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Thinning HairOne of most women's biggest fears is thinning hair. We've commonly seen this on seniors and older women and question whether it will happen to us. With age it is common for our hair to become thinner – starting at the root. Usually around the age of forty, the follicle size begins to narrow and the hair becomes much thinner than in years previous. Statistics have shown that twenty-five percent of women show signs of thinning hair by the age of forty (although about sixty-percent experience hair loss by menopause). Thinning hair is usually hereditary but can also be a result of alopecia areata or illness. But hair loss can also occur in women who constantly put chemicals on the hair. For example, some African American stylists believe that many African American women's hair thins out because they are adding straightening products to their hair and want that "bone straight look". That is why many salons which cater to African American women are recommending mild texturizers over the bone straight relaxer method. This belief is only speculation, we'll have to wait to see what the studies find. But it does make you wonder... Find out more about hair loss here! If you are worried about your thinning hair it is important to note that women shed their hair at different intervals. Approximately 85 percent of our hair is growing up to an inch per month and may continue growing for two to six years without stopping. However, at the end of this phase at some point the hair must begin it’s shedding process. A very small percent of the hair on the scalp is in the resting phase at any given time – approximately 10 to 15 percent. As we age, it’s common for the hair to grow back shorter and even thinner than before the shedding period. Beauty experts have documented that it’s common to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day – which is a healthy amount. The average person’s head contains 100,000 hairs, so a measly 50 to 100 hairs lost is nothing to be worried about. However, hair loss can become a concern when the following occurs: What is androgenetic alopecia? All women are born with androgens. These are the main hormones that cause hair loss if you are genetically predisposed. Women are also born with the hormone estrogen, which is the female hormone that has the opposite effect. So basically, whenever the hormone testosterone exists, there is a possibility that the female can experience androgenetic alopecia. The degree of hair loss we can experience depends upon which of our follicles are sensitive. Those women with hair follicles that are sensitive to testosterones bad hormone called dihydrotestosterone will usually experience a receding hairline or bald spots – usually on the crown. Female pattern baldness occurs when hair falls out or shed, but does not grow back in that particular area. Therefore, the changes in the hormone – androgens have a profound effect on hair production and reproduction. Thinning Hair Treatments The only drug or medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat female pattern baldness is minoxidil commonly known as Rogaine. This is used topically on the scalp and has been said to produce hair growth. SHAMPOOS FOR THINNING HAIR
Other Shampoos...To go to the hair loss page from the thinning hair page, click here. Return to home page from thinning hair page.
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