Hair Loss in Women: When Should You Worry?

Table Of Content

• When should I call the doctor?
• What are common causes of hair loss?
• Scalp Health
• How is hair loss in women treated?
• cancer and cancer treatments

There are multiple reasons (including physical and psychological) that can cause you to shed more hair than usual. A person should contact a doctor for a blood test to check whether they have a nutritional deficiency that could be causing their hair to fall out. Certain medications have side effects that can cause hair to fall out. Other supplements meant to help with hair loss tend to contain a lot of one nutrient. Because this can cause you to get too much of the nutrient, many dermatologists recommend taking a multivitamin instead. While you can buy a microneedling device without a prescription, it’s best to check with your dermatologist first.

When should I call the doctor?

Some people may choose to use a scalp concealer, hair topper, or other product to cover hair loss. If your dermatologist suspects that the cause of your hair loss could be a disease, vitamin deficiency, hormone imbalance, or infection, you may need a blood test or scalp biopsy. If you’re not getting enough of one or more of these, you can have noticeable hair loss. A scalp infection can lead to scaly and sometimes inflamed areas on your scalp. You may see what look like small black dots on your scalp.

What are common causes of hair loss?

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Menopause can also lead to uncomfortable systemic symptoms such as night sweats, weight gain, and vaginal dryness, which may raise your overall stress levels. Treatment options for hair loss typically depend on the cause. They can also vary according to the pattern and location of hair loss.

Scalp Health

In women, androgenic alopecia can start to set on during the reproductive years, occurring later than it does in men. At 29, 12% of women start showing signs, but by 79, over half show symptoms. “If you feel like you’re losing an excessive amount of hair, talk to your doctor. More than half of all women experience noticeable hair loss over time. Anagen effluvium causes large amounts of hair to rapidly fall out during the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle. It may cause hair to fall out from the head, as well as from other parts of the body, including the eyebrows and eyelashes.

How is hair loss in women treated?

In one study of 166 women taking spironolactone, 42% said they had mild improvement, and 31% reported increased thickness. Depending on what’s causing your hair loss, it may be temporary or permanent. Treatments can help people with certain types of hair loss. For conditions like alopecia areata that may affect children as well as adults, groups can provide emotional support and even help you buy wigs or find other ways to cope. Regrowth continues for over a year, after which time it stabilizes.

Women who develop a hormonal imbalance can develop thinning hair (or hair loss) on their scalp. You can change how you care for your hair, which can prevent hair loss. Once you damage a hair follicle, hair cannot grow from that follicle. Having many damaged hair follicles creates permanent bald spots. With age, most people notice some hair loss because hair growth slows. At some point, hair follicles stop growing hair, which causes the hair on our scalp to thin.

Harvard Health Publishing

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Stress causes a large number of hairs in the active hair growth (anagen) phase to abruptly enter the resting (telogen) phase. When the hairs reenter the growth phase, the hairs that had been suspended in the resting phase are suddenly released. Taking hormones can change hair growth all over your body. Masculinizing hormone therapy (taking testosterone) may cause hair loss within a year, and the effects aren't reversible if you stop hormone treatment.

It can take the form of "thinning" or involve a total loss of hair. It can be gradual or sudden; it can affect the old and the young. Even periods of high emotional stress can lead to losing more hair than usual, but it’s important to check with your doctor to make sure that there’s nothing more serious going on.

Researchers have observed hair mild follicle shrinkage, resulting in thinner individual hair strands. A common cause of this imbalance is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It leads to cysts on a woman’s ovaries, along with other signs and symptoms, which can include hair loss. Stopping some types of birth control pills can cause a temporary hormonal imbalance.

Things that interfere with the growth cycle -- like medications, illnesses, infections, or chemicals -- have the potential to stop hair from being formed the right way. Beyond that, age, hormones, stress, and even the way you style your hair can lead to hair loss. Female hair loss happens when a woman, or anyone who was identified as female at birth, loses more hair than normal. About half of all women will have hair loss at some point in life.

Both acute stress (such as grief or an illness) and chronic stress can impact hair shedding. The types of hair loss caused or worsened by stress are telogen effluvium, alopecia areata and trichotillomania. Certain prescription medications7 can have the unwanted side effect of hair loss in women. If you’re concerned that your hair loss is caused by medication, talk to your doctor.

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Medications that help balance hormone levels are where it’s at for these conditions. In the case of PCOS, this might involve birth control pills to regulate your menstrual cycle and lessen the impact androgens can have on your hair follicles. “Anti-androgen medications, such as spironolactone, may also be prescribed to counteract the effects of excess androgens,” Dr. Mitchell says. An expert will know how to determine whether your hair will grow back on its own or if you need a personalized treatment plan to turn things around. Dietary factors and nutrition can also play a role in male hair loss.

My consent will be valid for a period of one year from today, but I understand that I can withdraw my consent for this sharing at any time by clicking here. I understand that I can withdraw my consent for this sharing at any time by clicking here. I understand that I can withdraw my consent for this collection at any time by clicking here. A review study published in 2022 found that it significantly increases hair diameter and hair count in patients with several types of alopecia. It typically isn’t covered by insurance, and it can be expensive, Mirmirani says.

If you notice hair loss, talk to your doctor as soon as you can. Once the stress goes away, your hair may get back to normal in 6-9 months. You can have hair loss as a result of physical stress, like when you give birth or have surgery, or intense emotional stress, like a death in the family, divorce, or unemployment. Hair loss can happen a couple of weeks to 6 months after any stressful experience. The success of dealing with sudden excessive hair loss fully depends on the correct understanding of its causes.

See your dermatologist if you notice this type of hair loss. The sooner you start treatment, the better the chances for hair regrowth. “These medications help suppress the immune system’s overactivity and encourage hair regrowth,” Dr. Mitchell explains. The FDA also recently approved a new drug for severe cases of alopecia areata called Litfulo (generic name, ritlecitinib). The medication stimulates hair growth by quieting part of the immune system.

The Best Hair Loss Treatments for Women, According to Dermatologists

Table Of Content

• When should I call the doctor?
• When should I see a healthcare provider?
• What are the treatment options for hair loss?
• I want to get healthier

Excessive hair shedding can become long-term if you continue to experience high levels of stress for an extended period. Having excessive hair fall out, or shed, can be upsetting and stressful. However, it is common, and in most cases, it is also temporary.

When should I call the doctor?

Different types of hair loss typically start at different ages. A common type of hair loss in women is an inherited condition known as androgenic alopecia, or female pattern hair loss. It usually begins when a woman is in her 40s or 50s, but it could start later, or as early as puberty. It starts with a gradual thinning of the hair, usually near the part.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

Topical minoxidil can also help stimulate hair regrowth and promote healthier follicles, Dr. Mitchell adds. Before trying it, though, she recommends enlisting the help of a dermatologist, who can determine which concentration and dosage is right for you. Underlying conditions, like anemia (iron deficiency) and hypothyroidism (an underproduction of thyroid hormones) can also trigger the disorder. As for what that plan might look like, we asked dermatologists to break down the best hair loss treatments for women, depending on the root of the issue. Alpha-reductase inhibitors, such as Propecia (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride), are additional options for male pattern hair loss.

What are the treatment options for hair loss?

The cause of this condition is unknown, but it primarily affects older women. Women with hair loss due to alopecia areata may consider treatment with corticosteroids applied to the scalp or injected into multiple sites in the affected area. People with alopecia areata may also benefit from immunosuppressive medications like methotrexate.

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“Avoid tight hairstyles and hair accessories that pull on the hair and handle your hair with care to minimise breakage and damage. When it comes to effluvium—rapid hair shedding due to physical or emotional stress—treatments focus on finding the underlying cause. If a medication or disease is at the root, treatments focus on those. For anagen effluvium, caused by cancer treatment, there’s some evidence that cooling the scalp during chemotherapy may help preserve hair.

I want to get healthier

You take this medication daily to slow hair loss, though some experience new hair growth when taking finasteride. Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness.

Addressing shortfalls through diet and supplements: Does it help hair growth?

"And then what happens is that density just simply decreases over time. And in extreme form, there can be absence of hair on the crown of the scalp." Always talk to a healthcare provider before discontinuing any medication. Telogen effluvium occurs when large numbers of hair follicles push into the resting phase. Other vitamins and minerals may also play a role in hair loss. People can speak with a healthcare professional to determine whether they have a vitamin deficiency that may be causing hair loss.

Harvard Health Publishing

Some research connects excess intake of vitamin A or selenium with an increased risks for hair loss. If they suspect an autoimmune or skin condition, they might take a biopsy of the skin on your scalp. This involves carefully removing several small sections of skin for laboratory testing.

I know there’s something extremely relaxing about the heat and feel of it as it sits on your scalp. While there are some great benefits to it, you may want to be careful when indulging in this activity. It has been found that excessive use of this and other chemical treatments, such as permanents and dyes, can cause scarring to your hair follicles, which may result in hair loss. During menopause, hormonal changes, specifically a decrease in oestrogen levels, can affect hair growth cycles. It can affect people of any age and may come and go unpredictably.

Hereditary hair loss will eventually progress despite surgery. “Women with androgenetic alopecia will usually experience gradual thinning of the hair, typically on the top of the scalp and some women notice their hairline receding,” she said. Minimize the use of high-heat styling tools, hair extensions and harsh treatments like perms. Avoid hairstyles like tight buns and braids that pull on your scalp, potentially causing traction alopecia. By contrast, scarring alopecia, another autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, is often accompanied by itchiness, tenderness and scaling of the scalp.

The main symptom of alopecia is losing more hair than usual, but this can be harder to identify than you might think. Hair loss is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. Alopecia areata affects up to 6.8 million people in the U.S. The cost (often thousands of dollars) is prohibitive for most people. Most people lose anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair each day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

It could be either physical stress, such as a broken bone, or emotional stress. In 2020, we all had a lot of emotional stress and we saw a huge increase in the number of people with TE who suddenly started losing clumps of hair. Stress also can exacerbate forms of hair loss like alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease.

Hair loss related to androgenic alopecia tends to happen gradually. While some people might experience hair loss as early as puberty, others might not notice symptoms until their middle ages. Trying to tell if you’re actually losing hair or just experiencing some normal shedding? Read on for more information about hair loss and how to manage it. Early treatment of a receding hairline (frontal fibrosing alopecia) might help avoid significant permanent baldness.

For symptoms of extreme inflammation, including stinging and acne-like bumps around the base of the hair, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist. Depending on the severity, they may recommend corticosteroid injections for additional relief, she adds. Researchers have also found vitamin and mineral deficiencies related to hair loss. Anemia (iron deficiency), a condition common among women, can contribute to hair loss. Furthermore, researchers have linked insufficient selenium, zinc, vitamin B12, riboflavin, and vitamin D to alopecia. "As soon as you start to see hair loss — because hair disorders are often time-sensitive — I would encourage you to see a hair specialist, such as a dermatologist," she says.

If your hair loss has been triggered by stress, managing your stress could be the key to returning to a healthy rate of hair growth. So, next time you’re starting to feel that stress level rise, remember to take deep breaths and look for healthy stress relievers. Doctors often prescribe oral medications to be used along with topical minoxidil because studies show the combination boosts hair production. Low-dose oral minoxidil (prescribed off-label) has been found to be effective and safe for most patients, Mirmirani says. Other oft-used drugs include finasteride (Propecia) and spironolactone.

If traction alopecia continues, a person may develop patches of hair loss and thinning of the hair. If a person has this condition, they should contact a doctor. A doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections to the scalp or prescribe other medication to help the hair grow back.

Gray Hair Color Ideas How to Transition Hair Shades

Table Of Content

• Step 2: Part and Apply
• Can I dye my hair gray without bleaching?
• Going to a Salon
• And remember to use the right products.
• L'Oréal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color

Of course, if you're lucky enough to have naturally gorgeous gray hair, you might not want to bother with a hair dye. But for those who want to transition to gray hair for the first time, it may—or may not—be as simple as making a trip to the drug store. Here's what you should know before moving forward with your hair transformation. In an effort to break down everything there is to know about dyeing gray hair another hue, we tapped two color experts for their insight. The best way to transition is to change your lowlights to a softer, lighter tone, says Robert Bennett, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. Also, pull less hair into the foil, allowing more of the natural gray to shine through.

Step 2: Part and Apply

Why waste a whole box of hair dye when you’ve just got some grays to cover? If you’re between salon visits and just need to touch up your roots at home, add Clairol Root Touch-Up Permanent Hair Dye to your cart. For the past few months, Women’s Health editors have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated gray hair dyes. Our team consulted four hair professionals for opinions, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best gray hair dyes for a wide range of needs and preferences. Infused with argan oil, olive oil, collagen, and keratin, this mystic silver hair dye won't compromise the integrity of your natural hair.

Can I dye my hair gray without bleaching?

The outright gray looks appealing and inviting on a young woman but will make an older one look like a grandma. Keep your gray hair color from falling flat by adding in layers—they add instant texture and volume. Work a hair mousse through your hair if you want to up the volume level. Cool, earthy tones make up the mushroom brown base of this mane going gray. When those silver strands start peeping through, embrace them with the help of some thoughtfully placed gray highlighting to make the transition even more natural-looking. Well, we're set to agree—because this makes going gray look like a pretty good time!

Going to a Salon

Gone are the days of trying to cover up naturally graying hair. Believe it or not, going gray is on trend these days and we’ve seen people of all ages sporting silvery locks. We’ve rounded up five different shades of gray hair color to try this fall — whether you’re embracing newly sprouting grays or need the help of some hair dye. Ahead, find the inspo you  need to help take gray from bleak to brilliant. Like many gray hair dyes, this works best if you start out with bleached or light hair — it may have a tough time showing up on darker hues.

And remember to use the right products.

For example, if your hair is already a light shade, you should be able to tint it gray fairly easily at home. If you’re not sure about dyeing your hair gray, charcoal gray is the perfect in-between option for those that want to try out the trend without making a huge commitment to silver strands. We love how this cool-toned hue amps up dark hair color in a fun, unique way. To find the best hair color kits to cover grays at home, look for options that are easy to use and provide long-lasting color. You'll also want to consider the ingredients and whether the color is permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary.

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If you choose a color darker than your natural hair color, the results will be highly noticeable, and that's not the subtle look you're after. This is why he's partial to kits and maintenance products that have metallic or purple tones. Rubenstein is also a fan of purple tone haircare products for maintaining lighter hair.

It also complicates things for your colorist because salon-quality color is so different, and matching it to boxed dye is often complicated, explains Sarchet. But, since it is the most permanent option, we get it if you want to try it. If you want to take the age out of the silver hair, you can add some white hues to your locks.

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Keracolor Clenditioner Color Depositing Conditioner

Have your colorist use the balayage technique for a fade-into-gray look like this one. Layer on a smoothing serum to give your new gray hair color some shine. If you want to stand out from the crowd, go for a deep, dark gray hair color. Just make sure you do a hair mask once a week to keep the color (and your hair) looking fresh. It also gives you some opportunity to play around with the gray hue for you—remember that gray doesn’t have to age you (in fact, it shaves years off when done right).

Best ammonia-free

"This brand has a wonderful support system for any existing concerns, especially when you have never done anything like this before, extra help to see you through is comforting," says Zeitoun. On some occasions you might find that your gray hairs aren't dyeing, this is because gray hair produces little oil and tends to have a rougher surface that sometimes rejects dye, especially around the roots. If someone doesn't want to deal with the time and commitment of lifting their hair, Sarchet recommends semi-permanent color. A cute pixie hairstyle combined with a stunning gray color equals the ultimate punk rocker chic look. This beautiful shade of light charcoal gray has layers of gray, white, silver, and black-ish hues that look extra mysterious.

No one likes damaged hair—or even worse, a botched dye job. Gray and silver styles aren't going out of style anytime soon but if you’re looking to try the trend at home, stylists say to approach with caution. If you’re transitioning from brunette or black hair, gray and silver is admittedly hard to achieve yourself, says Cris Baadsgaard, master colorist and owner of Scene Salon. In order to get the pretty, even shade, it has to be lightened first—and the darker your hair, the more time and precision this takes.

There are plenty of ways to incorporate gray into different hairstyles. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Stacy London's signature streak is actually a medical condition—she's had poliosis, which causes hair follicles to go gray, since she was 11. Stacy has embraced the look, as have plenty of other women who chose to let their streak flag fly.

"When my brunette clients start getting gray around the face, instead of coloring the grays I recommend doing a face frame of highlights," she says. This allows the existing grays to simply blend in, and new grays can grow in more inconspicuously without an immediate trip to the salon. As for how often you need to color your hair, that depends on your personal style and your hair.

13 Gorgeous Gray Hair Color Ideas To Go Gray Gracefully

Table Of Content

• Products the experts suggest
• Hints of Blonde
• Ash brown and silver
• Best Gray Hair Dye for Dark Hair
• The best hair colors for dyeing gray hair at home
• Clairol Color Crave Temporary Hair Color Makeup in Shimmering Platinum

Nowadays, even young girls are trying to add some silvery shine to their tresses. To get this super-romantic charcoal gray hair color look, mist on a heat protectant spray and use a wand to make pretty bends—easy enough. Give your stormy-gray hair color some body and dimension by adding curls at the ends.

Products the experts suggest

It's basically like an eye shadow (which will also work if you're in a pinch). People who have lighter hair should try the gray hair trend. It is much easier to dye your hair grey if your hair is already a lighter shade, like light brown or blonde.

Hints of Blonde

Whether you'll be using a spray or a brush applicator, it's always worth it to perform a test run of the product to see how it will apply. Test out your ability to target your grays on a paper towel first. This is your chance to adjust if the product comes out too drippy, and you'll be able to gauge the opacity of the color. An ultra-hip hairstyle features long hair with tons of texture and grey highlights. With a background color of brown hair peeking through, it’s an Insta-worthy style.

Ash brown and silver

But again, the lighter your hair is currently, the better these products will work. “There’s actually no such thing as gray hair dye, as gray hair is hair with no melanin pigment,” says Rick Wellman, a master colorist at The Salon Project By Joel Warren at Saks Fifth Avenue. “The best way to mimic gray hair is to strip the hair first and find a silver/slate toner.” Wellman likes this one, which he says makes gray hair shimmer, leaving it looking and feeling healthier.

Best Gray Hair Dye for Dark Hair

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After coloring and achieving your desired results, use a shampoo or gloss formulated for gray or silver hair between washes like Jhirmack Silver Brightening Purple Shampoo or Oribe Silverati Shampoo. It's also best to touch up every couple of weeks to maintain vibrancy. Because gray hair can look flat after a few washes, Sam Griffith, a colorist at Blast Blow Dry Bar, recommends this color-reviving gloss to boost your shine and counteract any yellowing.

L'Oreal Paris Colorista 1-Day Washable Temporary Hair Color Spray

Since gray hair is more resistant to color, you might be wondering if some shades are off limits entirely. As for a non-permanent color option, you can choose from application methods such as a touch applicator, spray, or powder. If you prefer a more targeted application, Garnier Express Retouch has a cushion applicator that makes blending easier.

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The best hair colors for dyeing gray hair at home

It’s a wonderful choice for girls who like unusual hair colors. Box braids is one of the best hairstyles for women over 50 because it protects their hair in the most stylish way possible. But more than that, it’s also one of the best hairstyles to show off the gorgeous contrast between your black and gray hair color. Add a bright pop of color to your gray hair color by dying the tips neon green.

Make sure you don't skip the blow-drying step to set the color — this will ensure you don't get any silver streaks on your clothes. Pick your shade of gray with these top-tested temporary and permanent dyes. If the product says to leave it on for 20 minutes, leave it on for 20 minutes. When coloring, you can help avoid staining the skin by rubbing a bit of Vaseline around the hairline to prevent the skin from soaking up the color. If you do get some staining, rubbing the skin gently with a bit of Sea Breeze toner should do the trick.

Clairol Color Crave Temporary Hair Color Makeup in Shimmering Platinum

As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all things fitness and is currently obsessed with Peloton Tread workouts and hot yoga. Get ready to fall in love with this metallic silver shade. Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings.

It sounds too good to be true, but this product colors, cleanses, and conditioners your hair! The non-lathering, conditioning cleaner is designed to instantly infuse color and stunning hues into every hair wash. The multi-faceted formula promises an array of gorgeous tones in every strand. This deep conditioning mask will take light blondes from cool to ice-cold, and leave strands shiny and nourished. This gray hue pairs well with every skin tone and, like violet gray, is an unexpected way to go gray.

Because gray hair is always more coarse, Campbell recommends doing conditioning treatments and using hair masks for extra shine. You can make one of these, or opt for the drugstore version. Once you have dyed your hair, it's important to maintain your color.