Hair Fall in Women: Causes and Prevention Tips
Hair fall or thinning of any kind can feel like a source of shame – but rest assured, you are not alone. Hair fall in women is more common than you may realise, with almost 50% of women affected at some point in their lifetime1.
From postpartum hair fall to breakage from excessive damage, there could be a variety of factors impacting your hair density. In our experience, understanding the causes of female hair fall can help you reclaim a sense of control and point you towards the next steps.
Read on as we unpack the common causes of hair fall in women – and how you can manage it.
What causes hair fall in women?
Hair fall in women is typically attributed to a range of internal factors, including:
• Fluctuations in androgen and oestrogen hormones
• Ageing and genetics
• Postpartum
• During or after menopause
• Chronic stress
• Vitamin and nutritional deficiencies
However, some women may also experience hair fall or thinning from breakage. This can happen as a result of damaging hair care habits, including:
• Chemical treatments • Excessive heat damage • Prolonged tension on the hair follicles (tight hairstyles).
Below, we’ll be delving into these common causes of hair fall in depth.
Hormonal changes
Hormones play a pivotal role in hair fall and hair vitality. Oestrogen hormones (female sex hormones) are very supportive of hair growth, whereas high levels of androgen hormones (male sex hormones) are more likely to cause hair fall in women.
Women have both androgen and oestrogen hormones, but when this balance is disrupted and androgen levels surpass oestrogen levels, it can potentially lead to hair fall in women1. One such example is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition where elevated androgen levels can contribute to increased hair fall in women2.
Age and hereditary factors
Age and hair fall in women are closely related.
Although female hair fall can occur at any age, women generally report some form of hair fall by the time they reach their fifties3. As we age, hair strands not only lose their pigment, but hair follicles can also shrink4 – which impacts hair density.
Genetics can also be a component of female hair fall, and women with a family history of hair fall on either parent’s side may be more likely to experience this hair concern.
Post-partum
During pregnancy, the body experiences a surge in oestrogen, which affects the hair’s natural growth cycle. Hairs stay in the anagen (growth) phase for longer5 – which can make hair fuller during pregnancy. But once hormones return to their usual levels, it pushes anagen hairs into the exogen (shedding) phase – triggering postpartum hair fall. This often starts about three months after childbirth6.
While it can be distressing, hair fall postpartum is temporary. Your hair growth cycle should regulate again about six to 12 months after giving birth6.
Menopause
Hair fall in menopause is extremely common for a lot of women – and the culprit is the body’s natural decline in oestrogen and progesterone7.
This hormonal disruption can result in diffuse thinning (particularly around the hairline), as well as follicle shrinking. Along with changes to hair density, some women will also notice a gradual widening of the hair part. The texture of your hair is likely to change during menopause as well, with strands becoming drier and more brittle.
Stress
Stress has been known to trigger hair fall in women. When the body experiences chronic periods of stress, it releases cortisol – the body’s stress hormone – which can disrupt the natural hair growth cycle. When this happens, anagen hairs prematurely enter the telogen (resting phase), which can trigger more hair shedding than usual in the exogen phase8.
Nutritional deficiencies
Vitamins and minerals are important for normal hair cell growth, so there is evidence to suggest that nutritional deficiencies can also play a role in female hair fall.
Some deficiencies linked to hair fall are:
• Iron
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Folate (Vitamin B9)
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
• Biotin (Vitamin B7)
• Zinc9
Before you start taking any supplements or making significant dietary changes, it’s important to consult a qualified nutritionist or healthcare professional.
Breakage from damaging hair care habits
If you’re noticing an increase in hair fall that can’t be attributed to internal triggers above, it might be time to take a closer look at your hair care and styling habits. Excessive heat styling and chemical processing (bleach, dyeing, perming, relaxing, etc.) can result in heat damage and breakage.
Over time, tight hairstyles – such as ponytails, buns, tight braids and cornrows, weaves, and hair extensions – can also place tension on the hair follicles. This may result in diffuse thinning around the hairline.
Tips to help prevent and manage female hair fall
Depending on your individual triggers, hair fall solutions for women will look a little different for everyone. However, you can still support the vitality of strands with a handful of lifestyle and hair care changes to foster an environment for growth.
• Use fortifying hair products: Kérastase’s Genesis collection is enriched with anti-hair fall ingredients to help strengthen weakened hair. • Reduce stress levels: Managing stress can help regulate your hair’s natural growth cycle and may reduce premature shedding. • Eat a balanced, nutrient-dense diet: Consuming nutrient-rich foods can help support hair vitality and encourage new growth. • Be gentle with your strands: To help strengthen hair and stop breakage, cut back on heat styling, chemical treatments, and tight hair styles. • Consult a specialist: Remember, you don’t have to shoulder this burden alone. Reach out to a qualified specialist to illuminate remedy pathways.
If you’re experiencing female hair fall, you’ll know that styling and general hair maintenance can be challenging. Explore our guidance on what to avoid for thinning hair, next.
1https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2018/july/female-pattern-hair-loss
2https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27387253/
3https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/female-pattern-hair-loss
4https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004005.htm
5https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10092469/
6https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/postpartum-hair-loss
7https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/press-release/prevalence-of-hair-loss-in-postmenopausal-women.pdf
8https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/how-stress-causes-hair-loss
9https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6380979/
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