How and Why Women Lose Their Hair

Riviera Hair Replacement Helps Women Experiencing Hair Loss

You might be surprised at how many people think that hair loss only affects men. But it doesn’t. Women also experience hair loss and hair thinning.

Yet, we don’t hear much about women and hair loss – Do you know what causes women to lose hair? Do you know if female hair loss is different from male hair loss? Are there things women can do about hair loss?

Few people know the answers to these questions. At Riviera Hair Replacement, we do! We understand what tends to cause hair loss and hair thinning in women of all ages.

Our knowledge makes us uniquely equipped to help women in a compassionate and discreet manner. We work closely with our clients to create the non-surgical hair restoration solution that is right for each individual – one that ensures they leave here looking and feeling their best.

How Common is Hair Loss in Women?

Despite what most people think, many women experience hair loss and hair thinning. Studies show that more than 50% of all women will have noticeable hair loss during their lifetime. The most significant cause of hair loss in women is female pattern hair loss (FPHL), which is the female equivalent of male pattern baldness/hair loss.

Female pattern hair loss affects approximately 30 million women in the United States. There are other types of hair loss and hair thinning that affect millions more.

What is Female Hair Loss?

Hair loss occurs in women when they have an unexpected or heavy loss of hair. On a typical day, women shed about 100 hairs per day as part of the natural hair cycle. Anything that disrupts the cycle and causes something other than ordinary shedding can be considered hair loss. Hair loss is called alopecia.

What Are the Different Types of Hair Loss in Women?

There are three basic types of hair loss in women caused by different things. They are:

Anagen effluvium:

This hair loss occurs when medications or toxins poison an actively growing hair follicle. Chemotherapy and radiation, for example, cause anagen effluvium. This type of hair loss is not always permanent but can be if the follicles are fatally damaged.

Telogen effluvium:

This hair loss occurs when an increased number of hair follicles entering the telogen phase of the hair cycle.

The telogen phase is the stage where hair falls out. When there is an increased number of hair follicles in this stage, it means more hair will fall out. This type of hair loss is often temporary.

A variety of factors can cause telogen effluvium to occur, including:

  • Extreme stress or shock to your body, such as illness, losing a lot of weight, giving birth, or surgery.
  • Extreme emotional shock or trauma such as the death of a loved one, mental illness, losing a job, facing illness, divorce, or moving.
  • Medical conditions such as thyroid problems or anemia.
  • Certain medications, vitamins, supplements
  • Hormonal changes from menopause, oral contraceptives, or pregnancy
Androgenic alopecia:

This is another name for female pattern hair loss or FPHL. This is the most common type of hair loss where hair thins on the top of the head and sides. FPHL is usually hereditary, and your genes are responsible for that thinning hairline at the top of your head. Aging also plays a role.

FPHL can worsen with menopause as women lose estrogen.

What Else Causes Women to Lose Hair?

Your hairstyle can also contribute to hair loss. Traction alopecia can occur when you wear tight braids or ponytails. If you pull hard on your roots frequently, it can damage the follicles permanently. What else causes hair loss in women?

  • Many women lose hair due to vitamin deficiencies and nutritional imbalances.
  • Rapid weight loss, yo-yo dieting, and restrictive diets can affect hair loss.
  • Over-processing hair can cause it to break, giving the appearance of hair loss.
  • Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that can cause small round patches of baldness.
  • Trichotillomania can also cause hair loss. Women make up nearly 90% of all adults with this hair-pulling disorder.

Who is Most Likely To Experience Hair Loss?

Any woman or girl can experience hair loss. Usually, however, the women affected by hair loss are older than 40, women who just had babies, women getting chemotherapy, women who use harsh chemicals or wear tight styles, and menopausal women.

Are There Signs of Hair Loss in Women?

If you fall into any of the categories above (or even if you don’t), you might want to be on the lookout for some indications of hair thinning. Have you noticed any of the following?

  • More hair on your brush
  • More hair on the floor
  • More hair in the shower
  • More hair on your pillow
  • Patches of thinner hair
  • Patches of missing hair
  • A widening part in your hair
  • Smaller or thinner ponytails
  • Hair breaking off
  • Your scalp is visible through your hair

If so, you might consider speaking to your doctor or dermatologist about whether you are experiencing hair loss. Your healthcare provider will likely ask you many questions about your medical history, family history, diet, medications, habits, life events, and patterns to garner an understanding of what is occurring and what, if anything, you might do to alleviate it.

What Are Some Myths About Women and Hair Loss?

Which of the following statements are true?

  • Your hair is falling out because you wash it too much
  • Your hair is falling out because you got it colored or got a perm
  • Dandruff causes women to experience a permanent loss of hair
  • Brushing your hair 100 times a day makes it healthier
  • Hats, wigs, and other hair coverings cause hair loss in women
  • Stress causes women to experience permanent hair loss
  • Standing on your head to increase circulation to your scalp can increase hair growth in women
  • If a woman shaves her head, her hair will grow back twice as thick as it was before

The answer? None of these statements are true. They are common myths associated with hair loss and women.

Experiencing hair thinning and hair loss can be stressful enough without adding misinformation to the mix. It is important for women who are concerned about hair loss to get the facts from reliable sources, seek out help from a health care professional if desired, and understand what options might be available to address their concerns.

Women Experiencing Hair Loss Call Riviera Hair Replacement for Help

If you are a woman experiencing hair loss for any reason and would like to consider non-surgical hair replacement options, call Riviera Hair Replacement today to schedule a free consultation. Our hair replacement specialists provide professional, discreet, compassionate services to women who want to maximize the hair they have or want a full-coverage hairpiece.

We can design and create the hair restoration option that suits your needs and lifestyle, one that will have you leaving here looking and feeling your best.

Call Riviera Hair Replacement today at 516-364-0110 or 800-772-1523 to schedule your free, confidential consultation.