It is completely normal for women to lose a small amount of hair each day, and there are some tips you can follow to prevent excessive hair loss.
However, if you’re losing too much hair to the point of getting bald spots or extreme thinning, it may be time to get checked for female pattern baldness.
The normal range of hair loss varies from 50 to 100 hair strands a day, which typically gets replaced with new hair growth. However, with female pattern baldness, these lost hair strands are not renewed.
In this no-frills guide for women with bald spots, we will tackle what female pattern baldness is about and how to cope with it.
What is female pattern baldness?
This is a condition that affects women and usually manifests in bald spots and general hair thinning. You may start seeing a widening part or feeling like your hair is not growing as thick as usual.
What causes bald spots in women?
Science has shown that genetics may be a significant factor that causes bald spots in women, which means a few other people in your family may also have had the condition.
Bald spots become more common with progressing age, and are often observed after menopause.
There are other causes of bald spots that need to be factored in such as:
- Frequently wearing hairstyles that pull on your scalp too tightly
- Significant illnesses such as high fever, severe infection, or surgery
- Taking chemotherapy medications
- Autoimmune diseases
How are bald spots treated?
Treatment of bald spots usually depend on the extent of hair loss.
Treatment options include:
- Minoxidil – this is a topical medication applied directly to the scalp every day to stimulate hair growth and prevent further hair thinning.
- Oral spironolactone – this diuretic is typically prescribed to treat hair loss by blocking your body’s production of the androgen hormone that contributes to pattern baldness.
- Hair transplant – bald spots affect only some areas of the scalp and the doctor may remove hair from one part of your scalp with healthy hair growth and transplant them to the bald patches.
- Laser treatment – some researches show that low-level laser light therapy may stimulate hair growth.
- Temporary solutions include wearing stylish bandanas or hats to keep you looking fabulous without feeling the insecurity that comes with dealing with bald spots.
How do you prevent bald spots?
Like mentioned above, female pattern baldness can be genetically passed on, making it difficult to prevent. However, there are some hair care tips you can follow to avoid aggravating the condition:
- Avoid hair brushing while hair is wet. Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers instead.
- Protect hair from sun damage by wearing a hat.
- Eat foods rich in protein, essential vitamins, and iron.
- Limit damaging hair procedures such as hair extensions, straightening, and perming.
Read the full article on Medical News Today here for more information on female pattern baldness and how to cope with this as a confident woman.
