50% of women will experience visible hair loss as they age. This is often caused by telogen effluvium which is the excessive shedding of resting hair after any hormonal changes in the body.
What causes Female Hair Loss?
Androgenetic Alopecia (Female Pattern Hair Loss)
Androgenetic alopecia or female pattern hair loss is the common type of hair loss in women. The hair follicles begin to gradually thin at the hair partition line which leads to diffuse hair loss at the top of the scalp.
Compared to men, women infrequently suffer from a receding hairline or total baldness. Female pattern hair loss is often caused by poor regulation of an enzyme called aromatase which can increase excess testosterone that damages the hair follicles.
Pregnancy/Postpartum
Ironically, pregnancy significantly increases the level of estrogen hormones in the body which stimulates hair growth in pregnant women. With the body being used to a surplus of estrogen, hair loss typically occurs months after the delivery as the estrogen levels return to its baseline. Fortunately, this condition is usually temporary.
Scalp Disorders
There are multiple scalp disorders that can lead to significant hair loss. Seborrheic dermatitis is marked by red, scaly patches and is a treatable condition. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is characterized by a scaly rash. This condition, however, can not be cured, although symptoms can be managed. Another would be alopecia areata which is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack hair follicles. If you have any of these prominent scalp conditions or other scalp disorders, it would be best to first consult with your primary care physician on treatment options.
Iron Deficiency
Iron produces hemoglobin which is an essential protein for transporting oxygen throughout the body. When there is iron deficiency, there is also a lack of oxygen reaching the hair follicles which inhibits their ability to grow. As such, maintaining iron intake through a balanced diet or supplements is imperative to avoid unwanted hair loss.
Stress
Chronic stress releases excess cortisol in the body wherein elevated cortisol levels result in hair follicles going into their shedding phase. Stress can also constrict blood vessels, reducing the nutrients being supplied to the hair follicles, thereby leading to diffuse hair thinning. With this, managing stress and preserving mental health can better maintain healthy hair and avoid hair loss.
Menopause
During menopause, estrogen—which is responsible for stimulating hair growth—decreases rapidly. This then results in hair loss where this specific hormonal shift is linked to female pattern baldness.
Why are Women concerned about Female Hair Loss?
Hair is a prominent feature of a woman’s physical identity. In fact, cutting and styling hair is often considered a way of expressing themselves. As such, obvious thinning hair and bald spots often cause insecurities in women which affect their self-esteem and how they carry themselves. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat Female Hair Loss.
What can you do about Female Hair Loss?
Female hair loss can be addressed when the root of the problem is identified. You can have a complimentary consultation with a MAXIM doctor or clinician to help identify the specific triggers of your hair loss and its corresponding treatment.
Balanced Diet
To maintain healthy hair, the body needs a sufficient amount of iron, vitamin D and E, zinc, and selenium. Diet fads can cause hormonal issues leading to a deficiency of the necessary proteins that lead to hair loss. The focus should instead be on consuming protein-rich foods, essential fatty acids, iron, and vitamins D and E.
Managing Stress & Exercise
Stress reduction is another method to having slower hair loss. Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways for stress management as it also reduces the risk of hormonal imbalance that often causes hair loss.
Improved Sleep
Poor sleeping habits can also worsen stress, thereby increasing hair loss. Adults 18 and older are recommended to get at least 7 hours of sleep per night to ensure a healthy body and healthy hair.
Hairstyles
Constant tension on hair follicles often lead to a condition called traction alopecia which damages hair follicles causing these to shred. As such, avoiding excessive heat styling, tight ponytails, and braids can improve the overall health of your hair.
Topical Treatments
Various topical treatments can stimulate hair follicles thereby prolonging their growth phase and improving hair thickness. It is important to note, however, that topical treatments are best used as supplements to other hair loss prevention routines or hair transplant procedures.
What can MAXIM Philippines do about Female Hair Loss?
MAXIM Philippines offers women with hair loss many options that you can consider:
Follicular Unit
Transplantation (FUT)
Follicular Unit
Excision/Extraction (FUE)
Stem Cell
Micrografting
Scalp Micropigmentation
(SMP)
Stem Cell Hair
Restoration/Transplant
Platelet-Rich-Plasma
(PRP)
Choosing what is best for you
To see if you are an ideal candidate for a hair transplant, schedule an appointment with us so we can better understand your hair loss situation. Ideal candidates are individuals who are generally healthy and still have stable donor hair areas within their own scalp.
Describe to us your goals for your hair restoration as well all the treatments and medications you have previously tried. Let us also know about your medical history as well as the age when you first noticed your hair loss.
We can either have an online consultation or visit us at either our Manila branch that serves clients in Metro Manila, Alabang, Bulacan, Pampanga, Baguio, and more, or our Cebu branch that caters to clients from Mandaue, Bohol, Davao, Zamboanga, and others.
