Photo: iStock
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Hair loss in women is a very common problem
- Hair loss in women is difficult to treat compared to hair loss in men
- Dermatologist talks about causes and treatment
Although baldness is a common problem in men, some of them also face female pattern baldness as they age, which is among the most common types of hair loss in women. Also known as androgenetic alopecia, it is an irreversible form of diffuse hair loss that can cause you to lose confidence in yourself.
Female hair loss begins at the temples and then gradually progresses to the crown of the head, resulting in baldness. There are several reasons that can lead to this condition. The dermatologist shared what causes hair loss in women and spoke about his treatment.
dr BL Jangid, a dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon, told Hindustan Times, “Female pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is an irreversible type of diffuse hair loss. It starts above the temples and progresses to the top of the head, resulting in baldness.”
Types of hair loss in women
Doctors have classified female pattern baldness into three types –
- Type I is a small thinning that starts around the part
- Type II involves widening of the part and increased thinning around it
- Type III is thinner throughout, with a translucent area at the top of the scalp
Causes of female pattern baldness
dr BL Jangid lists all the factors that can lead to FPHL below:
hormones Elevated androgens can lead to hair loss and thinning hair.
Genetics- If you have a genetic shortened anagen phase, it means that there is a longer time between the hair loss and the growth of the newer hair. There is also follicular miniaturization, in which thicker hair is replaced by shorter and thinner hair.
Defects- More than 50% of women have iron deficiency anemia, which leads to hair loss and less hair growth.
Aging- Hair loss increases after menopause because less estrogen and progesterone are produced. These hormones promote hair growth and increase their length over the scalp.
Emphasize- Stress leads to increased levels of corticosterone, which forces hair follicles to go dormant by dormant the stem cells that divide to regenerate hair.
internal diseases- Diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic diseases like cancer lead to hair loss because the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles is restricted. In an autoimmune disease like alopecia areata, the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles and causes hair loss.
scalp disease Fungal infections such as ringworm, psoriasis or dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis) lead to hair loss.
The dermatologist also said, “The root cause of FPHL is still unclear – although dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the same hormone responsible for male pattern baldness (MPB), plays a strong role.”
Treatment of hair loss in women
dr Jangid also suggested a treatment for this condition, saying: “First of all, avoid experimenting on your hair or using home remedies. The earlier you start treatment, the better the results. Have a board-certified dermatologist examine your scalp and hair health and decide what works best for you. Hair loss in women is challenging and difficult to treat compared to hair loss in men.”
He continued, “It’s wise to see a board-certified dermatologist if you notice thinning hair or an exposed scalp. After examining and analyzing your current condition, your doctor will suggest the necessary treatment.”
Comments are closed.