Remedies for female baldness
Normal hair fall is about 100-125 hairs per day, and these hairs are replaced. But, if you’re seeing lots of hair on your pillow in the morning or in the sink after combing or brushing, then you may be suffering from “female pattern baldness” which is characterized by thinning hair that occurs all over a woman’s head without a receding front hairline.
Approximately one-third of women will experience hair loss at some time in their lives, but among post-menopausal women, as many as two-thirds will suffer from hair thinning or hair loss. The hormonal changes that occur as a result of menopause may cause you to be losing more hair than is considered within the normal range.
There are a variety of remedies for female baldness. Female pattern baldness is often treated medically with the OTC drug, minoxidil, the same treatment that men use for male pattern baldness. The liquid is rubbed into the scalp twice each day, and, in 20-25% of cases, it slows or stops hair loss. The caveat is that, if you discontinue treatment, you’ll lose all of the hair you’ve gained. Other treatments include laser treatments to reduce inflammation of the hair follicles or using a DHT-blocking shampoo. DHT is a hormone that restricts blood supply to hair follicles, causing them to fall out.
Lifestyle changes that may help to stop hair loss include eating a healthy diet that is rich in protein and essential vitamins and minerals. Give your hair a rest from the blow dryer and try massaging your scalp every time you shampoo.
Factors to consider
Before deciding on which of the female baldness remedies you’re going to try, you really need to find out what’s causing the problem. There are many reasons for thinning hair or hair loss, such as:
- Age
- Family history of male or female pattern baldness
- Stress, both physical as well as emotional
- Damage from overstyling or exposure to the sun
- Certain classes of medications
- Hypothyroidism
- Vitamin B deficiency
While some causes of hair thinning and hair loss are temporary and simple to treat, others are more complex and may indicate an underlying health problem. Therefore, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your family doctor or a dermatologist to determine the cause of your hair loss before deciding on which remedy to use.
Other options
Dermatologists often prescribe biotin for female baldness. Biotin is a form of vitamin B which is thought to reduce inflammation of the hair follicle which leads to improved hair growth. However, biotin has been found to cause adverse side effects in some people using biotin supplements.
Silica is a natural alternative to biotin. Silica aids in the formation of collagen, the main structural protein found in your body, including hair follicles, and works to stimulate hair growth while reducing shedding.
Silica Plus, a nutritional supplement from Vibrant Nutraceuticals, is a great addition to your daily routine, especially if you’re looking for a biotin alternative.
