UNDERSTANDING WOMEN’S HAIR LOSS

Introduction: The Women's Health Collaborative is proud to meet our first Super Nova in women's health advocacy and public education. DIANE PINSON- Hair Transplant Surgery Surgical Tech, Trainer & Educator captured audiences from a powerful video about hair loss. In a matter of days, editors and producers from the WHC editorial team nominated Diane to lead the Clinical Aesthetics Committee and establish "The House of Hair"- an educational series around the  highly charged and complex topic of women's hair loss.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WOMEN LOSE HAIR...AND HOW TO FIX IT  Written by: Diane Pinson

Hair loss in women is more common than many realize, and it can be incredibly frustrating. Whether it’s thinning hair, a widening part, or even bald patches, the causes can vary. But don’t worry – understanding the science behind it and knowing what can be done to address it will help you navigate this issue with confidence.

What’s Happening With My Hair?
Genetics is one of the primary factors behind hair loss, particularly in women. While it’s more obvious in men, women also experience hair thinning due to androgenetic alopecia, which is linked to genetics and hormones. If your mother or grandmother had thinning hair, chances are you may be genetically predisposed too.

Hormones are another big player, especially during menopause. As women age, they experience hormonal shifts, like a drop in estrogen and progesterone, which can lead to hair thinning. During menopause, the levels of testosterone (a male hormone) rise relative to other hormones, causing hair follicles to shrink and produce thinner hair. This is one of the reasons why many women in their 40s and 50s notice hair loss.

Additionally, hair loss can also be triggered by stress, poor diet, and environmental factors. High stress levels or an imbalance in essential nutrients (like iron or vitamin D) can weaken hair follicles and lead to shedding. Even things like pollution, harsh weather, or chemicals in hair products can contribute to hair thinning.

How Genetics Play a Role in Hair Loss
For women, genetics can determine how sensitive your hair follicles are to certain hormones, like DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a byproduct of testosterone. Follicles that are genetically sensitive to DHT tend to shrink, making hair finer over time. This process is known as follicular miniaturization, and it’s why hair thins gradually, starting at the crown or part of the head.

Interestingly, women inherit these genetic factors mainly from their mother's side. This means that if your mother or grandmother experienced hair thinning, you may be more likely to experience it too.

How Hormones Affect Hair Loss in Women
Hormonal imbalances are significant contributors to hair loss in women, especially around times of change like pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. For example, after pregnancy, many women experience postpartum hair loss due to a dip in estrogen levels. During menopause, declining estrogen and progesterone levels leave the body with more testosterone, which can shrink hair follicles and contribute to thinning hair.

To help counteract this, treatments like estrogen therapy or progesterone creams may help rebalance hormones, encouraging hair to grow thicker and healthier again. Additionally, topical treatments like finasteride and dutasteride (which block the hormone DHT) are sometimes used to help stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth, although they are more commonly prescribed to men, they can also work for some women.

The Role of Your Environment and Inflammation
In addition to hormones, environmental factors and inflammation can also play a significant role in hair thinning. Pollution, exposure to harsh chemicals, or even overuse of heat tools can weaken your hair. For example, constant exposure to air pollution can cause inflammation in the scalp, which weakens hair follicles and contributes to hair loss.

To address this, it's essential to take care of your scalp and reduce exposure to environmental toxins. This can include using gentle, natural hair products, wearing protective hairstyles, and avoiding excessive heat treatments. Additionally, anti-inflammatory supplements like omega-3 fatty acids or turmeric may help reduce inflammation and support healthier hair growth.

Good Shampoos for Hair Loss
Shampoos play a critical role in hair health. When choosing a shampoo, it's important to pick products that cleanse and treat the scalp without causing further damage to your hair follicles. Shampoos that de-clog pores and promote healthy circulation to the scalp can be particularly helpful.

Nioxin is one of the most well-known brands designed to support thinning hair. It’s formulated to remove buildup from the scalp and promote follicle health. Nioxin also helps improve the density of hair by nourishing the scalp and strengthening hair follicles.

Other good shampoos for hair loss include:

• Shampoos with biotin: Biotin is a B-vitamin that supports hair strength and helps prevent breakage.
• Caffeine-based shampoos: Caffeine can stimulate hair follicles and promote healthy hair growth.
• Gentle sulfate-free shampoos: Sulfates can strip natural oils from the scalp, making hair more fragile. Opting for sulfate-free shampoos can help retain moisture and reduce irritation.

Ingredients to Avoid in Shampoos
While choosing the right shampoo is important, there are also certain ingredients you should avoid. Many commercial shampoos contain chemicals that can irritate the scalp and contribute to hair thinning. Here’s a list of harmful ingredients to watch out for:

• Sulfates: Found in many shampoos, sulfates (like sodium lauryl sulfate) can strip your hair and scalp of essential oils, leaving it dry and prone to damage.
• Parabens: These preservatives, often used in hair products, can cause scalp irritation and affect hair health over time.
• Alcohol: While alcohol can make products feel light and non-greasy, it can dry out the hair, weakening it and leading to breakage.
• Formaldehyde: A known irritant, formaldehyde is often used in hair-straightening treatments and can cause scalp inflammation.

When shopping for a shampoo, always read the label carefully and try to choose products with natural and soothing ingredients.

Treatments That Can Help
Thankfully, there are plenty of treatments available to help with hair loss in women:

1. Minoxidil (Rogaine) – This over-the-counter topical treatment is proven to help regrow hair by stimulating the hair follicles. It can be effective for women with genetic hair loss and is one of the most common treatments available.
2. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy – PRP therapy uses your own blood to stimulate hair growth. The blood is processed to concentrate the platelets, which are then injected into the scalp to help rejuvenate the hair follicles.
3. Hair Transplantation – If hair loss is significant, hair transplant surgery may be a good option. This involves taking healthy hair follicles from one area of the scalp and transplanting them into thinning or bald spots.
4. Hormonal Treatments – For women with hormonal hair loss, balancing hormones with estrogen, progesterone, or anti-androgens like spironolactone can help restore balance and prevent hair thinning.
5. Nutrition and Lifestyle Changes – A healthy diet full of vitamins like biotin, iron, zinc, and vitamin D is crucial for maintaining healthy hair. Also, managing stress and avoiding inflammatory foods can go a long way in supporting hair health.

Why Hair Analysis Matters
Another key step in addressing hair loss is understanding what’s happening underneath the surface. ScalpScan, developed by Dr. Robert Bard, is an advanced diagnostic tool that uses high-resolution imaging to analyze your scalp condition. This technology allows doctors to detect issues such as inflammation, scalp infections, or miniaturized hair follicles, which can be contributing to hair thinning. By understanding these underlying factors, doctors can create a more personalized and effective treatment plan for you.

Conclusion: What You Can Do?
Hair loss in women can be frustrating and confusing, but it’s important to know that you’re not alone, and there are treatments that can help. From genetic factors and hormonal imbalances to environmental factors and stress, many things can affect your hair. By addressing these issues with the right treatments—whether it’s medications, lifestyle changes, or advanced hair restoration techniques—you can improve the health of your hair and regain your confidence.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but with the right approach, you can take steps toward regrowing and maintaining a healthy head of hair.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With over 13 years of experience in the hair transplant industry, DIANE PINSON founded  Certified Hair Technicians, a leading industry resource for training and staffing of hair transplant surgeries. Her expertise and extensive knowledge in the industry helped expand her program to include a wide variety of methods including FUE, Strip, PRP, Body Hair, Eyebrows, and Beards. Diane is also an HTS Medical Technician with a background in cosmetology, health care administration, and surgical assistance.  With a long track record of successful procedures and established programs, Diane continues to fulfill a mission to ensure patient and client satisfaction by delivering high-quality, efficient, and competitive services. She trained and staffed hundreds of physicians and technicians across the US and abroad, using the latest devices and techniques in the field. She also offers  private consultation, follow-up, marketing support for her clients, as well as up-to-date medical forms and product recommendations. Diane is highly passionate about sharing her expertise and helping others achieve their goals in the hair transplant industry.