Hair loss in Women

Androgenetic Alopecia

This type of hair loss is caused by hormone levels in the body. As the name suggests, this condition is mainly genetic, a majority of people with this type of hair loss have hair loss in their family.

The statistics tell us that androgenetic alopecia affects roughly 50% of women over the age of 40. Up to 13% of pre-menopausal women have some degree of androgenetic alopecia. After menopause it is much more common, with a study suggesting that 75% of women over 65 years old have this type of hair loss.

A hormone called DHT – dihydrotestosterone is the main culprit in androgenetic alopecia.

Unlike men’s receding hair line and hair loss on the crown, androgenetic alopecia causes a general thinning of hair in women. Hair loss begins with the diffusion of the hairline and then progresses to overall thinning of hair.

Alopecia Areata

This type of hair loss affects more than 2% of women. It is an autoimmune disease – a disease where white blood cells attack the hair follicles. As a result, the hair follicles because small and weaker, hair production slows down and there may be no visible hair growth for long periods of time. After time, hair may grow back as normal, grow back in patches or not regrow at all.

Telogen Effluvium

This type of hair loss is as a result from a trauma – e.g. child birth, malnutrition, major surgery, extreme stress. After experiencing this trauma, the body goes into a shedding phase. This phase occurs about 6 weeks to three months after the traumatic event.

As long as any other traumatic events are avoided, complete recovery is probable. However, there are some cases where telogen effluvium can persist on for months or even years without knowing the triggering factors.

Anagen Effluvium

This type hair loss of hair loss is commonly associated with chemotherapy. It occurs after any damage done to hair follicles impairing metabolic activity. Hair will grow back within 6 to 9 months, however the initial new hairs will be brittle and slightly weak. After time, hair growth should return to normal.

Traction alopecia

This type of hair loss is caused by targeted trauma to hair follicles - - mostly from tight hairstyles that pull hair. Hair can regrow if this condition is detected early enough and the trauma to the hair is stopped. Braiding, cornrows, tight ponytails, and extensions are the most common styling causes.

Androgentic alopecia in women follows a different pattern than in men. It starts with the diffusion of the hairline and then progresses to the overall thinning of the hair.

The Ludwig chart classifies hair loss in 3 stages: mild, moderate and severe.