Why thinning hair

Preparing for the holidays? You look in the mirror and you notice it: your part looks wider than before, and there seems to be more scalp peeking through the strands of hair.

While hair loss is often thought of as a man's problem, at least a third of women will experience thinning hair at some point in their lives. Some are associated with inflammation in the body. Some are female-pattern hair loss," says Dr. Unlike men, women typically experience thinning hair without going bald. In many cases this hair loss can be stabilized with treatment, and it may be reversible. When it's not, there are a number of new cosmetic approaches that can help.

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Another trigger for hair loss in women is an inflammatory condition affecting the scalp. That might be eczema, psoriasis, or a condition called frontal fibrosing alopecia, which typically causes scarring and hair loss — sometimes permanent — at the front of the scalp above the forehead. Other common causes of hair loss include overuse of damaging hair products, or tools such as dryers and other devices that heat the hair.

Underlying illness, autoimmune conditions such as lupus, nutritional deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances may also cause hair to shed. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, says Dr. Sometimes simply addressing a medical condition prompting hair loss will be enough for the hair to regrow.

In other instances, a woman might consider a medication like minoxidil Rogaine , which helps with certain types of hair loss, or another treatment to replace or regrow lost hair. A newer option being used to treat hair loss is platelet-rich plasma PRP injections. For this treatment, the doctor draws your blood, divides it into its separate components, recombines the blood fluid plasma with a high concentration of platelets structures in the blood that help with clotting, among other functions , and introduces the resulting preparation back into the scalp.

In addition, low-level LED laser lights have been found to be helpful in regrowing hair in some cases. When medical treatments fall short, women can also consider cosmetic options to make up for lost hair, such as wearing a wig. At the other end of the spectrum is hair transplantation, a surgical procedure that moves active follicles from the back of the scalp to areas where the hair is thinning. Once transplanted, the hair grows normally. Hair transplantation is typically performed as an outpatient surgical procedure.

One drawback is the expense: it can cost thousands of dollars and is not covered by insurance. The procedure also requires recovery time. And it may not be appropriate for women who have diffuse thinning across the whole scalp. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

How about PCOS and hair loss. I was 11 years old when it started. I am a senior now. My hair is quite diffusely thin. I think you never get rid of PCOS. Any recommendations? Thank you. My hair had thinned Considerably so I tried keratin. Healthy hair is dependent on your overall good health. In cases of malnourishment, or with certain eating disorders, new hair may fail to generate from follicles. If you are low in several key areas, your healthcare provider might recommend a daily multivitamin.

Healthy hair needs iron, folic acid, and zinc to keep growing thick and strong. Furthermore, getting too much of certain nutrients may actually do more harm than good. In terms of thinning hair, folic acid is thought to help follicles generate new hair in balding areas. However, supplemental forms of biotin have been on the rise in recent years, thanks in part to marketers promising more energy and better hair growth with such products. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are called essential fatty acids.

Omega-3 helps your body fight inflammation, an underlying cause of numerous conditions. Premature hair loss may also be related to inflammation. Omega-6, on the other hand, is important for overall skin health, which might benefit the scalp.

Plant-based oils are primary sources of omega-6, while omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish. Best known as its brand-name Rogaine , minoxidil is a hair loss treatment approved by the U. When applied directly to the scalp twice a day, you may gradually see thicker hair in balding spots.

The product is available in either liquid or foam, depending on your preferences. Rogaine can take up to 16 weeks to take full effect, according to the Mayo Clinic. Scalp irritation and unwanted hair growth on the face and neck are some possible side effects to look out for. Spironolactone Aldactone is prescribed for people who have thinning hair related to androgen production.

In women, this medication may help treat thinning hair and subsequent hair loss related to hormonal fluctuations. A blood test is needed to make this determination beforehand.

Finasteride Propecia is a prescription hair loss medication. Unlike topical treatments like minoxidil, Propecia comes as a daily pill that men take for hair loss.

Corticosteroids are prescription treatments used for conditions linked to underlying inflammation. Sometimes, inflammatory conditions can cause a variety of symptoms, including hair loss. Laser therapy is typically used by dermatologists and other skin specialists. Now, the FDA has cleared the way for some products to be used at home. At-home laser therapy for hair is intended to help regrow your hair while also making it thicker.