Causes of Female Hair Loss

Several women experience hair loss during or after pregnancy. During pregnancy, the metabolism of the body is stressed while it nourishes the mother and the child. This will cause some women to start losing their hair while others actually produce more hair. Once the baby is born, their body starts to shed the excess hair. Normally the hair loss will stop about 30-60 days after the baby is born.

Overexposure to artificial sunlight can also cause female hair loss. During the winter months, more women visit tanning salons to get the Vitamin D their bodies are lacking. While Vitamin D can help their bodies, the artificial sunlight can also burn their scalp and cause hair loss. Normally this hair loss is temporary and it will cease as you cut back on your exposure to artificial sunlight.

There are also hereditary reasons why you may lose your hair. Normally hereditary hair loss, called androgenetic alopecia, begins around the age of 40. For some people, hereditary hair loss begins in their early to mid-twenties. Many women also experience hair loss when their body goes through hormonal changes like menopause.

The food you eat can also impact your hair loss. Eating a balanced, nutritious diet will improve not only your health but your hair growth. If you use crash diets to cut some weight, it will start to have an impact on your hair and nail growth. Your skin will also have a different look and it will not be as healthy.

Of course another leading cause of female hair loss is stress. It is well-known that stress can cause several problems for everyone. If you went through a stressful period for a long or short time, you can see hair loss almost immediately or it can be delayed almost 3 months. Your body will begin to show signs of stress through your skin, hair, nails, and even your teeth.

Hair Loss Solutions for Women
Even with all of the different factors that may be against you, there are some treatment options out there. Here are a few hair loss solutions for women:

• Hair transplant surgery - One of the most expensive solutions is called hair transplant surgery. This is when hair from one part of your head (normally the back) will be transplanted to thinning areas. For women, a procedure known as a "mini-graft" is normally done. A section of your scalp will be cut out and small holes will be made in your scalp where you are experiencing baldness. The section of your scalp that was cut will be pulled apart with each individual hair follicle, and then the hair will be placed in the new holes on the head. The section of your scalp that was cut out will be stapled back together and it will eventually heal itself. It is not uncommon for some of the "new" hair to fall out within a few weeks, but it should start to grow on its own. If you experience a "patchy" growth, you may need more surgery. Hair transplant surgery does work and it is the only effective way to treat hereditary hair loss.
• Hair tonic - If you are experiencing hair loss due to stress or a temporary problem, hair tonic treatments may work well for you. There is a large variety of shampoos and hair tonic treatments on the market. You will use them each day in the shower, or you may need to leave them in your hair for a period of time after you shower. Normally they start to show results within a week or so. Another hair tonic is called a hair mask. You will place the mask on your head for a set amount of time and then you need to wash it out. It will condition your scalp and stimulate growth within the hair follicle. Once you start to notice hair loss, you should begin a hair mask treatment as it could prevent you from losing more hair.
• Drugs - There are over-the-counter and prescription drugs available for individuals that will stimulate growth for your hair and nails. In order for drugs to help your hair loss, you must also follow a healthy diet plan. You must take the drugs exactly as the bottle says and follow the advice of your doctor. In addition to eating a healthy diet, you must also keep your stress level under control.

Popular Drugs
Minoxidil and Aldactone are two of the most popular hair loss drugs on the market today. Minoxidil is actually over the counter topical treatments like Rogaine. Monoxidil works by causing enlargement of the hair follicle and causing the hair follicle to lengthen. It will not cause new hair to grow; it only helps you keep the hair you currently have. This can help people that are starting to experience minimal hair loss, as the hair will be longer and it can help them cover-up the areas where they have already lost hair. The Monoxidil actually comes with 2 strengths, for women, it is a 2 percent solution. The reason why women do not need a stronger solution is because their hair loss is weaker than male hair loss, so it is easier to treat.

Aldactone is another popular drug treatment. It is normally prescribed to men because it is designed as a testosterone inhibitor. It will impact the enzyme receptors in the hair follicle and stop further hair loss from occurring. It has been proven effective with many women, although a common side effect is breast tenderness.

Several generic drugs have become available. These drugs normally contain zinc and biotic, which increase the effectiveness of the drug. Normally an over-the-counter hair loss drug will also include other treatment options like shampoos or masks.

Another drug option women have is birth control pills. Some birth control pills have helped female hair loss because of the estrogen they contain. They work because they override the testosterone (also found in women) and fill the hair follicle with more female hormones. This will cause the hair follicles to grow longer hair, reducing hair loss. Before you use birth control pills as a hair loss treatment, you should speak with a female hair restoration doctor. They will be able to evaluate your options and help you find one that will work.

Other Hair Loss Options
If you have only experienced mild hair loss, you have some other options available. Most people resort to coloring their hair, as this can increase the body and volume of your hair. A semi-permanent hair color is the best option when you have mild hair loss. Temporary hair dye will contain peroxide or ammonia, which actually weakens the hair and will cause further damage to it.

Hair products that cause volume are one of the best options for mild hair loss because it will strengthen the hair. A professional hair salon will sell the best products that build your hair's volume because their products do not contain paraffin. Paraffin actually hurts your hair because it builds up in the hair and it makes it brittle and break. Professional hair salons also offer body wave treatments which can significantly strengthen your hair. You should only use a permanent body wave if your hair is very fine and prone to breakage.

A simple way to help your hair is to shampoo and condition it. You should only shampoo and condition your hair when it is dirty, which means you shouldn't shampoo and condition it each day. If you shampoo too frequently, it will cause your hair to become finer and it will break easier. When your hair is too fine, it will break and may start to fall out. Individuals with fine hair should use a volume-building conditioner to strengthen their hair. You can purchase a hair cap to use when you shower and wash your hair every other day. Try to limit using high-heat settings on your curling iron or hair straighter. If you can air-dry your hair, it will be stronger because the blow dryer actually causes the hair to become brittle and break. If you must blow dry, be careful about placing the blow dryer too close to your hair. Try to use a lower-heat setting to limit your hair's exposure to high heat.

Several women use hair extensions to give their hair a thicker appearance. This is an excellent way to reduce the appearance of baldness. If your hair is getting too thin, you can also have a professional wig made. The wigs are often made out of real hair and it is difficult for most people to tell that you are wearing a wig if you have a nice one.