health
It’s not just a man’s issue –here’s how hair loss can impact women too…
When we think of hair loss, it’s often an image of aman that springs to mind. Its impact on women is less talked about, despite it affecting millions worldwide.
While it’s not unusual to see hair building up in your brush, or strands caught in the plughole after a shower, losing too much can be a worry. But it’s important to know that hair shedding is normal. According to the NHS, we can lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day as part of the natural hair growth cycle.
However, a significant change in the rate your hair is growing, a widening parting or thinning patches on your head, might be signs of female-pattern hair loss (FPHL) –one of the most common causes of hair loss in women.
Trichologist and dermatology nurse Marta Teixeira sees many women with FPHL visit her clinic, seeking her help and advice. Here, she reveals all you need to know about the condition.
What it looks like
Female-pattern hair loss, also known as female androgenetic alopecia, is characterised by a gradual thinning of the hair and is one of the most common causes of hair loss in women.
“It usually begins in your 40s, 50s or 60s, however it can affect women earlier,” says Marta. “Scientific evidence has shown that, by the age of 40, around 40 per cent of women may experience noticeable hair thinning to some extent.” Common signs of hair loss include gradual thinning, starting at the crown of the head, mid-part or frontal temporal sides; patchy bald spots; slower hair growth; loosening of hair, and even full-body hair loss.
Marta explains, “In men, male-pattern baldness typically begins with receding hairlines and crown thinning. In women, FPHL usually results in diffuse thinning on the top and midpart of the scalp, with the frontal hairline spared. Hair thinning may be more noticeable in the central part of the scalp, leading to a loss of hair density.
“Alopecia is a general and medical term used to describe hair loss. It includes various forms of hair loss, including FPHL. Alopecia areata, for example, is an autoimmune condition that leads to hair loss in small, round patches. So, while FPHL is a form of alopecia, alopecia itself encompasses a much broader spectrum of hair loss conditions.”
Though hair loss is not life-threatening, the psychological impact should be taken seriously. Hair loss is a sensitive topic for both men and women, however societal standards often place a
