Hair Loss In Women

Loss of hair does worry people and when you realise that many factors can be responsible for hair loss, you can appreciate that it is important and right that you should worry.

The hair loss may be a normal temporary response to something you have experienced, such as an operation of fever, in which case there is nothing to worry about. The hair loss may be an inherited trait, so you must do the best you can to inhibit, reverse or compensate for the loss. Or the hair loss may be warning you that there is a medical or nutritional imbalance, in which case the sooner you seek the help of a qualified trichologist, the better.

It is important to emphasise that most cases of hair loss relate to internal factors so there is no need to cut down on the frequency of shampooing. However, it is important to find out the reason for the hair loss or thinning of hair.

Long-term excessive hair loss refers to excessive hair loss from all over the scalp. In such cases, we will try to pinpoint the internal cause of the problem and, if need be, work with your doctor. So, we will sometimes ask for some blood tests to be run if this is necessary to help pinpoint the cause of the problem. Once the cause of the hair loss has been pinpointed and corrected, the hair should fully recover. So, for example, low iron storage (ferritin) levels might be causing the hair loss so, once this is corrected, the hair loss will slow and the hair will thicken.

In short-term excessive hair loss, we will try to pinpoint the cause. Often, no therapy is required – the hair loss corrects itself.

Genetic thinning in women is a common problem that, fortunately, can be reversed. Genetics, sex hormonal levels and inflammation all play a part with this type of hair loss and, if these factors are dealt with properly, the hair thinning can be reversed. So, for example, certain oral contraceptives can be detrimental to hair, whereas others can be of benefit. Treatments are long-term with this problem so, as far as is possible, we encourage you to do the treatments at home. There is a choice of therapies.

With all hair loss problems, we will give you a hand-out with information about the problem.

Alopecia areata is a common problem whereby patches of hair loss can occur quite quickly. It is an autoimmune problem, whereby a group of white blood cells attacks the hair. It is a hair loss problem that can correct itself. However, if necessary, we will give treatment that reduces the autoimmune reaction. 

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a problem that occurs mainly in post-menopausal women and is characterised by baldness developing at the front and sides of the scalp. Eyebrows are often lost. It is an autoimmune problem that is influenced by sex hormonal changes and is a hair loss problem that we are seeing a lot of. An important part of our therapy is the taking of a vitamin D supplement; vitamin D helps protect the hair follicles from autoimmune attack. It is low in patients in many hair loss problems.

The hair loss problems I have mentioned are the most common we see. However, there are many other types of hair loss and hair breakage. With all problems, we hope to tell you what the problem is, what is causing it and the possible therapies for the problem – both medical and non-medical. If need be, we will work with your doctor to solve the problem.

David Salinger IAT

Member, International Association of Trichologists

Chelcey Salinger IAT

Member, International Association of Trichologists