Wondering what are all the possible causes of hair loss in women over 40? There are seven major causes, but there’s more. Let’s learn more about them to know how to handle and what solutions work. Shall we?
Hair Loss – When’s It a Concern?
Hair loss happens. There’s not much way around it. The key lies in how much hair you’re losing per day.
We all can lose a few strands everyday, some more than the others. However, it should be no more than 100 strands a day. 50 – 100 strands a day is normal, but anything more and you have a problem on your hands.
Also, when hair loss happens, your hair growth should be good to compensate for the same. Even when you lose less hair but hair growth is stunted, it can still result in thinning hair.
When both, or either happens, it’s normal to start looking for a hair loss treatment that works. Before we get to that, let’s learn why or what triggers hair loss in women over 40.
Causes of Hair Loss
A lot of women come to Vitamins Revive to figure out how to deal with hair loss or growth issues. Let’s take a look at the most common causes we see regularly and move from there.
Genes
The good old genes! Have you heard someone telling you they’re blessed with good genes? It is actually true.
A lot of things are determined by our genes. The hereditary factor plays a key role in hair loss too.
Heard about androgenetic alopecia or female pattern hair loss? It is a hereditary hair loss condition and if you have a familial history of hair loss, then it’s time to pay close attention.
Hormonal Imbalance
Women and hormones go hand in hand. There’s even a saying – women are hormonal! But it’s not without a reason!
Hormones play a key role in everyone’s life. It’s OK to accept that – it’s the truth, a fact! Same goes for hair loss.
In the 40s, hormonal changes are very common. Perimenopause & menopause – need I say more? This can really lead to changes in one’s hormone levels, leading to hair loss.
Estrogen levels begin to drop and that causes hair thinning besides slower growth rate. Another factor to consider is DHT – there’s a raise in DHT levels with hormonal changes and that can trigger hair loss in women over 40.
Medications or Treatments
With age, ailments become more common. There are times when medications or treatments and at times surgeries may be needed. Don’t you think so?
Certain medications like birth control pills can cause hair loss. Did you know that? Also, certain treatments like chemotherapy can cause hair loss.
Certain health conditions like thyroid or alopecia can cause hair loss and thinning hair. Have you considered that?
Deficiencies
Though not restricted to women in their 40s, it’s quite common with age. More women are susceptible to nutritional deficiencies as they age.
That’s another reason to consider when talking about hair loss. Did you know calcium loss is more common in women post menopause?
Also, the absorption of nutrients from food or variety can vary from individuals making them prone to deficiencies of key nutrients.
Lifestyle & Environmental Factors
Certain factors bother more with age. Certain can be common to all age groups. This factor is common for everyone, but certain factors are more related to women in their 40s.
Post 40s, stress becomes more common. Menopause is also another trying time for women that can cause stress. Stress is a MAJOR hair loss trigger. Stress can cause sudden or chronic hair loss in women over 40.
A trauma or life changing event or a loss of a loved one can all add to stress or result in trauma or shock. This can lead to hair loss.
Our exercise and diet also play a key role in our hair health. Our hair is as healthy as we are, more reason to keep ourselves healthy and active.
What about styling and treatments? Pulled up or tight hair styles can not only cause hair loss, can also result in permanent hair damage!
Did you know styling treatments including coloring or using heat and chemicals on your hair can cause hair loss?
Even washing hair more often than needed, or using harsh products on your hair and more can result in hair loss.
Find anything relevant to you, ladies? These are the seven major causes of hair loss in women over 40, though there could be others.
Symptoms of Hair Loss
As noted earlier, hair loss is inevitable. But it can and should be managed to prevent thinning or complete loss of hair. So, what symptoms help identify hair loss?
Typically, the hair we lose each day or hair shedding. This goes without saying, though it’s important to understand it doesn’t have to be sudden or obvious.
In most causes, women don’t lose bunches of hair or end up with bald patches. That’s an exception not the rule! Hair loss happens consistently, subtly and over a period of time. That’s one reason why we women don’t notice hair loss right away.
So, keep a lookout for signs like widening hair part, receding hair loss, reduction in volume or density of hair, etc. It’s rarely noticeable hair loss in women.
Some women also experience other symptoms while they lose hair like itching, scalp inflammation, flaky scalp, etc.
How to Treat Hair Loss?
Hair loss can be treated in different ways. Hair treatments for dealing with hair loss depends on the causative factor and other aspects. However, let’s take a look at what options we have. Shall we?
Home Remedies
Now, this we all love. Don’t we? What if we can whip up a remedy that can help with hair loss, hair regrowth, strengthen hair roots and more?
The good news is there are home remedies that help. Have you heard about any? Tried any for hair loss?
Horsetail Extract
This herb is a wonderful remedy for hair loss in women over 40. The best way to use this remedy is as an infused oil, or as a supplement. If you’re good with DIY, you can also prepare your own shampoo or hair tonic with it.
Nettle
Heard of this herb? It’s another wonderful remedy when dealing with hair loss. It can be used as a rinse, hair mask, infused oil or in your shampoo. What is your pick?
There are other remedies too, which include the ingredients like onion juice, aloe vera, false daisy, water hyssop, saw palmetto and whatnot.
Whether you want to strengthen your hair follicles, or prevent hair follicles shrinking, or improve growth and curb frizz or dryness, there’s a natural solution that works. You just have to try and see what works for you best.
The best part – these remedies help with more than just dealing with hair loss. Many remedies have shown positive results in treating female and male pattern hair loss. So why not give it a shot?
Medical Treatments
There are many treatment options for hair loss in women. Some promote hair regrowth, some prevent women from losing hair further, etc.
Did you know there’s an FDA approved medication that works for female pattern hair loss? Yes, it’s Minoxidil and many women have good results with it.
Have you heard about HRT or Hormone Replacement Therapy? It’s beneficial for hair loss that’s due to hormonal imbalances.
Spironolactone is another medication that’s used to treat hair loss in women.
DHT Blockers are also used in some cases.
It’s a good idea to consult a specialist who can determine what’s causing the hair loss and suggest medication accordingly.
Hair Restoration
For some, medication might be an option. Hair transplant is recommended in such cases and usually the last resort or course of action.
It’s a surgical procedure where healthy hair follicles from different areas of the scalp where hair is thicker, moved to areas with thinning hair or balding.
LLLT
A non-invasive treatment option that stimulates hair growth, LLLT or Low Level Laser Therapy is a preferred choice for those who don’t want to go under the knife, or use drugs.
PRP
Platelet rich plasma therapy is another option that many have to improve hair growth to combat hair loss in women.
Supplements
It’s important to consult a professional if you’re considering taking any supplements. Having that said, depending on the individual in question and their requirements, specialists recommend nutritional supplements or herbal supplements that can help treat female hair loss and more.
The most common nutritional supplements recommended include biotin, zinc, omega 3 and Vitamin D. Oh and don’t forget iron supplements. However, these supplements usually help those who are deficient in the said nutrients.
Besides nutritional supplements, herbs are recommended. There are natural DHT blockers like Saw Palmetto, which is suggested as a supplement. Yet again, a specialist can identify what’s required and recommend accordingly.
Topical or External Aids
There are times when certain temporary measures are required when stepping out and we need a quick fix. For some, topical solutions might be the only way to go. These aids come in handy during such scenarios.
Want thicker hair? Applying something on your hair roots, or hair can give an impression of ore volume. Like a voluminizer for example.
Heard about hair extensions? They’re a great idea when you want your head to look fuller and with more hair. Isn’t it? It’s a great quick fix when you want to spruce up a little.
There are hair growth serums that help combat female hair loss and improve growth rate. Some serums help strengthen hair follicles.
There are hair treatments that not only combat hair loss, but also help with other issues like scalp itching, dandruff, etc. These in turn curb hair loss, especially when they’re the underlying or contributing factors.
Heard about shampoos that boost volume? I used one during the time when I faced excessive hair loss and it really helped boost my confidence when I had to step out. Being a natural product it also helped improve my hair health and volume with continued usage. Using natural ingredients can also help combat female hair loss.
Hair Care Tips
Take good care of your hair. Your hair needs some TLC every now and then. So, take some time out for that much needed and postponed scalp massage! Who doesn’t love a massage, heh?
Use hair masks and packs for nourishing your hair and scalp. Did you know hot oil treatments are a great way to nourish hair follicles and strengthen hair roots? It can also combat hair loss in women.
Live in a place with hard water? Invest in a water softener and make sure you rinse off with drinking water finally – this gets rid of any residue from your scalp and also leaves your locks soft again.
Keep frizz and dryness at bay by using oils and moisturizers for your hair. Frizz and dryness can result in breakage and hair thinning might follow suit.
Female hair loss might be different from that of men, in that it’s not obvious but not something that should be ignored. Pay close attention and take action once you notice hair loss if you don’t want to lose more hair, or lose it completely!
Follow a hair care routine that works for you. If you don’t know where to start, consult a specialist and they can guide you and help customize a care plan that would work best for your needs.
Our scalp should be clear and healthy, for our hair to be lustrous and healthy. Same goes for our health. We should be healthy, if we want our hair to be healthy. So, take good care of yourself. Eat a healthy and balanced diet including all vital nutrients adequately.
Also, don’t forget to move. Exercises are important for our health. We should stay active to be healthy and fit. As mentioned earlier, our health plays a key role in hair growth and health. Additionally, exercise is a great stress buster. So, get moving!
All hair loss is not female pattern hair loss, though it’s good to get it diagnosed by a specialist. Knowing what’s the trigger can help with determining a hair loss treatment that works. So, start with acknowledging the problem and seek answers and solutions without further ado. It’s not shameful to ask for help!
Conclusion
These aren’t the only options, there could be more depending on the individual in question. This is why a specialist might help in deciding what’s more appropriate. Besides, they can also use other means of diagnosis, including diagnostic tests to get a clear handle on the issue at hand.
If you’re facing hair loss, you aren’t alone! There are many women who face it and are clearly battling it and managing it well. Now there are even more options than before. SO chin up, we can beat it. Ready ladies?
