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While hair loss is often thought of as an issue that predominantly impacts men, it is also common amongst women.
In fact, as many as 40 per cent of females will suffer at least a degree of conspicuous hair loss by the time they hit 50. Once you factor in women aged 70 and over, that figure rises to 70 per cent.
Because it is statistically likely that you will have to face up to hair loss at some point in your life, this quick introduction to its causes and treatments will ensure that you are better prepared for its arrival.
Reasons behind hair loss
Women’s hair loss is most often a result of female-pattern baldness, an inherited predisposition for the gradual reduction in the number of healthy, active follicles on the scalp which will intensify as the years pass.
However, outside of genetic causes, hair loss can also be brought about in other ways. There are several varieties of alopecia, some of which are caused by autoimmune responses, others of which result from stress.
Consulting a medical professional in the event that you see the signs of hair loss will let you get an insight into the causes that are behind your own condition.
Treatment options
The type of treatment you can receive for women’s hair loss will vary depending on the cause. It is also worth noting that there are some treatments available to males which will not be suitable for females; for example, finasteride in the UK is more suited to men.
Female pattern baldness is frequently dealt with using minoxidil, a medicine that has the ability to encourage follicles to produce new hairs and keeps them stimulated and active for as long as it is used. It is not universally effective and needs to be applied indefinitely, as stopping treatment will also stop the beneficial effects.
Many women who suffer hair loss choose to cope with this issue by wearing a wig, with both synthetic and authentic options available. The former will be simple to maintain and cost-effective, but will not be as comfortable or durable, while the latter can last longer and appear more natural but will come at a price.
A whole host of other treatment options may be recommended by your doctor depending on which form of hair loss is giving you grief. This can include everything from steroid injections and creams to ultraviolet treatment, tattooing and even full-blow hair transplants, of which there are a number of varieties.
You may have the option of picking and choosing from several different hair loss treatments, giving you a degree of flexibility. So long as you follow the advice of an expert you will be in the best position to cope with hair loss as a woman.
Most importantly, by addressing and talking about the issue of women’s hair loss in the open it will be possible to erode the stigma associated with it.
Allison is the Publisher of Eclipse Magazine. She loves going to the Races and is learning to bet (despite being officially the worst bettor in the History of the Universe), there’s a lot more to learn…
