Get Help for Hair Loss
Thinning hair can be upsetting for anyone, but, for women, hair loss can be especially troubling.
“The good news is that there are effective treatments for the majority of causes of hair loss, and this is an active area of research,” says Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine. “For the best results, see a dermatologist as soon as you start experiencing hair loss.”
Causes of Hair Loss
Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss; it affects about 80 million people in the U.S., of whom approximately 40 percent are women. While men often get a receding hairline, women usually keep their hairline but may have thinning hair and a widening part.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own hair. This results in circular, smooth patches of hair loss on the scalp. It may also occur on other areas of the body, such as the eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
To prevent hair loss:
Dry your hair gently; tight wrapping and vigorous rubbing can cause hair breakage.
Use a wide-toothed comb or a brush with rounded bristle tips.
Limit direct sun exposure, which can break down protein and decrease your hair’s elasticity.
Wash your hair only when necessary, and use a volumizing shampoo and a lightweight conditioner that won’t weigh down your hair.
Thinning hair is sometimes related to other health conditions that are treatable.
“Hair loss may be an early sign of an underlying systemic disease,” Dr. Lipner explains. “More than 30 different conditions and diseases can cause hair loss. Some examples include overactive or underactive thyroid, anemia, scalp infections, and some types of lupus. By treating these conditions, we can often halt and even reverse hair loss.”
Hormone levels also affect your hair. The drop in estrogen that occurs during menopause can cause hair loss, as can hormonal changes that occur after pregnancy or discontinuing birth control or hormone replacement therapy.
Lifestyle Factors
The products you use on your hair can affect its long-term health. “Women should limit the use of bleaching, perming, and relaxers,” Dr. Lipner advises. “In addition, keep your blow dryer on the warm or cool setting, and avoid hot rollers and flat irons. Handle your hair gently, and prevent hair breakage by avoiding tight hairstyles.”
Your diet also plays a role in hair health. Research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin A, iron, and protein can contribute to hair health. If you think your diet may be low in any of these nutrients, talk with your doctor about whether supplementation may be an option.
“Significant fluctuations in weight also may cause hair loss, so try to maintain a healthy weight,” Dr. Lipner says.
Topical Medicine
Among the most successful treatments for hair loss is minoxidil (Rogaine), a topical medicine applied directly to the scalp. It is available in a 2% solution that is applied twice daily, and a newer 5% foam that is applied once daily. Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved medication for hair loss in women.
“Minoxidil may stimulate hair growth on top of the scalp and stop hair from getting thinner,” and also Dr. Lipner says. “It may take six months to a year to see results, but it’s available over the counter, and it is effective in stopping hair loss or stimulating hair growth in more than half of patients who use it properly.”
Other Treatment Options
There are also surgical treatments for hair loss. With hair transplantation, skin on the scalp with good hair growth is harvested and transplanted to areas of the scalp that have sparse hair. However, this treatment can be costly, and there is significant downtime after this procedure.
The use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an experimental treatment that has shown some promise at treating hair loss. PRP is blood plasma that has been enriched with platelets and nutrients and is injected into the patient’s scalp. “PRP is believed to contain growth factors that stimulate hair growth,” Dr. Lipner says. “However, there are no long-term clinical trials evaluating this therapy.”
Other treatments include laser-emitting brushes, combs, and helmets. Theradome, a helmet that was approved by the FDA in 2013, is believed to stimulate hair growth using tiny lasers that increase circulation to the hair follicles and improve cellular metabolism within the scalp. “However, we don’t yet have information about the long-term effectiveness and safety of these devices,” Dr. Lipner cautions.
If you notice your hair is thinning, don’t despair; see a dermatologist and talk about your treatment options. Early treatment may prevent significant hair loss in the future.
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