It’s a common myth that hair loss only happens in men. In fact, many women will go through hair loss, especially as they get older. 21 million women every year experience some form of hair thinning or loss[i], so understanding the facts about it can bring real peace of mind.
Baldness in Women – Does It Happen?
Yes, it can, but it’s far more likely women will develop thinner hair or intermittent patches of hair loss rather than go completely bald. Of course, that’s not always the case. Some women may suffer from extreme cases of alopecia, which can cause all the hair on the head to fall out. This is called alopecia totalis and is quite rare. Most women will experience hair coming out as additional strands or small clumps in the brush or comb, or noticeably thinner hair as they age. Occasionally, they may also notice bald patches, depending upon what’s causing their hair loss.
Causes of Hair Loss in Women
There are, surprisingly, many causes of hair loss in women. The most common causes include:
Drug side effects – not just extreme ones like chemo treatments which cause most or all of the hair to fall out, but some tablets or topical treatments could cause mild hair loss
Pregnancy often causes hair to get thicker, or change condition, so post-pregnancy women can experience sudden hair loss that’s quite alarming
Stress can cause different forms of hair loss, as can trauma or head injuries
Genetics has the biggest influence on female hair loss
Female Pattern Hair Loss Explained
Androgenetic alopecia, or female pattern baldness/hair loss, is the most common type of hair loss in women[ii]. Genetic traits determine that at a certain point in the woman’s life, her hair will start to thin. This is because hair goes into a resting state for several weeks. Each of these strands falls out, and usually, a new one would grow in its place. However, with androgenetic alopecia, fewer strands renew themselves leaving fewer hairs growing on the scalp after every resting phase.
Of course, this can be quite distressing. Hair is one of the first things people notice about us, so keeping it looking great is important for many people’s self-esteem. That’s why so many people turn to the experts when experiencing hair loss, to find the right remedies that will work for them.
If you’re suffering from female pattern hair loss Custom Hair can help. To schedule a free consultation, click here.
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[i] https://thehairsociety.org/hair-loss-statistics-the-facts/
[ii] https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0301/p1007.html