Alopecia (baldness) In Women - Causes, Treatment, Best Shampoo

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Alopecia (baldness) in women

Alopecia in women is a pathologically caused hair loss. The disease leads either to a partial thinning of the hairline, or to its complete disappearance in some areas of the head and body. There are several types of baldness in women - focal (nested), diffuse (symptomatic) and androgenic alopecia.

According to available statistics, a third of the total female population faces the problem of baldness. The age at onset of alopecia ranges from 25 to 45 years, but most often hair begins to fall out after 40 years. However, baldness can start much earlier.

To diagnose pathology and determine treatment methods, it is necessary to visit a dermatologist, whose narrower specialization is trichology.

Content:

• Causes of hair loss in women
• Baldness stages in women
• Types of hair loss in women
• How to stop hair loss in women?
• Hair loss shampoos for women
• Medications for the treatment of hair loss
• Prevention of baldness in women

Causes of hair loss in women

There are many reasons that can trigger the process of hair loss in women.

Among the most common are the following:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome. Hair falls out as a result of insufficient production of estrogen, while testosterone begins to prevail, which is unusual for a woman's body;
• Iron-deficiency anemia. Often a lack of hemoglobin and red blood cells is caused by amenorrhea, adherence to strict diets, and excessive physical exertion. As a result, both the appearance of the woman in general and the condition of her hair in particular suffer;
• Pregnancy and lactation period. Firstly, most of the nutrients entering the woman's body are spent not on her, but on the fetus. Secondly, there is a serious hormonal change. Thirdly, the woman suffers from overwork and chronic fatigue. All these three factors negatively affect the condition of the hair, as a result of which it begins to fall out;

• Fungal lesions of the scalp. The vital activity of pathological fungi often causes alopecia areata. Mandatory medical consultation and treatment with antimycotic drugs is required;
• Pathological disorders of the thyroid gland. First of all, hypothyroidism leads to alopecia;
• Frequent stress, disorders of the nervous system, all this causes a violation of the blood supply to the scalp and leads to alopecia;
• Chronic diseases. Any long-term illness leads to a deterioration in the condition of the hair. In this regard, systemic pathologies negatively affect, for example, lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, infections - pneumonia and tuberculosis, syphilis, poisoning;
• Taking some medicines. There are many drugs that have a negative effect on hair, in particular, hormonal contraceptives, antidepressants, laxatives, aspirin, drugs for the treatment of cancer, means for reducing body weight, etc.;

• Injuries and cosmetic procedures. Any trauma to the scalp and hair follicles: stretching, coloring, discoloration, blow-drying, weaving African braids and other manipulations has a negative effect. With regular chemical, thermal and traumatic exposure, a woman will definitely begin to lose hair;
• Hypothermia of the scalp, which leads to vasospasm;
• Regular intake of high doses of caffeine, nicotine, alcohol;
• Damage to the scalp by bacteria or parasites, burns, radiation exposure - all this can lead to cicatricial alopecia. In this case, the bulb is destroyed, the hair stops growing forever;
• Chronic telogenic hair loss is baldness, the cause of which cannot be established;
• Lack of zinc and other important micro and macro elements in the body.

Baldness stages in women

To determine the stage of baldness in the fair sex, the Ludwig scale is used. According to it, it is customary to distinguish three stages of alopecia. The disease begins with thinning of the hair shafts in the area of the existing parting. The baldness then spreads in all directions.

So, it is customary to distinguish the following stages of alopecia in women:

• The first stage is characterized by hair thinning in the forehead and in the parietal zone;
• The second stage is described as moderate hair loss in the parietal and frontal areas;
• At the third stage, there is a pronounced thinning of the hair at the crown. Hair remains on the sides, but becomes much less frequent and thinner.

Types of hair loss in women

All available models of alopecia in women are represented by several main types: focal, androgenic, diffuse and alopecia areata.

Focal baldness

Alopecia areata is a localized hair loss with round or oval lesions. This process develops as a result of the fact that the cells of the immune defense begin to infect the hair roots. There may be several foci of baldness, but most often it is one.

It is customary to distinguish:

• Focal;
• Multi-focal;
• Subtotal;
• Total;
• Universal alopecia areata.

In the last stage of the disease, hair will be lost all over the body. Damage to the nail plates often occurs in parallel. The disease develops against the background of a genetic predisposition, under the influence of a number of provocative factors. This can be poisoning, stress, the introduction of vaccines, viral diseases, taking antibiotics, etc.

Androgenic alopecia

It is generally accepted that this type of hair loss is not common in women, although statistics differ. There is evidence that androgenic alopecia affects women in the range of 20 to 90% of the population. At the same time, a significant excess of testosterone levels is found in the blood of patients. In parallel, the woman suffers from the formation of secondary sexual characteristics characteristic of men. Her facial hair begins to grow, her voice grows rough. The process of loss is caused not by testosterone itself, but by its transformed form - dihydrotestosterone. It appears in the body under the action of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase.

Baldness can begin both with the formation of a strip and in a nesting type. The growth of the alopecia areata occurs unevenly, while the hair falls out completely, as a result, a large area with smooth skin is formed. Hair can grow on the crown of the head, but it is a single branch.

It is generally accepted that this type of baldness is inherited and in 75% of cases is inherited through the maternal line.

Diffuse baldness

Diffuse alopecia is hair loss associated with an increased sensitivity of hair follicles to the male hormone dihydrotestosterone. This is what becomes the main cause of diffuse hair loss in women in 95% of cases.

The clinical picture can develop according to three models:

• Strip-type alopecia, also called I-shaped alopecia. In this case, the hair falls out all over the head, and an oblong area is formed in the parietal region, on which the skin is clearly visible. In parallel, hair falls out in the temples and bangs. If untreated, the strip expands and covers the entire parietal zone. The visible area of the scalp is getting larger;
• Alopecia areata, or O-shaped baldness;
• Androgenic female pattern baldness, which is considered the most dangerous and can quickly lead to complete hair loss.

As a rule, it is not difficult for a trichologist to diagnose a diffuse type of baldness. If the disease is ignored, then as a result all strong hair will be lost, and only thin rare rods will remain on the head. This condition is called the dandelion effect by trichologists.

Diffuse alopecia can be telogenous and anagenous. Telogenous alopecia is most often provoked by nervous stresses, hormonal disruptions, taking medications, surgical interventions, chronic pathologies, adherence to a rigid diet. With this form of diffuse alopecia, the follicles enter the resting phase ahead of time.

Anagenic diffuse alopecia occurs as a result of exposure to radiation, chemotherapy, or strong poisons. That is, the factor that caused baldness was fast and destructive, so the hair follicles did not have time to go into the resting phase, as a result, the hair died out and fell out.

Most often, diffuse alopecia passes after the elimination of the causes that provoked it. After a maximum of 9 months, the hair begins to grow back. To accelerate their growth, medications can be used, in particular, Minoxidil, sprays, medicated shampoos and hair masks.

On the subject: Masks for strengthening and growing hair: the best recipes

Alopecia areata

This type of diffuse baldness is characterized by the rapid death of hair follicles. The manifestation of the pathological process is the formation of a strip in the parting area. Gradually it increases, becoming wider. As a result, a round baldness zone appears on the head, framed by hair on the sides. From above, the head resembles a nest, which gave the name to this form of alopecia.

How to stop hair loss in women?

Treatment for alopecia depends on the underlying cause. Therefore, the first step in combating hair loss should be a visit to the doctor. It is he who, on the basis of the diagnostic measures carried out, will determine the form of alopecia and outline a therapy plan.

Possible methods of dealing with alopecia caused by pathologies of organs or systems are reduced to:

• Therapy of fungal infections of the scalp with antimycotic agents;
• Getting rid of iron deficiency anemia with iron preparations and vitamin therapy;
• Elimination of endocrine pathologies;
• Correction of immune deficiency;
• Getting rid of skin diseases;
• Solving problems of a neurological nature.

If a woman has androgenic alopecia, then she is indicated for treatment with Minoxidil. Other methods of combating this genetic disease are ineffective. It should be understood that after the termination of therapy, hair will most likely be lost again, if we are talking about true alopecia, and not about hair loss caused by a disease of other organs.

Hair loss shampoos for women

One of the ways to combat hair loss is the use of various shampoos. However, not every popular remedy really has a healing effect, and they must be applied correctly.

As a preventive measure, you can use the drug with the thymus extract included in its composition. This ingredient helps fight DHT, which contributes to hair loss. But the fight against baldness cannot be quick. Two to three weeks is not enough to see the effect. The shampoo will need to be applied for a long time, and the first result can be seen not earlier than in a couple of months. In addition, this drug may not help some women.

Medicated shampoos are available without a prescription, and separate products for men and women can be found. They are produced under different brands and brands. It is desirable that the composition contains nutrients that could stimulate and improve the functioning of the hair follicles. Better to give preference to well-known manufacturers.

In addition to useful components, components that are harmful to the hair can also be found in shampoos. For example, surfactants are dangerous, since they have an aggressive effect on hair follicles. In the shampoo, they can be referred to as "sodium lauryl sulfate" or "SLS". Therefore, if the surfactant is part of the shampoo, it should be discarded.

For baldness, shampoos based on natural ingredients such as lavender oil, palmette herb or tea tree oil can be used as a preventive measure. In any case, before giving preference to this or that remedy, you should consult a doctor.

Perhaps one of the following shampoos will be an excellent way to prevent hair loss:

• Progaine is a fairly popular alopecia drug produced by Rogain. This shampoo contains Minoxidil;
• Provillus shampoo and oral tablets. The composition of this complex prophylactic agent includes an extract of palmette, zinc and magnesium, biotin and Minoxidil, which has a therapeutic effect in androgenic alopecia;
• A three-component prophylactic and therapeutic regimen for alopecia can be based on the use of Nioxin baldness remedies. This is a conditioner, shampoo and a medicinal product itself. The shampoo and conditioner contains vitamins, proteins and amino acids to nourish and thicken hair. The drug itself has a depressing effect on the production of dihydrotestosterone. You can choose the most suitable option, based on the condition of the hair, the degree of damage and thinning;
• Nizoral shampoo is an effective remedy for combating fungal skin lesions. It has a broad spectrum of action and effectively removes dandruff. There is evidence that Nizoral allows you to combat androgenic baldness, but it must be used on an ongoing basis;
• Shampoo containing dihydrotestosterone blockers - Revivogen. The active ingredients are metol, saw palmetto and soy protein. This product can be used both independently and in combination with other prophylactic and therapeutic shampoos.

Some shampoos work best when combined with other products. So, Nizoral can be used in combination with Rogain. As for taking ketoconazole orally, doctors do not recommend doing this, despite the pronounced inhibitory effect of the drug on androgens and dihydrotestosterone. The risk of developing severe side effects is too high, as this agent is toxic.

The best shampoo for hair restoration and growth

Many hairdressers recommend that their clients who complain of baldness try using a shampoo that is sold in veterinary shops. This is Zoo Vip shampoo and balm in one bottle. It contains tar and propolis, which make it possible to heal hair, stimulate its growth.

While using this product, you can smell an unpleasant smell, but you should not worry about this, it disappears quickly enough. The product should not be applied undiluted. Its concentration should be 1 in 10 with a regular shampoo for daily use. After the shampoo is applied to the hair, it should be soaked for 7 minutes and then washed off with water. You can use any balm or rinse to make combing easier. If severe hair loss occurs, this shampoo should be applied on a regular basis. Most of the reviews after using it are positive. Besides, the price of this shampoo is not high at all.

Medications for the treatment of hair loss in women

There are many remedies for the treatment of alopecia in women, but it is impossible to say with certainty that at least one of them will help 100%. According to statistics, the most effective drugs are Minoxidil and Finasteride.

Minoxidil is a liquid product that must be applied to the affected scalp. The procedure is performed twice a day, which stimulates the work of the hair follicles. As a result, hair growth resumes, the hair shaft itself becomes thicker and remains viable longer. For males, you can use the product in a concentration of 5%, and women are not recommended to apply Minoxidil in more than 2% solution. This limitation is explained by the fact that women have an increased risk of facial hair.

The mechanism of the tool remains unclear until the end. However, it is believed that after its application, blood flow to the sleeping bulbs increases, this kind of awakens them, and the hair begins to grow again. However, it was originally created to lower blood pressure. Enhanced hair growth was considered a side effect of taking Minoxidil.

Finasteride is an oral drug. It is dispensed with a prescription. The main effect of Finasteride is to inhibit the production of dihydrotestosterone, which contributes to hair loss like androgenic alopecia. This drug can be toxic to the fetus if taken by a pregnant woman.

There is evidence that 90% of men stop suffering from hair loss thanks to Finasteride. Moreover, hair restoration is observed in 65% of cases. Of the side effects, a decrease in libido can be noted. When negative effects begin to develop, Finasteride should be discontinued.

Corticosteroids are effective drugs for treating alopecia areata. In this type of alopecia, corticosteroids are given by injection. The first results can be seen within a month. If there are contraindications to injection, then you can use drugs produced in the form of creams or ointments. However, the effect will be less pronounced.

There is also a baldness cream called Anthralin. It must be applied to the affected areas every day, after a while the cream is washed off. The remedy is effective against focal type of baldness. However, a positive result is observed by about a quarter of patients.

Read more: Medications for Hair Loss in Women

Prevention of baldness in women

Alopecia prevention is an important step in the fight against alopecia.

There are some practical tips that can help you keep your hair:

• Hair restoration will take place no earlier than 6 months later. Therefore, you should not interrupt treatment ahead of time due to lack of result;
• You should lead a healthy lifestyle, give up bad habits, avoid stress;
• Vitamins of group B and zinc contribute to hair growth;
• Sometimes antihistamines can help prevent hair loss. You might want to try switching to a gluten-free diet;
• It is necessary to avoid hypothermia of the head so as not to provoke vasospasm. Therefore, in the cold season, you need to wear a hat;
• It is recommended to minimize the intake of caffeine;
• It is worth reducing the traumatic, thermal and chemical effects on the hair.

If baldness proceeds as androgenic alopecia, then there are no specific preventive measures, since it is rather problematic to determine the prognosis for the development of pathology. In this regard, it is necessary to contact a trichologist and follow his advice regarding the treatment of a specific form of alopecia.

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The author of the article: German Olga Leonidovna, trichologist, specially for the website ayzdorov.ru