair growth.
3. Harsh Chemicals
There are also “inflammatory” types of hair loss that can be caused by “scarring” the scalp. Going for hair colouring and the use of relaxers are some of the things that might cause hair loss due to hair breakage and damage. We need to know that as a woman grows older, her hair’s protective coating becomes thinner, so harsh chemicals have greater potential to cause hair damage. While hair dyes are quite common, some dyes have components that cause allergy or inflammation on the scalp and definitely should be avoided. Also, choose dyes that are ammonia free, because ammonia is very harsh on the hair.
4. Sun Exposure
As the hair ages, it tends to be more sensitive to the sun and can become more dry and brittle. If you’re going out in the sun, it will be good to wear a protective hat because UV light can cause more damage to the hair when it starts to lose its protective coating as you age.
5. Vitamin Deficiency
Some women may have a vitamin deficiency that can be contributed to thinning hair or hair loss. Iron can be helpful if those levels are low, and Vitamin B has been recorded to be helpful for hair growth. And zinc is another mineral that may help. A healthy diet will suffice for most people.
6. Stress
Stress can also be a contributor to hair thinning and hair loss. The stress hormone can be sensed by the nervous system which wraps around the hair follicle stem cells and causes the hair to respond differently. It is interesting to note that the hair follicle is a biosensor for everything going on in our body. Make sure all your nutrients and emotional state and hormonal state are in balance for a head of healthy mane.
Oriental Hair Solutions’s Hair Thickening Scalp Therapy is a solution to help you say goodbye to thinning hair. The treatment helps to cleanse and strengthen the scalp, making the hair stronger and less prone of breakage and damage. Now, you can get a Herbal formulated Hair Tonic complimentary with two sessions of the therapy for just $28 only (U.P. $538)! Furthermore, all Scalp Analysis will be done by Trichologist-Trained Certified Hair Practitioners. Call us to arrange a treatment for yourself or your loved ones now!