Baldness In Women: Types, Causes And Treatments

2023 Author: Lynn Laird | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:49

Although hair loss is a normal occurrence in both men and women, worsening symptoms can become a major source of concern and complexes. Statistically, baldness affects men more often (in France, almost 2 out of 3 men). But certain factors like stress, anxiety, genetics, thyroid issues, and pregnancy can cause hair loss even in ladies. Depending on the type of pathology, the underlying cause and its severity, adequate measures should be taken as quickly as possible. Here are some key points to know to know how to fight against baldness in women.

Types of baldness in women, manifestation and causes

In women, seasonal hair loss is normal. Thanks to the appropriate care, the phenomenon is compensated by the growth of new hair. What is worrying is losing a lot of hair on a daily basis and finding that the thickness of the hair is very noticeable. This is called alopecia (from the Greek term "alopex" denoting partial or total loss of hair).

Diffuse alopecia: this type of baldness is manifested by excessive and significant hair loss which affects the entire scalp. It is the most common type of alopecia in women. It can be chronic or acute. Symptoms can appear several months after the initial cause, making diagnosis difficult. Usually, acute diffuse alopecia is evidence of a disorder in the body. Frequent causes can be: stress, chemo or radiotherapy, any infection, childbirth etc. The chronic form is often due to an endocrine problem.

Androgenetic or common alopecia: This is the most common form of hair loss in men, but it also strongly affects women. This pathology is caused by an inherited hormonal imbalance and generates bald areas on the top of the skull.

Alopecia areata or circumscribed: this is a type of localized hair loss caused by an autoimmune disease. Although the cause is not precisely known, certain psychological factors, including stress, are believed to play a crucial role. This form of alopecia is manifested by the appearance of bald patches on the scalp.

Scarring alopecia : this is the rarest and most specific type of alopecia. The hair follicles are completely damaged, so the hair doesn't have a chance to grow back. The cause could be due to infection, burn, trichotillomania. The only treatment is hair transplantation.

Treatment of baldness in women

Baldness in women has various causes and manifests itself differently. Depending on the type, the pathology can be more or less severe. The treatment against hair loss should be chosen taking into account the type of baldness and the damage it causes.

1. If it is a seasonal hair loss, no specific treatment is necessary. Consider:

• adopt a healthy diet;
• daily massage the scalp;
• cut off the split ends;
• avoid stress;
• have your hair cut short

2. In the event of excessive hair loss, it is essential to consult a specialist who can identify the causes and suggest the appropriate treatment for your condition. If the cause is hormonal or deficient alopecia, your treatment should start with the medications prescribed for you after the test.

3. On the other hand, if the symptoms worsen and the hair loss continues to progress, you only have one solution, fortunately, the most effective - the hair implant. The combined female hair transplant is indeed the only permanent treatment to fight against female baldness. This is a surgical procedure that involves the extraction and implantation of hair follicles. The method makes it possible to extract small groups of hair from a donor area and reimplant them on the areas without hair. This is the FUE technique (Follicular Unit Extraction) in question. It is very soft, causes only micro-scars almost invisible to the naked eye and allows you to quickly resume daily activities.

Hair loss in women: the most common causes

Hair loss in women can be due to different factors such as:

• Hormonal changes: these are among the most common causes. They are usually linked to pregnancy, menopause, and endocrine disorders.
• Dietary deficiencies and lack of vitamins and minerals necessary for hair health.
• Stress: The number 1 enemy of physical and mental health, stress seriously damages hair and is another cause of alopecia.
• Medical treatments: Chemo and radiotherapy as well as taking certain medications can cause temporary hair loss.
• Certain skin diseases: psoriasis, certain infections and scars can cause hair loss or even a lack of regrowth.