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International Women\u2019s Day was just recently celebrated on the 8th of March, 2022. All over social media and all over the world (to the tune of \u2018I Am Women\u2019 by Emmy Meli, no less!), we celebrated the wonder that is women \u2013 our life-givers, healers, and leaders. One common theme that we often see being reiterated is how the women in our lives rolled with the punches and went along with the hands that they were dealt with. The story of a single mother who takes care of her children in the day, works a job, and cram studies at night to provide for her family is unfortunately one that is too common<\/a>.<\/p>\n And even for those who are supported well, a global study<\/a> found that financial independence was one of the main motivators for women to work while taking care of their families. Sometimes, it can be mind-boggling when we think about the changes in life that a woman still has to go through while living in the 21st Century \u2013 familial expectations as a wife and\/or daughter, the process of pregnancy, labour, and childbirth, breastfeeding, work-life balance, menopause\u2026 And hair loss.<\/p>\n Yes, hair loss in women. Which woman hasn\u2019t looked at their hair brush or shower drain and thought to themselves, \u201cIs that\u2026 Normal?\u201d Which woman hasn\u2019t spent an extra few minutes in front of the mirror checking their hairline and wondering if it looks thinner than a week before? Hair loss in Singapore<\/a> has always been associated with something negative. A loss of youth, vitality, and health. And it\u2019s not just real life! Even in fairy tales and ancient times, baldness has been a sign of punishment for both men and women.<\/p>\n The Ancient Egyptians believed that hair loss was a sign of divine retribution if you displeased the gods. And in earlier retellings of Rapunzel, baldness also features as a punishment. In this version, when the Witch discovers that Rapunzel had been lying to her by allowing the prince to climb her hair, she shaves Rapunzel\u2019s head entirely bald. An author named Edith Nesbit in 1901 wrote a story titled \u2018Melisande\u2019 which is a classic tale of a Princess cursed to be bald. And the redemption arc of the story, of course, features a Prince who uses his one last wish for her to gain back her beautiful long locks again.<\/p>\n Hair loss in women has been told through the centuries, but just exactly how common is it?<\/p>\n Hair loss in women is unfortunately very common. With regards to female pattern hair loss (FPHL) which is caused mainly by genetic factors, it usually starts<\/a> during the reproductive years which are later than in men.<\/p>\n In general, for those without FPHL, hair loss is also common.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Ludwig Classification for FPHL:<\/strong> Type I (minimal thinning); Type II (decreased volume and noticeable widening of the midline); Type III (diffuse thinning, visible scalp<\/p>\n Those who are likely to experience hair loss in women are:<\/p>\n There are several reasons for hair loss in females. FPHL and male androgenetic alopecia can share a common process which causes hair follicle regression, called \u2018miniaturisation\u2019, as a result of excessive male sex hormones (androgens). This process results in the conversion of those terminal hair follicles into vellus-like follicles instead.<\/p>\n Think of the vellus-like hair follicles as the light hairs that you might see on your forearm or face. When androgens cause miniaturisation of the normal hair follicles, it starts to become shallower and shrink. The hairs that are produced also become short and fine. Female pattern baldness may look different to males because the miniaturisation happening is not uniform or as intense, hence rarely showing complete areas of shiny baldness.<\/p>\n In women experiencing FPHL but do not have increased androgen levels, they may have a higher genetic predisposition meaning that they have family members that experience the same hair loss condition. These genetic factors cause the normal levels of circulating androgens to act on the hair follicles, which are sensitised to those androgens. Many women also lose hair after menopause, because the genes that code for the production of aromatase (an enzyme that converts testosterone to estradiol, which plays a role in hair loss) increase in aromatase production in the pre-menopausal stage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hair cycle disruption happens when your hair follicles start to want to hang out in the telogen phase more than the anagen growth phase. Instead of the normally timed 5-6 weeks where they are given a break from growing and allowed to shed off, this can extend for months. What disrupts this cycle and pushes our hair follicles from the anagen phase into the telogen phase are things like stress, nutritional insufficiency, and also scalp infections. This can normally be treated with Topical or Oral Hair Loss Medication to encourage hair follicles to start growing in their anagen phase again.<\/p>\n Managing female hair loss often involves a combination of lifestyle changes and treatments. Here’s a step-by-step look at available options\u2014from the least to the most invasive.<\/span><\/p>\nHow Common is Hair Loss in Women?<\/h2>\n
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Which Women Are Likely to Experience Hair Loss?<\/h2>\n
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What are the Common Causes of Hair Loss in Women?<\/span><\/h2>\n
1. Increased Androgens<\/h6>\n
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<\/p>\n2. Genetic Predisposition<\/h6>\n
3. Hair Cycle Disruption<\/h6>\n
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What Are the Treatments Suitable for Women’s Hair Loss?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\n<\/b>Stress, poor sleep, restrictive diets or recent illness can contribute to hair loss. Identifying and removing these stressors is the first step in reversing shedding and restoring hair health.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/b>Deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, or thyroid dysfunction can lead to hair thinning. A simple blood test can help uncover these issues, which can then be corrected through supplements or medical treatment.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/div>\n\n
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