Understanding Female Hair Loss

Hair loss is one of the biggest problems many women face as they grow older. Although hair loss can begin at a young age, it often occurs somewhere between 25 and 45. While many people have seen hair loss advertisements on TV, regarding male hair loss, millions of women face the same problem. Female hair loss is a problem many will go through, and is something that many women will try to prevent. If you are trying to prevent female hair loss, you will want to make sure you understand as much about hair loss as you possibly can since it is a very dynamic condition.Understanding HairWhen people think of hair we generally think of length, color and style. Hair on the body has an entirely different type of texture, color and way of growing. While hair around the body is similar, the hair that many people are worried about as far as hair loss is concerned is slightly different. If you are looking at the hair on your head, you need to know the different aspects of the hair.The follicle is the opening in the scalp from which the hair grows. It is important to maintain proper scalp hygiene that may possibly assist keeping the follicle healthy and strong. This very fact may potentially play a small role in preventing hair loss and stimulating hair growth.

It can also be beneficial for women to periodically use a deep cleansing shampoo that is substituted for their regular shampoo two or three times per week. The cuticle, the outermost layer of hair, can be damaged and weak. If the cuticle is broken down, it can lead to an unhealthy hair shaft, which can tend to break and contribute to an appearance of someone experiencing female hair loss. Taking care of the cuticle, follicle and all other aspects of hair and scalp can create a more healthy growth environment.Hair has essential oils and nutrients that naturally keep our hair healthy and shiny. One thing that can cause temporary hair loss is unnecessarily stripping your hair of these oils and nutrients. One way to ensure a healthy head of hair is to never unnecessarily use any harsh cleansers, shampoos or conditioners that you are not familiar with.What Causes Hair Loss?There are multiple things that can cause temporary hair loss. Some women have diseases that simply lead to female hair loss. Some medications will actually cause hair loss, as well as any exposure to some toxic chemicals. Poor nutrition and stress are also two major reasons for female hair loss. If there is oil build up in the hair, or the hair is stripped of its essential oils, unexpected hair loss may occur. However, by far the most common for of hair loss is a genetically predisposed condition called androgenetic alopecia which is linked to the hormone called testosterone.What Affects Hair Growth?While there are a lot of factors that affect hair growth and color, good nutrition is probably at the top of the list. Since your hair is an extension of your body, nutrition certainly does play a significant role. Stress also effects hair growth. High levels of prolonged stress can actually reduce or stunt, hair growth and often causes hair to fall out. Above are just some of the issues surrounding female hair loss but bear in mind this is only the tip of the iceberg. You should visit a licensed dermatologist if you are experiencing hair loss that you may have not previously noticed. By Carol P Mason