Last fall, the Daily Mail reported on the results of a poll of women that showed 1/3 of participants reported thinning hair, 3/4 of whom blamed life and work stress on the condition of their hair. A sixth of the women said they had experienced hair loss by their 30th birthday, while 8% reported losing their hair by the age of 25.
Philip Kingsley, a celebrity hairstylist who worked on Aubrey Hepburn’s hair, says more women are losing their hair than ever before. Fewer of women go completely bald than men, he says, as many women have thinning hair.
According to Kingsley, who lays his eyes and hands on plenty of scalps, the “vast majority” of women who visit his trichology clinics in London and New York complain of thinning or fine hair.
The causes of female hair loss and thinning are numerous. The problem is generally the result of genetics, hormonal changes such as pregnancy and childbirth, medical conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or scalp infections, and medications including radiation therapy for cancer.
(In fact, chances are good that when hormone imbalances are successfully addressed, hair will begin to re-grow and again look and feel the way it once did.)
Stress and mental health issues can lead to a disorder known as trichotillomania, which leads individuals to pull out their own hair.
Hair loss can be a frustrating and embarrassing condition for women, leading an increasing number of them desperate to find a solution. One of those solutions is said to be minoxidil (brand name Rogaine), an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that works by widening the blood vessels around hair follicles and opening potassium channels.
But minoxidil stops working if the user stops applying it daily. Some studies have also suggested that finasteride (Propecia) can also improve female-pattern baldness when used with oral contraceptives.
Read: 9 Natural Remedies for Hair Loss and Hair Thinning
Both Rogaine and Propecia can come with some serious side effects. Propecia can cause birth defects in male babies when used by pregnant women as well as endocrine; nervous system; cardiovascular; oncologic; gastrointestinal; dermatologic; hypersensitivity; metabolic; respiratory; psychiatric; musculoskeletal and hepatic side effects. Rogaine can cause cardiovascular, dermatologic, hypersensitivity, gastrointestinal, hematologic, nervous system, and endocrine side effects. [1] [2]
4 Natural Treatments for Hair Loss in Woman
A trip to the grocery store or vitamin shop for a few all-natural items may be able to solve the problem of hair loss and thinning for women without the nasty side effects.
1. Omega-3 Fish Oils
Applied topically, omega-3 fish oils reinvigorate dormant hair follicles, sometimes within a matter of days. A 2008 study reportedly showed an impressive 85% success rate among those who tried it. [3]
2. Onion Juice
Onion is a rich source of Sulphur, which prevents hair breakage and accelerates the regrowth of hair. The vegetable provides nourishment to hair follicles and feeds them lost nutrients. Massaging raw onions or onion juice into the scalp increases blood circulation. [4]
3. Spinach and Lettuce
The leafy greens can help regrow hair in women who suffer from a vitamin deficiency. Juice can be made from spinach and lettuce and applied directly to the scalp. [5]
4. Green Tea
Pour hot water over green tea bags, and then squeeze them into the water once they cool. Dilute two teaspoons of dry mustard into the solution and massage into your hair for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat every four to seven days for 8 to 12 weeks. [6]
Sources:
[1] Drugs.com
[2] Drugs.com
[3] Mercola
[4] TheHealthSite.com
[5] OrganicFacts.com
[6] HealthyTricks.net