Understanding Female Hair Loss

Losing between 50-100 strands of hair each day is normal. But, finding clumps of hair in the shower or on your pillow isn’t. We know hair loss can be devastating for women. When other treatments fail, our hair restoration and transplant specialists at Advanced Robotic Hair Restoration Centers in Hauppauge, New York, are here to help.

What is female hair loss?

Some hairs grow while other hairs fall out. This is the normal cycle of hair growth that keeps everything in balance. When more hair falls out than grows back, there’s a problem. The medical term for hair loss is alopecia. 

Excessive hair loss on the scalp can affect a woman’s self-esteem and confidence. Some women cover it with a different hairstyle, hats, scarves, or wigs. That way they don’t have to feel self-conscious about it when they go out.

Female-pattern baldness affects about 30 million women in the U.S. Female hair loss can be hereditary or caused by many other factors.

What causes female hair loss?

Female hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors. It can be as simple as wearing braids or ponytails too tight. Other causes include:

• Pregnancy
• Getting older
• Use of harsh hair dyes and styling tools
• Rough towel drying after a shower
• A family history of hair loss
• Side effects of medication
• Stressors on the body like surgery, pregnancy, or extreme weight loss
• Toxicity from chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Medical conditions like anemia, polycystic ovary syndrome, or psoriasis
• An autoimmune disorder called alopecia areata
• A change in hormone levels during menopause
• Other factors like thyroid hormone levels or vitamin deficiencies

Signs of female hair loss

You may notice large clumps of hair in the shower, on a towel, or on your pillow. Other signs include:

• Hair that breaks off easily
• Extra hair in your brush or comb
• Smaller ponytails
• Noticeable patches of thinning hair

What you can do

There are things you can do at home to protect your hair. Here are a few ideas:

• Apply hair color to add volume and hide some imperfections
• Use high-quality volumizing hair products (ask your stylist for recommendations)
• Be gentle when you style your hair; limit the use of hot rollers and curling irons
• Don’t make your ponytails too tight 

How is female hair loss treated?

Treatment for female hair loss depends on the cause. Your doctor may suggest changes in your hair-care or styling routine, certain vitamins or nutritional supplements, a change in your diet, or medicated shampoos. If these conservative measures fail, the next step would be to try hair restoration.

We can help

If your hair is thinning or you’re experiencing female hair loss, book a consultation with one of our caring experts at Advanced Robotic Hair Restoration Centers today. Request an appointment online or call 631-215-3947.