Hair Loss in Women

Forty percent of women have visible hair loss by the time they are age 40, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Also from the American Academy of Dermatology come these facts:

• Hair loss is a common problem for women, which can be distressing.

• Hereditary hair loss is a medical condition that affects about 30 million American women.

• In quality-of-life studies, women experiencing hair loss reported a higher incidence of behavior that interfered with their daily lives — including a significant loss of self-esteem, being introverted, feeling less attractive and tense feelings in public places.

• If hair loss begins suddenly, illness, nutrition, medication or pregnancy might be the cause. The cause also could be a genetic syndrome or hormone-related disorder.

• The pattern of hair thinning (localized or diffused) can determine the reason for hair loss.

• Hair care practices and use of hair cosmetics (e.g. bleaching, permanent waving) can be a key factor in hair loss.

• Hair transplantation is a permanent form of hair replacement that uses dermatologic surgery to move some existing scalp hair to bald or thinning parts. It might benefit women who have thinning hair and those who have lost some but not all hair from burns or other scarring injuries to the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

• Hair styling and scalp camouflage techniques are helpful adjuncts in minimizing the appearance of hair loss in women.

A government resource provides the following information about causes for hair loss:

• Alopecia areata — bald patches that develop on the scalp, beard, and, possibly, eyebrows. Eyelashes may fall out as well.

• Anemia

• Autoimmune conditions such as lupus

• Burns

• Certain infectious diseases such as syphilis

• Excessive shampooing and blow-drying

• Hormone changes

• Thyroid diseases

• Nervous habits such as continual hair pulling or scalp rubbing

• Radiation therapy

• Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp)

• Tumor of the ovary or adrenal glands

  Articles in the general public regarding hair loss in women:

  Hair Loss for Women, While as Common as for Men, Carries Extra Worries

  Patient-Perceived Importance of Negative Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

Our Services

Please see our Services page for more information on options that help women restore their lost hair. A transformation awaits!