Causes of Female Hair Loss and 5 Natural Solutions
Hair loss can happen to anyone at any stage of life. But while hair loss, thinning, and balding is more socially acceptable in men, it can be particularly upsetting for women.
Let’s look at some of the main reasons for female hair loss as well as the best natural remedies to try as solutions.
Reasons for Female Hair Loss and Thinning
According to the Mayo Clinic, most of us lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day, but it’s not noticeable our scalp is always growing new hair at the same time. When hair loss or hair thinning occurs, the scalp is losing more hair than its growing.
Here are some of the most common reasons this could happen.
Poor Nutrition or Vitamin Deficiencies
Not eating a balanced diet or lacking important vitamins or minerals can cause issues like hair loss [1]. Eating a healthy diet is a great first step for improving overall health, including the health of your hair, skin, and nails.
See below for specific nutrients that might support healthy hair.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal shifts during your life, such as menopause, pregnancy, post-childbirth, may cause temporary hair loss in some women.
Underlying Medical Condition
If the female hair loss is the result of a medical condition, such as alopecia (an autoimmune disorder that attacks hair follicles), lupus, or diabetes, or thyroid disorders, the condition will need to be treated first.
If you notice sudden hair loss when washing or brushing your hair, speak with your doctor about the concern to make sure there isn’t a more serious underlying condition.
Emotional Stress
Emotional shock or intense stress can cause hair loosening. Someone might notice clumps of hair loss while washing or brushing her hair. In this case, the hair usually thins overall without any bald patches.
A variety of factors can cause intense emotional stress, including lifestyle changes, work stress, death of a loved one, relationship issues, or even surgery or sickness.
Genetics and Family History
For some people, hair loss is simply a part of their genetics, known as female-pattern baldness (or male-pattern baldness) where the hair thins with age.
This is most common in men, but it can also happen in women who have a family history of hair loss or thinning.
Medications
Some prescription medications, including those used for birth control, heart or blood pressure issues, arthritis, and cancer treatments, may interfere with the hair’s normal growth cycle and lead to hair loss or hair thinning.
In most cases, the hair comes back once the medication is stopped.
Hair Products or Treatments
We do a lot of crazy things to our hair. Pulling it back tight, chemical dyes or treatments, and heat-based products can all increase hair damage and loss.
These are some of the most common reasons for unusual hair loss.
5 Natural Solutions for Female Hair Loss
Now, let’s look at the best natural remedies for promoting healthier, stronger, thicker hair.
1. Eat Plenty of Protein and Healthy Fats
Most people don’t have the most nutritious diets, but proper nutrition is one of the best actions you can take for your hair’s health.
And it starts with protein. Your body needs adequate protein to keep hair growing and strong. Aim for a good serving of protein with every meal and snack. Good protein sources include:
- 3 ounces of fish, chicken, or turkey
- ½ of cooked beans
- 1 egg
- 6 ounces of unsweetened Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup of nuts or 2 tablespoons of nut butter
Healthy fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids are also important for a healthy diet. These “good fats” help lower inflammation in the body [2], promoting a healthier scalp.
Good sources of omega-3s include:
- Fish like salmon and sardines
- High-quality fish oil
- Walnuts
- Hemp, flax, and chia seeds
Besides proteins and fats, don’t forget the importance of fresh (preferably organic) produce!
Shoot for 6-10 servings of vegetables and 2-4 servings of fruits, especially berries, per day to give your body all the nutrients and antioxidants it needs for healthy living and longer, stronger hair.
2. Get Your Hair-Healthy Vitamin and Minerals
The following nutrients may be helpful for supporting healthy hair growth:
- Zinc
- Iron
- Niacin
- Folic acid
- Biotin
- Selenium
- Vitamins A, D, and E
- Saw Palmetto
Check with your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if you’re on other medications.
3. Care for Your Emotional Health
Remember that your mental health is just as important as physical health—and emotional stress can manifest as physical changes in the body. If stress could be a factor in hair loss, focus on ways to take care of your emotions:
- Pray daily
- Connect with loved friends and family regularly
- Talk through your concerns with a loved one, pastor, or therapist
- Make time for physical exercise or yoga
- Give yourself time to do things you love and that reduce stress
4. Be Gentle to Your Hair
Harsh treatments like perms, hot rollers, and even curling irons and straighteners should be avoided as much as possible.
Also, wash, brush, and comb your hair with care. Using a wide-toothed comb instead of a normal comb or brush can help reduce pulling. Also, use all-natural shampoos and conditioners that aren’t tough on your hair.
5. Additional Tips
While these natural solutions can be helpful for boosting hair health, nothing is a magical cure. So here are some helpful tips for managing and improving the appearance of female hair loss:
- Get a cute, shorter haircut. A style that doesn’t hang as long can improve the appearance of thinning hair.
- Scalp coloring products and certain hair dyes can help “fill in” thin areas on your head to cover up the color of your scalp underneath.
- Use natural haircare products that boost volume and make your hair look thicker.
- Ask your hairdresser about adding hair extensions to improve thickness and volume.
- Part your hair on the side to remove focus from the middle, which is where thinning happens the most.
At Nature’s Ideal, we offer several products designed to support hair health, including both supplements and all-natural hair care products. Shop our Hair, Skin, and Nails section here.
Disclaimer: Statements made have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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