Hair loss is a reality for millions of women, so you’re not alone if you’ve noticed thinning patches or a receding hairline, even in your 30s. The onset of excessive hair loss or hair thinning over the scalp has many causes – and just as many high-profile treatment options, ranging from over-the-counter and prescriptive medications, to low level laser light therapy (LLLT) for hair re-growth.
Common myths about hair loss
Why do women lose their hair? Common misconceptions include wearing hats, washing your hair too often or, inevitably, you will lose your hair when you’re old and there is no cure, says Tiffany Masiello-Helt, a certified managing cosmetologist with Precision, a clinic in Cleveland, OH, for hair restoration.
“The facts are not nearly as sensationalistic – the myths can actually be dispelled by understanding exactly what hair loss is,” Masiello-Helt says. She has worked in the industry for almost 20 years to help clients repair thinning hair.
Too much DHT causes hair loss
Baldness in both men and women is caused by a single chemical called DHT, a by-product of the hormone testosterone. Too much DHT inhibits the cells of your hair follicles from receiving necessary nutrients. Because of DHT’s connection with testosterone, more men are susceptible to hair loss. However, since women produce both female and male hormones, they are at risk as well.
“Your hair literally begins to starve to death. When a hair follicle starts down this road, you may notice texture changes, brittleness and then the hair shaft begins to shrink, reducing in length and diameter until it seems to disappear,” she explains. The last stage of hair loss occurs when the follicle goes completely dormant and stays that way. No hair will grow from that follicle again.
Excess DHT is genetic, she says, so if your parents have lost their hair, you may be at risk as well. Age comes into play, but if you don’t start losing your hair until you’re older, it only means that it took many years for your genetic predisposition to DHT sensitivity to activate.
Hair loss is different for women
Men go bald in the same pattern, a thinning hair line that moves to the top of the head, often leaving the back intact (oh, yes, we know that look!). Women can lose hair gradually all over the head. Women are also susceptible to certain diseases, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), where hair loss is a symptom…