Say Goodbye to Thinning Hair
Although we often think of hair loss as a problem for men, women are almost just as likely to have thinning, hair. Most women notice it in their 50s or 60s, but it can happen at any age and for a variety of reasons such as what you eat and other lifestyle factors, medical conditions, stress,heredity, or even wearing hairstyles that are too tight.
The most common type of hair loss is a heredity condition called female pattern hair loss affecting about 30 million American women, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Our scalp is home to about 100,000 hairs. Most of us shed about 50-100 strands every day. If it starts to fall out in clumps or if you notice it getting thinner over time, check with your doctor to see if you can get tested for hormone imbalances and thyroid problems. For treatments options for hair loss, check out our tips below.
- 1
Minoxidil
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is approved by the FDA for female pattern hair loss. It can slow or stop it in most women and may help hair grow back. However, the benefits go away when you stop using it. Corticosteroids can help regrow hair for women with alopecia areata. If the cause is an underlying medical problem or poor nutrition, your locks should grow back on their own once things are under control.
- 2
Tight Hairstyles
Wearing cornrows or tight ponytails can irritate your scalp and cause hair to fall out. The same goes for using tight rollers. Let your hair down, and it should grow back normally. Be aware that long-term use of these styles can scar your scalp and lead to permanent hair loss.
- 3
Lasers
Brushes, combs, and other hand-held devices that emit laser light might stimulate hair growth. These devices might make hair look more youthful in some people. Because the FDA classifies these products as medical devices, the products do not undergo the rigorous testing that medicines undergo. The long-term effectiveness and safety for these devices are not known.
- 4
Hair Transplants
Hair transplants involve moving hair to thinning scalp areas from fuller areas. The trouble is, female pattern baldness causes thin hair all over, so good donor sites may be limited. It works better if your hair loss comes from male pattern baldness or scarring.
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New Style
Try a styling product for thin hair to hide bare spots. Apply it to the root area then gently blow dry to build volume. Let your hair air dry for a while before you use the dryer. Special cosmetics can disguise parts of your scalp that show. Scalp powders can hide thinning hair.