FEMALE HAIR LOSS

For women, hair loss can be far more emotionally devastating than for men.  Male hair loss is mostly expected (though not desired) and perceived as normal for men.  In today’s modern society which idolizes “the perfect”, female hair loss is perceived to be unacceptable.  Female hair loss can have far reaching effects on a woman’s self esteem and emotional status.  Hair loss effects her femininity, desirability, and sexuality within her social structure.  Thinning, dry, and dull hair (and hair loss) is often identified with illness, old age, and poverty.

FEMALE HAIR THINNING

Hair loss of about 100 strands of hair a day is completely normal and part of the hair growth cycle.  However, if you feel you are experiencing hair thinning, there could be a number of reasons.  It is important that you go to your GP and get a proper hair thinning diagnosis.  Some hair thinning reasons could be hereditary hair loss (the most common), illness, diet, stress, or just part of the natural aging process.  Unfortunately hair thinning can sometimes lead to rather severe female baldness.  

FEMALE PATTERN BALDNESS

Like men, female hair loss can be hereditary and is fairly common.  Most people do not realize how common hereditary hair loss is in women.  Hereditary hair loss is known as Androgenetic Alopecia.  Androgenetic alopecia is present in the general female population at a rate of between 20% and 40%.  43 million women globally are affected by thinning hair for genetic reasons.  Female pattern baldness occurs more frequently in women than any other type of hair loss.  Because women have different levels of certain enzymes in the follicles in various areas of the scalp, they may experience hair loss in quite distinct and different ways.  The two main female hair loss patterns are:

1. The front hair line remains, and the hair thinning is centrally located, running from front to back.  Men can also experience hair loss this balding pattern.    
    
2. The hair thins from the front hairline to the back of the head, same as the common male baldness pattern.  Although this baldness pattern is uncommon in women, it can occur.     

Female hair loss tends to be more spread across the scalp, than male hair loss, but occurs more gradually.  Male hair loss can occur rapidly from an early age.