There are numerous reasons for hair loss in women, in many cases the cause is something that can be controlled or reversed resulting in a temporary condition. In other situations, a treatment may be prescribed to correct the reasons for the hair loss. For women, hair loss is devastating and can affect their levels of self-confidence. Many result to wearing wigs or spending money on products that promise to regrow hair but show little results.
1. Dieting & Nutrition Imbalances
Dieting puts stress on the body and can result in hair loss. Reducing calories or restricting certain foods when attempting to lose weight can lead to vitamin deficiencies and thinning hair. B vitamins such as B6, Biotin, and Niacin are essential for healthy hair, skin and nails and are commonly found in fruits and vegetables. Other necessary nutrients are magnesium, copper and sulphur. Iron deficiency may also be linked to hair loss. Many diets do not provide enough protein and iron because they restrict overall caloric intake. Foods rich in iron and other nutrients include organ meats, legumes, fruits, and grains.
2. Hormonal Changes
One of many reasons for hair loss in women may be due to the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy or menopause. Hormone levels fluctuate during pregnancy which is why pregnant women often become emotional at the drop of a hat. The good news is this is temporary and will return to normal once the hormones level out.
3. Immune Deficiencies
Alopecia – this is thought to be an immune system deficiency which results in patchy spots of hair loss on the head or other places on the body including eyebrows and eyelashes. This condition is similar to a virus but is not contagious to anyone else. Certain factors suggest that this condition may be hereditary.
4. Bleaching and Dyeing
Chemical processes such as bleaching and dyeing can weaken the hair follicle and cause the hair to fall out. Someone who has been using bleaches and dyes on hair for an extended period may experience hair loss and nerve damage in the sensitive areas of the scalp. If you use commercial dyes it is recommended to wait at least 3 months between hair colorings and use a deep conditioner to protect the hair from breakage.
5. Treatments to Correct the Reasons for Hair Loss in Women
Some familiar topical treatments for hair loss in women are products like Minoxidil and Rogaine which are available without a prescription. These products temporarily stop the hair loss encourages new growth. The problem with these treatments is if you stop using the products the new growth falls out.
Natural treatments that include a program of vitamins and minerals along with a healthy diet may improve the health of the hair by replenishing valuable nutrients the body needs to grow healthy hair. A more permanent solution would be to have a hair replacement procedure done which has been successful in many cases.
Many of the causes of hair loss cannot be avoided but luckily there are options to solve the problem.