Thinning Hair in Women: What Does It Mean and What to Do About It
About 40% of people who suffer from hair loss are women. Unfortunately, thinning hair in women could indicate another health problem. If you’re shedding more than 125 hairs per day, you might want to pinpoint what’s causing your hair to thin.
Understanding the root cause of the problem can help you determine the best course of action to improve your hair health.
What does your thinning hair mean? Read on to find out!
What Causes Hair Loss
On average, we shed about 50 to 100 strands of hair a day. When you experience excessive hair shedding beyond that, it could indicate a bigger problem.
If you’re shedding hair more often, it could contribute to thinning hair as well, causing the appearance of sparser spots of hair on your head.
Both genetics and certain lifestyle factors could cause hair thinning.
For example, you might notice your hair is growing thinner if you:
- Have a vitamin D deficiency
- Recently had a baby
- Have a skin infection or disorder
- Have immune system deficiencies
- Are going through hormonal changes
- Recently stopped taking birth control pills
- Loss a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time
- Are receiving treatment for an autoimmune disorder
- Have an eating disorder
Your thinning hair could be hereditary or due to an underlying health condition, too. For example, you might notice changes to your hair during menopause.
Women in menopause might notice hair growing where it didn’t before or that their hair is starting to thin. This can occur due to changing levels of hormones during menopause. When estrogen and progesterone levels drop, it can cause androgens to increase.
Hair can become finer and thinner as hair follicles shrink as a result.
Here are a few lifestyle habits that can cause your hair to thin as well.
Hair Treatments and Styles
Perhaps you’re overtreating your hair. Consider the color treatments, perms, and relaxers you use on a regular basis. Think about the harsh hair products you’re using, too.
Some hair products like extreme-hold gels and hair sprays can cause your hair to thin over time.
Wearing your hair in tight hairstyles can contribute to thinning hair as well. For example, maybe you pull your hair up in a ponytail or wear an updo each day. Tugging on your hair and breaking it from the follicles can cause thinning.
Diet
Not many people realize their diet can contribute to thinning hair as well.
For example, it’s possible you’ve developed nutrient deficiencies. Without the proper vitamins and minerals, your hair could become weak and brittle.
Make sure you’re getting enough iron, folic acid, and other hair-healthy minerals in your diet.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a specific type of hair loss that occurs due to an increased number of hair follicles reaching the telogen phase. The telogen phase is the stage in your hair cycle when hair falls out.
Telogen effluvium hair thinning might occur due to extreme physical stress. For example:
- Losing a lot of weight
- Surgery
- Illness
- Having a baby
- Anemia
Extreme emotional stress like the death of a loved one or mental illness can cause telogen effluvium hair loss, too.
Other potential causes include hormonal changes, blood pressure medications, and high doses of vitamin A. An abnormal thyroid can contribute to your hair thinning as well.
Chronic Stress
Chronic stress can cause cortisol levels to rise. Too much stress triggers a condition like telogen effluvium, which can impact your hair health.
If you’re struggling with chronic stress, you might also pull at your own hair, causing it to thin out.
Think about what’s causing your stress levels to rise on a daily basis.
What To Do
Don’t worry; thinning hair in women can be treated. There are a few techniques you can use at home to improve your hair health. Give these tips a try to determine what works best for you.
Scalp Massages
Scalp massages are one of the easiest, cheapest ways to get thicker hair.
After washing your hair, apply gentle pressure to your scalp using your fingertips. Massaging your scalp can encourage blood flow.
You can even use a handheld scalp massager to remove dead skin cells.
While you’re at it, consider trying an anti-thinning shampoo this year. They can add volume to your hair to help the strands look thinner. These shampoos contain vitamins and amino acids to help your scalp.
Vitamins
Remember, vitamin and nutrient deficiencies could cause your thinning hair. Consider scheduling a blood test to determine if you have a deficiency.
Your doctor might recommend you use a daily multivitamin. Otherwise, add zinc, folic acid, and iron to your routine.
Folic acid supplements can help with new cell generation.
It could help your hair look thicker, too.
Biotin (B7) could help promote better hair growth as well. Don’t take B7 if you’re already taking B5 supplements.
Otherwise, consider finding a supplement that directly targets your telogen effluvium.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can help fight inflammation. Inflammation is an underlying cause of different health conditions. It can also contribute to premature hair loss.
Omega-6 can benefit your scalp health, too.
Improve Your Diet
Eating a balanced diet can ensure your body receives the vitamins and nutrients it needs. Consider talking to a doctor or dietitian to make sure you’re eating a balanced diet.
Reduce Stress
Remember, chronic stress can contribute to your hair thinning as well. Try to minimize your cortisol levels with relaxation techniques this year.
For example, you can pick up meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises to lower your stress levels.
Thinning Hair in Women: Maintain Your Luscious Locks Today
While thinning hair in women is normal, there are solutions. Try these tips to improve your hair health this year. Remember, detecting the root cause of your thinning hair can help you develop a more effective plan.
Start showing off your luscious locks after using these tips!
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