Hair Loss

by Valerie Gladstone — August 1, 2007

One of women's greatest concerns as they age is thinning hair. Once considered only a male problem, it has become one of those awkward and uncomfortable facts of life for women as well. But it's not unsolvable. No one will be able to regrow their lustrous teenage locks but some products do stimulate hair growth and others can disguise loss. If your hair is thinning, you are not alone. By about 50 years of age, about half the population is affected by male-pattern or female-pattern hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia (alopecia is the medical term for hair loss).

Hair goes through two phases, active and rest. The growth phase lasts 2 to 6 years and the rest phase takes 2 to 3 months. When the rest phase is over, a hair strand falls out and a new one begins to grow. During this period, it's normal to lose 20 to 100 hairs a day. But genetic factors, diet, stress, and medications can alter that pattern.

"Thinning hair is a very complex condition," says Dr. Sheryl D. Clark, dermatologist and assistant professor at New York Presbyterian Hospital. "It would be worth it to make an appointment with your dermatologist, who will probably do blood work to come up with its cause."

Main Causes of Hair Loss:

• Genetic--A genetic predisposition to hair loss accounts for 95% of all cases. In women, the hair thins all over the scalp but the hairline does not recede. This type of hair loss usually shows up after menopause, with the lowering of estrogen levels.
• End of Pregnancy--With the end of pregnancy and drop in estrogen levels, women often shed hair more readily. But the hormonal imbalance corrects itself and the scalp soon begins growing hair again.
• After birth control pills--Two or three months after stopping birth control pills, some hair loss can occur because the pills produce hormone changes that mimic pregnancy. Usually the imbalance corrects itself.
• Medications--Certain drugs used to treat gout, arthritis, depression, heart problems, and high blood pressure can cause hair-loss side effects.
• Medical treatments--Undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy; after treatment ends, hair typically grows back.
• Mega doses of vitamins, particularly A and E.
• Iron deficiency
• Aging--As you age, you grow less hair and it thins and tends to break more easily.
• Poor nutrition--Especially lack of protein or iron in the diet.
• Extreme and unnatural diets
• Disease--Diabetes, lupus, and thyroid disorders
• Hair care--Everything you do to your hair--shampooing, blow drying, getting a perm, using curling irons, straightening, and dying--somewhat damage your hair. A severe allergic reaction to hair dye can also cause hair loss. So be gentle and judicious, don't have a lot of procedures done in a short period of time. For perms, go to an experienced hairdresser. If your hair is thinning, use a warm rather than hot setting on your blow dryer.
• Hair styles--Pulling your hair back too tightly, wearing tight braids, ponytails, and cornrows may cause temporary or permanent hair loss. If the hair breaks often enough, the follicles may eventually not be able to produce normal hair.

The only FDA-approved product for hair loss for women is Rogaine (minoxidil is the generic name). Minoxidil is a liquid that you rub into your scalp twice daily to encourage more hair growth and to prevent further loss. In some people, hair begins to grow again or they lose hair less rapidly. It is available in a 2% and 5% solution.

New hair resulting from minoxidil use may be thinner and shorter than previous hair. But there can be enough to hide bald spots and blend with existing hair. New hair stops growing soon after you stop using it.

There are many other products on the market that treat hair loss--notably Procerin, Nisim Biofactors, Revivogen, Provillus, Profollica, and Advecia--but you should consult with a dermatologist before trying anything. Very often doctors will suggest complementary treatments rather than the use of just one product. In any case, it usually takes at least 2 months to see results, and results are solely based on continuing the treatments.