Hair loss in women starts from hair thinning. Here's everything women can do to avoid panicking and start regrowing new hair on their scalp quicker.
The most common cause of hair thinning in both men and women is a condition called Androgenetic Alopecia, female-pattern baldness. It affects about 50% of all people by the time they're 35 years old, but it doesn't mean you have to go bald!
Think about it this way: women have a lot of hair on their heads, yet they don't go bald. So if you are losing your hair, there's nothing to worry about because it just means that you're doing the same thing as other women (you're losing a fraction of your hair).
The most common cause of female-pattern baldness is genetics; you inherit it from your parents. If your mom or dad went bald around the sides or back of their head but hasn't lost any hair on the top of their head or in the middle, then you probably won't either.
What are the causes of hair thinning in women?
There are many things that can cause temporary thinning of hair: sun exposure, product buildup, and breakage due to dryness, brushing, and/or improper styling tools can all result in temporary thinning hair.
Sun exposure: Do not stay in the sun for long periods of time. You know how they say that you should wear sunscreen if you want to protect your skin? Well, it's true! It will affect your hair follicles and may even cause thinning or significant hair loss.
Styling products buildup: Using too many styling products can also be a reason why some women lose their hair (this is temporary). If you constantly apply hair styling products onto your scalp, you're weighing down the roots of your hair. This makes it more difficult for new, growing hairs to break through and reach the surface of the scalp. When this happens, new hairs are often thinner at firstβbut they will grow as you let them air-dry without putting any extra products on top of them. Remember, hair styling products are not meant to be used every day and even when you are using them, you should do it in small amounts. Don't put too much on your scalp!
Brushing your hair too frequently: Brushing hair too often can also cause breakage of the very ends of the hair shaft, causing thinning.
You probably won't notice thinning hair until you wash your hair and really examine it. It's easy to be fooled by how much of your hair is on the brush because when you're washing your hair, all of that shed hair washes down the drain instead of ending up in the sink or being trapped in a towel.
So even if you think that you are losing a lot more than usual, don't worry about it too much yet! You may just need to change your routine for stronger, healthier-looking locks!
4 Things Women Can Do to Regrow Thinning Hair
Now that we know what causes hair to thin out, it's important to note that you can do a few things to help regrow thinning or lost hair. It's not all doom and gloom. Here are 4 things you can do to start regrowing thinning hair.
1) Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a topical medication included in most products that you can buy from Nisim that you put right on your scalp to stimulate hair regrowth in women. It's an over-the-counter solution, unlike Propecia (which is very effective but also very pricey and requires a prescription). And the best part? It can work as soon as 12 weeks after you start using it! So if you have noticeably thinning hair or are losing your hair, give minoxidil a tryβyou've got nothing to lose but those extra few strands of hair falling all over your face.
If more than 50% of your head has thinned out, then ask your doctor about Propecia.
2) Hair Growth Supplements
There are several hair growth supplements on the market today that help to regrow thinning hair in women. These supplements work by providing your body with the necessary nutrients that are important for hair regrowth. Not only do these supplements help you grow thick, strong hair but they also can increase the rate at which your hair grows.
If you are thinking about trying a supplement, talk to your doctor first so that he or she can recommend an appropriate one for you. You want to make sure that it won't interfere with any medications that you take because there may be some dangerous interactions. Also, I recommend that you only start taking them after at least 12 weeks of using the minoxidil solution.
Supplements like collagen peptides and biotin can be very effective in helping you regrow hair. Just make sure you aren't overpaying for any of those products because there are a lot of big-name brands that charge upwards of $50 a pop for these supplements which is outrageous!
3) Topical Retinoids
Topical retinoids are medications that are prescribed by dermatologists to treat skin conditions such as acne. While they work best for the purpose that they were intended, some women have reported that using a topical retinoid on their scalp has helped them regrow hair. A few months after starting this treatment, they noticed new growth in areas where hair was thinning out.
If you would like to try using a topical retinoid to help with your thinning hair, you should know that there is always a chance of experiencing side effects. The most common side effect is contact dermatitis, which often turns into an inflammation of the face or body areas. Some people experience more severe side effects such as burn-like scaly patches on the scalp. If you want to try topical retinoids like tretinoin or retinol, talk to your dermatologist first.
3) Laser therapy
In laser therapy for hair regrowth, laser light is applied to your scalp with the hope of stimulating new hair growth. The newest type of laser therapy uses low-level lasers instead of high-energy lasers which have been really helpful in improving its effectiveness without causing side effects such as thermal damage. A lot of women have reported success with this type of treatment, although some say it takes years before you will notice any changes in your hairline.
Conclusion
Women can regrow thinning hair by using minoxidil, hair growth supplements, and topical retinoids. Talk to your doctor first before trying any of these treatments as they may cause side effects that are worse than the problem you're trying to solve! The most important thing is talking with a dermatologist about which treatment will work best for you. If all else fails, laser therapy may be just what you need in order to get back on track after noticing significant thinning or lost hair.