What are the causes of and solutions to female hair loss?

“Alopecia” refers to the loss of hair, eyebrows or body hair.

There are many different types of alopecia (hormonal, genetic, following treatment or a traumatic event, age-related…), but in all cases, it’s often a traumatic experience for women, and one that’s becoming increasingly frequent.

It’s important to identify the type of alopecia you’re dealing with, as there’s often a tendency to confuse cause and symptom, and treat it in the wrong way. And while the subject is commonly discussed in men, it’s still far too little known and taboo in women !

1/ The different types of alopecia

First of all, the different types of female hair loss are all too often confused!
In fact, there are far too few studies of hair loss in women. However, the phenomenon of female hair loss seems to have been on the increase since the 90s, and it is estimated that almost 40% of women will suffer from hair loss at some point in their lives. And this phenomenon increases with age: a 60-year-old woman will have on average half the hair density she had at the age of 20 ! 

The 2 most common factors that explain hair density loss (which seems to have accelerated since the 90s) are :

– Nutritional deficiencies: Decline in the nutritional quality of ingredients (which is steadily decreasing, although the extent of the drop varies from one study to another; the SUVIMAX study confirms that intake deficits do not seem to be improving in the general population).

– Hormonal imbalances (thyroid problems or sensitivity to the hormones androgens and testosterone in particular. This is known as androgenic alopecia, the most common form.

Androgenic alopecia seems to be the most common factor affecting women over 30 (the risk increases with age). The role of androgens (male sex hormones) in hair loss has been well documented in men, but much less so in women.

A combination of genetic predisposition (polycystic ovary syndrome, for example), environmental factors and sensitivity to androgens are thought to be responsible for this type of hair loss in women.

Alopecia can be diffuse and homogeneous (known as telogen effluvium) or much more localized, often on the front and top of the head, with receding temples… which is often a sign of loss linked to hormonal imbalance.

2/ Proposed solutions

A. On the “medical” side

Minoxidil, the flagship anti-hair loss molecule, is often cited as effective, but its unpleasant and/or reversible effects are often overheard.

Amélie, 26, (interviewed by Medfem, testifies:

“I was offered a treatment called Minoxidil. It’s an anti-hypertensive and vasodilator medication, a slightly liquid lotion to be applied directly to the plaques. Normally, it’s for high blood pressure, but while using these treatments, someone noticed that it stimulated hair growth. It’s a treatment that requires local application once or twice a day, and it’s a kind of lifelong treatment. They don’t really tell you that – but once you put it on, if you decide to stop, the hair that has grown is likely to fall out again.

I took it when I was quite young, but the side effects scared me a bit. It can cause hair growth, redness, itching and so on. What’s more, applying the lotion every day made the hair look rather greasy, which wasn’t pleasant”.

Corticosteroid injections or prescriptions for anti-androgen pills are also often suggested. As you know, we prefer natural solutions that enable the body to find a new, lasting balance, rather than compensatory solutions that mask symptoms and are not without side effects…

B. What about “natural” solutions?

There are more and more interesting natural solutions available. The problem is that very often, we confuse a deficiency-based cause (lack of essential vitamins and minerals: iron, zinc, vitamins C, E, B) with a hormonal cause (problem of microcirculation in the scalp and natural aging of the scalp).
If the problem is hormonal, it means that you are not necessarily deficient in the vitamins essential to hair, but that the circulation of these nutrients to the hair follicle, the bulb of your hair, is no longer working properly. The result? The bulb retracts, the hair thins and new hair growth is less stimulated, so hair doesn’t renew itself as well.

It’s important to understand that scalp care is key to hair that ages well. Like the skin, the scalp ages and needs to be maintained, stimulated and cleansed.
The right reflex? Regularly massage the scalp and head in small, circular movements (a relaxing effect is guaranteed :)), using a serum rich in essential hair nutrients and, if possible, active ingredients that boost cutaneous microcirculation in the scalp.

3/ Aging hair

With age comes a double whammy: we suffer both a decline in our ability to absorb nutrients and the natural aging (or hormonal imbalance) of the scalp, and our hair is greatly weakened as a result.

In practice, the drop in estrogen levels, which starts to become more marked from the age of 35 onwards, causes an imbalance with androgen levels (which remain constant), accelerating hair life cycles. Most of the time, hair begins to thin and lose strength, then falls out earlier.

Hair loss is often diffuse, with a more pronounced localization on the top of the head and at the temples.

30% of menopausal and perimenopausal women (7 to 14 years before menopause) are affected by accelerated hair loss, a phenomenon further accentuated by stress.

It’s important to identify the cause and modify your habits so that you can regain a state of balance and strong hair before the phenomenon gets worse!

Certified ORGANIC Densifying Anti-Hair Loss Serum has been specially formulated to restore hair vitality and density by cleansing the scalp and stimulating hair growth at the roots. 50 ml dropper bottle.

Discover our live chat with Suzie Desmet from @casseuse_de_noix on the different factors related to hair loss in women. Emotional shock, inflammation, hormonal sensitivity, you’ll know all about hair!